National Hockey

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes' didn't have a captain last season. Now they have two — forward Jordan Staal and defenceman Justin Faulk.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets will open the new season on Friday night with a new superstar, some impressive rookies and a familiar player — captain Nick Foligno — in a new position.

VANCOUVER — Brock Boeser spent some nervous days in his hotel room, wondering if he had done enough in training camp and pre-season to stick with the Vancouver Canucks.

TORONTO — Vancouver defenceman Erik Gudbranson is part of a dwindling group of players in the NHL that still chooses to play without a visor. Not even a broken orbital bone in his second season could convince him to start wearing one.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators signed defenceman Mark Borowiecki to a US$2.4-million, two-year contract extension on Thursday. Borowiecki had three points in a career-high 70 games last season and led the NHL in hits (364) and penalty minutes (154).

TORONTO — With hockey season now underway, here's something for fans to take to heart: a new study suggests the excitement of watching one's favourite team, either live or on TV, can have a profound effect on the cardiovascular system, in some cases

EDMONTON — An Edmonton police officer attacked last weekend was honoured by the Oilers ahead of their home opener against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.

TORONTO — Even before the puck dropped on the NHL season, Canada's teams were in competition with each other on social media.

PITTSBURGH — Alex Pietrangelo beat Matt Murray 1:15 into overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — With a couple of key deflections, Wayne Simmonds helped answer any questions that came up in the preseason about the potency of Philadelphia's power play.