National Sports

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Olivier Rodrigue is fine with the weight of a hockey nation resting on his lean shoulders. In truth, it's a responsibility he's always craved. "I embrace the challenge," said the 19-year-old goalie from Chicoutimi, Que.

LIMA, Peru — Here are five Canadian athletes/teams to watch on Thursday at the Pan American Games: MYRIAM DA SILVA (BOXING) The Chambly, Que., fighter goes for gold in the women's welterwieght division. Da Silva battles American Oshae Jones.

LIMA, Peru — Ellie Black became Canada's most decorated Pan American gymnast on Tuesday after winning gold in the women's vault competition and following with a bronze in uneven bars.

TORONTO — Canadians Leylah Annie Fernandez and Eugenie Bouchard will join Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams as wild-card entries at the upcoming Rogers Cup women's event in Toronto.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are now Dane Evans’ team. Evans becomes Hamilton's starter after incumbent Jeremiah Masoli suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Ticats’ 23-15 home win over the previously unbeaten Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night.

MIAMI — Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti, an undersized overachiever who helped lead the Miami Dolphins to the NFL's only perfect season, has died at the age of 78.

TORONTO — Winnipeg defensive back Winston Rose, Montreal running back William Stanback and Saskatchewan defensive end Charleston Hughes are the CFL top performers for July. Rose had five interceptions in four games in July to double his career total.

CALGARY — Quinton Byfield is a bow-tie man. The Sudbury Wolves forward collects them. "Probably own 20 and funky ones too," he said. Byfield might push the sartorial envelope at the 2020 NHL draft in Montreal.

Jamie Romak received countless text messages from friends across the world when video surfaced of the Canadian player dressed as a 1950's army general at the Korean Baseball Organization's all-star game this month.

Tuesday's Games MLB American League Houston 2 Cleveland 0 Tampa Bay 6 Boston 5 Seattle 8 Texas 5 Toronto 9 Kansas City 2 L.A. Angels 6 Detroit 1 National League Philadelphia 4 San Francisco 2 Atlanta 11 Washington 8 Pittsburgh 11 Cincinnati 4 St.