National Sports

HOUSTON — The James Harden soap opera in Houston now comes with a cancelled season opener — and a $50,000 fine for the league's leading scorer.

TORONTO — The NHL released its schedule for the 2020-21 season Wednesday, but Ontario's minister of sport said discussions are still ongoing about how the all-Canadian North division will operate.

TAMPA, Fla. — Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell is listed as available for Wednesday night's season opener against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. Powell was listed as questionable earlier in the day.

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed homegrown offensive linemen Dan Clark and Brendon LaBatte through the 2022 season. The Regina-born Clark was a CFL all-star in 2019, helping the Roughriders score a league-high 26 rushing touchdowns.

Toronto FC striker Ayo Akinola will get a chance to see how the other half lives next month at a Canadian national team camp in Florida.

LONDON — Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier was banned from football for 10 weeks on Wednesday for breaching betting rules in a punishment from The English Football Association that applies worldwide.

TORONTO — The Ontario Hockey League has delayed the February start of its 2020-21 season. The OHL announced Wednesday the season will not start on Feb. 4, the date targeted earlier this year.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Michael Frolik to a one-year, US$750,000 contract. The 32-year-old Frolik played 57 games last season with the Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres, registering six goals and eight assists.

Steve Bauer, a Canadian cycling icon, likes what he sees in his new role as sports director of Astana. The 61-year-old from Fenwick, Ont., who now calls St. Catharines, Ont., home, joined the joint Kazakh-Canadian team in late November.

EDMONTON — Canadian international midfielder Kyle Porter is returning to his soccer roots, signing with FC Edmonton for the 2021 Canadian Premier League season.