National Sports

HAMILTON — Alexis Lafreniere has raised some eyebrows. Heading into the world junior hockey championship, there was no doubting the projected No.

OTTAWA — Gerard Gallant began the year with his Vegas Golden Knights in first place in the Pacific Division and news he would be coaching in the upcoming NHL all-star game.

Jack Hughes already had a full plate coming into this season. First overall pick, tons of hype, potential face of the New Jersey Devils for the next decade or more. Things, however, haven't quite gone according to plan.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenceman Caleb Jones to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season. The 22-year-old Jones has appeared in 23 games with the Oilers this season, posting three assists and six penalty minutes.

EDMONTON — Former Ottawa Redblacks defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe is taking the same job with the Edmonton Eskimos. New Eskimos head coach Scott Milanovich announced some of his staff on Wednesday.

Kia Nurse's side hustle is halfway around the world. For the second consecutive WNBA off-season, the 23-year-old from Hamilton, Ont., is playing in Australia for the Canberra Capitals, who she led to a WNBL championship last spring.

TORONTO — The Calgary Flames just want to move on. They want to stop answering questions about left-winger Matthew Tkachuk's feud with Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian and they want to put a disappointing 2-0 loss to the Canadiens behind them.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Canada's mixed curling team suffered its first and only loss at the wrong time at the Youth Olympics. Japan scored one in an extra end to beat Canada 5-4 in quarterfinal action on Wednesday.

MONTREAL — Ballou Tabla's return to the Montreal Impact was made permanent Wednesday with the midfielder coming to terms on a two-year contract with two option years.

JOHANNESBURG — Oliver Davies hit 94 not out Wednesday as Australia made short work of Canada, posting a nine-wicket victory in a warmup match ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.