National Sports

CALGARY — The local talent on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster made decisions to come home during their football careers.

TORONTO — Khem Birch said there's virtually no argument for skipping Canada's Olympic qualifying tournament.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — New Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe spent a decent chunk of a 30-minute morning skate on Thursday teaching instead of running drills. There's a lot for his new team to learn and not much time to do it.

TORONTO — What stands out to Kevin Abrams about Sheldon Keefe above everything else has been his ability to change — in hockey, and most importantly, in life.

CALGARY — Jim Lawson's time as CFL board chairman will end this weekend. Two CFL sources say Lawson will step down from his post following the Grey Cup game Sunday.

LIVERPOOL, England — Canadian international Janine Beckie scored to help defending champion Manchester City defeat Everton 4-1 in Continental League Cup play Thursday. Beckie's goal came off a corner in the 36th minute.

The Western Hockey League is undecided on the future of a charitable program featuring Don Cherry.

CALGARY — He's an imaginative playcaller and regarded as an offensive genius, but Tommy Condell's biggest strength is subscribing to the most basic of coaching principles: Creating a system showcasing a player's ability.

Goaltender Dylan Myskiw always believed he would catch on with another team after being released from the Western Hockey League's Edmonton Oil Kings. He just didn't think he would have to change leagues to make it happen.

CALGARY — He's an imaginative playcaller and regarded as an offensive genius, but Tommy Condell's biggest strength is subscribing to the most basic of coaching principles: Creating a system showcasing a player's ability.