National Sports

CALGARY — The Western Hockey League has announced that its regular season will open on Jan. 8, 2021.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators avoided arbitration with Nick Paul, signing the forward to a two-year contract with an average annual value of US$1.35 million on Wednesday. It marks the first one-way contract of the 25-year-old Paul's career.

Montreal Impact midfielder and designated player Saphir Taider has been transferred to Saudi Arabia's Al Ain FC. The 28-year-old Algerian international had four goals and six assists in 11 games for Montreal this season.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenceman Nelson Nogier on a two-year, two-way contract. The deal carries an average annual value of US$725,000 in the NHL.

GUELPH, Ont. — Canadian wrestler Korey Jarvis, who won a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, announced his retirement Wednesday. Jarvis, from Elliot Lake, Ont.

The cancellation of Skate Canada International didn't come as a surprise to Kirsten Moore-Towers. It was still a huge disappointment.

VANCOUVER — Michael Baldisimo is the kind of midfielder who shows no fear as he strips opponents of the ball.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Canada's Denis Shapovalov was very pleased with his effort in his return to hard-court play. The second-seeded Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., beat Serbia's Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-3 in a first-round match at the St.

CALGARY — An facilitator of international skiing in Canada has died. Darrell MacLachlan was chief of race for men's alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, B.C., and the annual World Cup downhill races in Lake Louise, Alta.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltender Jake Allen to a two-year contract extension. The deal, which kicks in for the 2021-22 campaign, is worth US$2.875 million per season. Montreal acquired Allen in a trade with St. Louis on Sept.