National Sports

MOSCOW (AP) — When Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday to drug possession in a Russian court, hopes rose that her months of detention could soon be over, either through a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap or a pardon from President Vladimir Putin.

SAINT CATHARINES, Ont. — Wayne Gretzky has become a minority owner in the Ontario Hockey League's Niagara IceDogs. The transfer of the club to majority owner Darren DeDobbelaer was announced Thursday by the league.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings have hired former star goaltender Manon Rheaume to a front-office position, furthering the recent trend of women landing high-profile jobs with NHL teams.

MONTREAL (AP) — Moves are already happening around the NHL several hours before the draft begins, with the reigning Stanley Cup winners making a move to shore up their goaltending situation and a recent back-to-back champion ensuring a long-time defe

OTTAWA — Canadian figure skater Veronik Mallet announced her retirement from competitive skating on Thursday. The 28-year-old from Sept-Îles, Que., Que.

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions have signed American offensive lineman Kent Perkins to a two-year contract extension.

TORONTO — Swimmer Kayla Sanchez, a relay Olympic medallist for Canada, has switched countries to represent the Philippines. The 21-year-old swam the leadoff leg for Canada in a silver-medal effort last summer in Tokyo in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay.

VANCOUVER — Staying calm and focused late in matches has allowed the Vancouver Whitecaps to snatch results from the jaws of defeat.

TORONTO — Canada's under-23 women's team improved to 2-0 in the inaugural Globl Jam basketball tournament on Wednesday with a 78-69 victory against the winless United States.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Bo Bichette hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied past the Oakland Athletics 2-1 on Wednesday to snap a five-game losing streak. “We needed it,” Bichette said.