National Sports

TORONTO — As far as apologies go, the offering from Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters in the wake of allegations he used a racial slur 10 years ago was not exactly the new normal.

After making her senior debut Nov. 7 against Brazil, 15-year-old Olivia Smith is back with her peers as the Canadian under-17 team prepares for next year's CONCACAF U-17 Championship.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe says backup goaltender Michael Hutchinson will start the first of back-to-back games when Toronto visits the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. No.

MONTREAL — While Wayne Simmonds calls the Akim Aliu-Bill Peters story "extremely disheartening," he hopes it leads to better days for hockey. New Jersey Devils teammate P.K. Subban feels much the same way.

TORONTO — Once the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Grey Cup hangover subsides, GM Kyle Walters will have some work to do leading up the start of CFL free agency in February.

CALGARY — Punter Rob Maver is calling it a career after 10 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. Maver announced his retirement Thursday.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi will make his Formula One debut for the struggling Williams team next season as a replacement for veteran driver Robert Kubica.

Akim Aliu is not happy with the apology Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters issued for a racial slur he allegedly used when both were in the minors 10 years ago.

As expected, Canada has dropped out of the top six of CONCACAF countries in the latest FIFA rankings.

Trinity Ellis is representing the future of Canada's luge team on the World Cup circuit this season. The teenager is showing her potential after just one race. Ellis, from Pemberton, B.C.