National Sports

Canada opens defence of its Sydney women's rugby sevens title on Thursday. The Canadian women defeated the U.S. 21-17 in last year's final.

OTTAWA — Canadian captain Christine Sinclair officially joined the ranks of the Order of Canada on Wednesday, billed as "the greatest player to have ever laced up soccer cleats for Team Canada." The 34-year-old from Burnaby, B.C.

TORONTO — No stranger to being first through the door, Paul Beirne is feeling bullish about the Canadian Premier League. Beirne was a Day 1 employee at Toronto FC.

TORONTO — MLS champion Toronto FC continues its search for help on the right side and an attacking player.

CALGARY — The Calgary Roughnecks lacrosse team says a Saskatchewan Rush fan who dresses up as the Incredible Hulk can come to this weekend's game, but he can't act as an opposition team mascot.

TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan — Canada's Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus skated a personal best score to put them in third place after Wednesday's short dance at the ISU Four Continents figure skating championships.

Cory Paterson will be hard to miss with the Toronto Wolfpack this season. "I'm bald, I've got a lot of tattoos and I'm pretty tall," the 30-year-old forward said with a chuckle. "That's what you've got to look out for — the bald tattooed Aussie.

LANSING, Mich.

CALGARY — The Calgary Roughnecks say a Saskatchewan Rush fan who dresses up as the Incredible Hulk can come to this weekend's lacrosse game, but he can't act as a team mascot.

LANSING, Mich.