National Sports

TORONTO — Tennis Canada's mission to get a racket into the hands of more recreational players is working. A new study commissioned by Tennis Canada and released on Monday shows that the sport has nearly reached pre-pandemic levels of participation.

Time has done little to erase Theo Benedet's disappointment. On Nov. 25, the towering University of British Columbia tackle capped a decorated college football career playing in the Vanier Cup.

REGINA — Anthony Lanier II will be returning for a fourth season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. According to a league source, the six-foot-six, 285-pound defensive lineman signed a one-year contract extension with the CFL club Monday.

CALGARY — Team captain Marie-Philip Poulin and defender Ella Shelton are among the players looking to build on strong seasons in the Professional Women's Hockey League when the Rivalry Series between Canada and the United States resumes next month.

HAMILTON — Forge FC has re-signed key veteran Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson. The 27-year-old Swede has been ever-present for the Hamilton-based side, making a club-leading 147 appearances over five seasons from 2019 to 2023.

CALGARY — Dave Dickenson will have two newcomers to his Calgary Stampeders coaching staff this season.

NEW YORK — Tampa Bay right-wing Nikita Kucherov, Edmonton centre Connor McDavid and Florida left-wing Matthew Tkachuk have been named the NHL's three stars of the week.

WINNIPEG — Auston Matthews credited hard work and consistency for scoring his NHL-leading 40th goal of the season and reaching a special milestone in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brayden Schenn scored 1:04 into overtime to help the St. Louis Blues beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on Sunday for their season-best fifth consecutive win. Jordan Kyrou had one goal and two assists for St.

Sunday's Scoreboard NFL Conference Championships Kansas City 17 Baltimore 10 San Francisco 34 Detroit 31 --- NHL St.