Sports Briefs

CURLERS HEAD TO SASKATOON
National bragging rights will be up for grabs in Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan city will play host to the 2008 National Aboriginal Curling Championships. The event, which runs from Mar. 21 to 24, will be held at the Granite Curling Club.
The 2007 nationals were also held in Saskatchewan, in the town of Wynyard.
This year's Canadian bonspiel will feature a maximum of 72 teams, competing in four divisions.
The men's category has a 40-team limit. There's also a women's division, which can accommodate up to 16 teams.
The Canadian tournament will also offer youth divisions, both female and male, for those aged 19 and under. Both youth categories have a limit of eight entrants each.
Besides vying for national titles, teams will also be battling it out for some prize money. The winners of the men's division will take home $4,000 as well as championship jackets, not bad considering the team entry fee in this grouping is $400.
Several other men's team will also be awarded cash prizes. The second-place finishers will take home $2,000. The squads that place third and fourth will both be presented with $1,000 cheques. And teams that finish from fifth through 13th, will make $600 each.
The registration deadline is Mar. 14. For more information call (306) 833-2420 or (306) 833-7766.

ABORIGINAL SPORTS CHALLENGE

The 2010 Winter Olympics in B.C. are still a couple of years away, but some Aboriginal youth have already benefited from the Games' existence.
That's because of the Aboriginal Youth Sports Challenge, part of the 2010 Legacies Now program, which has been introduced.
The challenge, which is aimed at Aboriginal youth, consists of a day of inspiration, competition and fun.
Besides having the opportunity to meet some of Canada's top Aboriginal athletes, the challenge allows youth to be introduced to various winter sports. And they have a chance to test their athletic abilities.
The challenge is made up of two parts. All youngsters can take part in the SportFit component where participants are challenged at various stations. Event stations include vertical jump, trunk flexion, basketball throw and 800-metre run.
There's also a Talent ID part to the challenge. Here participants can discover what it takes to be a top athlete. Challenge stations include a 30-metre sprint, push ups and a box jump.

SOURAY'S SEASON OVER

Sheldon Souray's homecoming was nowhere near as pleasant as he had anticipated.
Souray, a Native of Elk Point, Alta., was regarded as one of the National Hockey League's top free agents last summer.
Souray, who had suited up for the New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens in his first eight NHL seasons, opted to return to his home province and sign a five-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
But Souray, who was coming off a season in Montreal where he registered career bests in goals (26) and points (64), was never really able to get on track with the Oilers.
The 31-year-old Souray appeared in just 26 games (he had 10 points, including just three goals) for Edmonton this season before injuries forced him out of the lineup for the remainder of this season in early February.
Souray underwent surgery to repair a separated shoulder and a torn labrum and bicep.
The Oilers, who are paying Souray more than $5 million per season, are hoping their star blueliner is fully recovered in time for next season.