National Sports

BURNABY, B.C. — Fred VanVleet stepped into the middle of a semicircle of reporters on Wednesday, his hands resting on a gaudy faux gold WWE championship belt cinched around his waist.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is writing off the second of two loan segments that helped finance a new stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

TORONTO — John Gibbons got a chance to say goodbye Wednesday at Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays made the long-expected announcement that the longtime Toronto manager would not return for the 2019 season.

WINNIPEG — Running back Andrew Harris was back practising with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Wednesday. Harris left Winnipeg's 31-14 win over Montreal on Friday night in the second quarter with an apparent knee injury.

TORONTO — The last line of Toronto FC's defence, goalkeeper Alex Bono has taken a beating this year. Defending is an 11-man responsibility so there is plenty of blame to share when your team is on pace for a franchise-worst 66 goals-against.

REGINA — Chris Jones isn't taking any chances. The Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach/GM said Thursday receiver Naaman Roosevelt (knee) won't play Sunday afternoon in Montreal versus the Alouettes.

HAMILTON — Head coach June Jones expects to have one of his big-play performers back with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' offence. Receiver Brandon Banks practised at full speed Wednesday as the Ticats prepared to host the B.C. Lions on Saturday afternoon.

BURNABY, B.C. — Norm Powell was one of the Toronto Raptors' most impactful players in their 2017 post-season run to the Eastern Conference final.

Last season marked the first time since 1966-67 that no NHL team fired its head coach during the season.

The Toronto Argonauts have found themselves in a most unenviable position.