National Sports

TAMPA, Fla. — After a rough start to the season, the Toronto Raptors appear to be finding their way.

TAMPA — Raptors coach Nick Nurse says he will watch with interest the fallout of last week's blockbuster four-team trade that sent James Harden from Houston to Brooklyn. He called it a "hell of a story.

The long wait to learn who will represent Alberta at the national curling championships is over. The decision provided some clarity on the wild-card front too.

MONTREAL — CF Montreal sacrificed offence for defence Monday, trading Argentine forward Maxi Urruti to the Houston Dynamo for centre back Kiki Struna.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks have re-signed linebacker Jerod Fernandez, wide receiver Jalen Saunders and running back Timothy Flanders. Fernandez joined the Redblacks during the 2019 season after spending time with Washington in the NFL.

He's coached in both Kansas City and Buffalo, but former Montreal Alouettes coach Marv Levy will be firmly behind the Bills this weekend.

Toronto-based welterweight Samuel Vargas will face unbeaten Conor (The Destroyer) Benn on April 10 in the United Kingdom.

CALGARY — The Canadian women's hockey team has opened a 35-player camp in a Calgary "bubble." The 14-day camp is the first physical gathering of national-team players in months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ZURICH — The hockey world championships were pulled from Belarus on Monday following pressure from opposition groups and a threatened boycott by sponsors.

Canadian Michael Woods says he hopes to ride in the Tour de France ahead of the Tokyo Olympics this summer.