National Sports

TORONTO — Two teams with their eyes on the future showcased a couple of top prospects in the opener of an interleague series on Friday night at Rogers Centre.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Joakim Nygard to a one-year, entry-level contract. Nygard, 26, has just completed his seventh season in the Swedish Hockey League, all with Farjestad BK.

VANCOUVER — A gruelling stretch for the Vancouver Whitecaps has resulted in some injuries, but players say it also has created a closer-knit squad.

The Gotzis decathlon in Austria is a storied annual event, but another sporting topic keeps popping up at the track this week.

TORONTO — By now, Drake's relentless grandstanding on behalf of his beloved Toronto Raptors is to be expected. And so too, then, is the wrath of Milwaukee Bucks' fans now excoriating the Canadian rapper for a series of escalating taunts.

WINNIPEG — Willie Jefferson thought there would be some backlash when he left the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Turns out he was right.

SHEFFIELD, England — The Toronto Wolfpack ran in eight tries Friday to extend their winning streak to nine games with a 42-16 win over the Sheffield Eagles in Betfred Championship rugby league play.

TORONTO — Recently retired Canadian hooker Ray Barkwill is joining the coaching staff of Canada's under-18 rugby team for its July international series. The 38-year-old native of Niagara Falls, Ont.

TORONTO — One of the founding owners of the Toronto Raptors says he feels like a proud parent as the basketball team prepares for its biggest game in franchise history this weekend.

SAGUENAY, Que. — Olympic short-track speedskating champion Samuel Girard has announced his retirement from the sport. The 22-year-old from Ferland-et-Boilleau, Que.