National Sports

MOSCOW — The head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency has asked President Vladimir Putin for help in getting key doping data released to World Anti-Doping Agency inspectors.

TORONTO — It's the proverbial calm before the storm. Both the CFL and its players are enjoying some down time over the holidays.

Ottawa Senators starting goaltender Craig Anderson and defenceman Justin Falk are out at least through the weekend with concussions.

MEXICO CITY — CFL scouts will have a chance to evaluate and recruit Mexican football players next month. The CFL announced Thursday that Mexico's Liga de Futbol Americano Professional (LFA) will host a combine Jan.

BUENA, N.J. — An attorney for a New Jersey high school wrestler forced by a referee to cut his dreadlocks before a match to avoid a forfeit says the boy's family won't pursue legal action.

NEW YORK — Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid and Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews will be two of the four team captains at the NHL all-star weekend next month in San Jose.

TORONTO — While the Raptors and Maple Leafs plan championship runs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is looking at the bigger picture. MLSE is thinking national and global. "Our largest fan base is not in (Scotiabank Arena) every night.

MONTREAL — Mikael Kingsbury never had so much to lose as on Feb. 12, when he hit the track at the Phoenix Snow Park.

VANCOUER, B.C. — Maxime Comtois may be the captain of Canada's junior hockey team but the 19-year-old says he isn't alone. "We're all leaders on this team. We're all wearing a C or an A somewhere in our club team," said the left-winger.

VICTORIA — The Americans waited until the third period to turn it on against Slovakia and avoid an upset.