NHL
– The Hurricanes have signed F Alexander Semin to a 1-year/$7M contract. Semin recorded 21 goals and 33 assists in 77 games with the Capitals last season. His 21 markers was a career-low during his six seasons since the lockout, yet matched a career-high in games played.
– Bruins’ G Tim Thomas made another political statement on his Facebook page on Thursday, supporting American sandwich chain Chick-fil-A. The chain’s owner Dan Cathy, has drawn plenty of backlash for funding organizations fighting same-sex marriage and was recently quoted saying he supported, “the biblical definition of the family unit.” ”I stand with Chick-fil-A,” wrote Thomas on his Facebook account.
“Chick-fil-A is privately owned by the Cathy family. The company president, Dan Cathy, drew the wrath of gay rights advocates and supporters when he made recent statements that some have alleged are anti-gay. Cathy told Baptist Press that the company was unapologetically in favor of traditional marriage. ‘Guilty as charged,’ he said. ‘We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.’ In a separate interview on the Ken Coleman Show – Cathy suggested that the nation could face God’s wrath over the redefinition of marriage. I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,’ Cathy said. ‘I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we would have the audacity to try to redefine what marriage is all about.’”
– According to TSN’s Aaron Ward, the Red Wings have pulled out of negotiations with UFA F Shane Doan because his asking price is “too high.” Doan would have been a great fit in Detroit, who has been extremely quiet this offseason after losing a number of players this summer. Doan is reportedly meeting with the Canadiens next week. The Sharks, Canucks, Kings, Rangers and Penguins are all in the mix.
– The Rangers have re-signed free-agent D Anton Stralman to a 2-year/$3.4M contract. The 25-year-old collected two goals and 16 assists in 53 games, while posting a career-best plus-9 rating for the Rangers last year.
– The Senators have bought out F Bobby Butler, making him a UFA. He would have made $1.2M in 2012-13 and his cap hit would have been $1.05M.
– The Red Wings and Maple Leafs today announced that former Detroit coaches Scotty Bowman and Barry Smith will be behind the bench against former Toronto coaches Red Kelly and Pat Quinn at the 2012 Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings Alumni Showdown on New Year’s Eve at Comerica Park, part of the NHL’s Winter Classic festivities. The winningest bench boss in NHL history with 1,244 career victories, Bowman has been a part of 12 Stanley Cup-winning teams, including a league-record nine as a head coach. Bowman helped direct the Red Wings to three Cup titles (1997, 1998 and 2002) and retired from coaching while skating with the Cup following Detroit’s 10th Stanley Cup in 2002. Smith was with the Red Wings from 1994-2005 and was part of three Stanley Cup championship teams with Detroit following two titles as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Red Kelly, the eight-time Stanley Cup winner and first James Norris Memorial Trophy recipient, coached Toronto to four consecutive playoff appearances from 1973 to 1977. He will join forces with the NHL’s fourth winningest coach and two-time Jack Adams Award winner Pat Quinn, who also led Team Canada to back-to-back world titles with a gold medal in the 2002 Olympics followed by the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
– The Oilers have signed D Alex Plante and F Chris VandeVelde to 1-year contracts Thursday. Plante, 23, had one goal and 12 assists in 38 games last season with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate Oklahoma City Barons. VandeVelde, 25, had seven goals and 16 assists in 68 games with the Barons last season.
WWE
– According to TribLive News, The Great Khali had to have a tumor removed from his pituitary gland at UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The tumor removed during a four-hour procedure on Wednesday led to the growth spurt that caused Singh to achieve a height of 7 feet, 1 inch and a weight of 347 pounds, according to UPMC neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon, who led the surgical team. Maroon said Thursday the tumor causes a condition called acromegaly, which can be fatal if left untreated. Khali is expected to recover within 2-3 months.
– Making the online wrestling news rounds is video from is 2003 Rap Battle with John Cena. NSFW, but check it out:
– Chris Jericho is now officially being advertised for the post-SummerSlam RAW, which will take place in Fresno, California on August 20.
– According to the PWInsider, Money In The Bank briefcase holder Dolph Ziggler is in line for an eventual World Heavyweight title run, likely this year. Ziggler has been winning everybody over with his work rate and his ability to bump around the ring in ways that make his opponents look like a million bucks. Because of his willingness and ability to take convincing looking bumps, many of WWE’s top babyface wrestlers are eager to work with him.
– Ric Flair was absent backstage at the 1,000th RAW on Monday. Many in the WWE believe that Flair will be back with the mega company eventually, but they are being cautious because of the recent TNA/WWE lawsuit. The company officially said they were not actively pursuing Flair in a filing related to the suit and have no desire to give evidence to the contrary.
– At Thursday night’s WWE NXT tapings from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Floroda, Seth Rollins defeated Jinder Mahal to become the first ever NXT Champion. After the match, Triple H and Dusty Rhodes came to the ring and raised Seth’s arm in victory. He was awarded the new NXT Championship belt. WWE taped 3 NXT shows at this week’s tapings. Check out this picture of Seth Rollins with the NXT Championship:
– THQ has recently updated the official roster for WWE ’13 video game. Here are the names revealed so far: CM Punk, John Cena, Sheamus, Mark Henry, Steve Austin, Mike Tyson, Chris Jericho, Mankind, Big Show, Miz, Undertaker, Attitude era Mark Henry from the Nation of Domination The game is slated for a October 30 release date. THQ has also released these new game features:
WWE Live will let players experience the atmosphere of a live WWE event, including authentic sound effects, crowd participation levels and compelling commentary, as well as attention-grabbing “Spectacular Moments” – impressive maneuvers like ring breaks and barricade crashes captured with multiple camera angles.
Predator Technology 2.0 will provide a gameplay experience that’s smoother than ever, with hundreds of new animations.
– Arda Ocal from TheScore sat down with Mick Foley after his appearance at Raw 1000th. Here are some highlights from the interview.
On RAW 1000: “I personally got a kick out of it. I had said previously that I would have liked to do something more substantial (at RAW 1000) like cut a serious promo, but there will be time – I can do that 2 months from now, for example. Looking at the legends dressing room, 2 things were noticeable – how fortunate we were to be among those selected to take part in RAW 1000, and this one is very telling, it was a locker room full of legends and they’re talking about Heath Slater and how much they enjoyed their interaction with him”
On playing at ‘Just for Laughs’ and how important that is: “Montreal, because there’s so many indsutry people there, it can be a tough crowd. They’re not necessarily going to laugh at everything, but they’ll take it in and I’m hoping that some of my fans will attend and make it an exciting atmosphere”
Announced an all-but-confirmed WWE involved comedy show to happen immediately after Summerslam in Los Angeles at another venue in the city: “I guess I can announce it here right? Big show, in the United States, California…Post SummerSlam comedy show at The Improv in Hollywood. It’s a done deal, I just have to figure out who’s on it. The woman at The Improv is asking if I want her to book other comics, and I’m like ‘Give me a few days, because if I can get the WWE stamp of approval, I’d love to have Santino host it, I’d love to have William Regal share some stories, I’d love to have J.R. share some stories and then I’ll do my thing. And then at the end we all come out, and it doesn’t matter how good or bad any of us do individually, I think people are going to love that atmosphere and they get the guys they like doing what they like them to see.”
On the WWE Hall of Fame and when he’d like to go in: “I do hope it’s this year. It would mean a lot to me honestly. One of the most telling moments of my relationship with WWE is when I got the phone call asking if I’d mind if they mentioned my book on their show when I was working with another company. When I heard the book being mentioned, every reservation I had or any semblance of bitterness vanished you know. I used to go around, not making a big deal out of [the WWE Hall of Fame]. Its like being in a relationship, if you give too much of yourself you risk being hurt. So if I said ‘Oh of course I’d love to be in the Hall of Fame’ I’d be letting them have that and make my career seem less important if I didn’t get it.”
On who he’d like to induct him: “I think who it would come down to is one of two people, Terry Funk or Jim Ross. It would hurt me to not have one of them there, because Terry, he was a mentor and wrestler. And J.R. put his reputation, possibly his job on the line to bring me in because Vince was not sold believe it or not on Mick Foley, he was not a Mick Foley fan when I came into the company and it took quite a while for him to become one.”
– Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Wildfire” Tommy Rich turns 56 years old today, while Ring of Honor star Roderick Strong turns 29.
– The Pioneer Press in Minnesota printed an article on the death of Jack Danielson, who wrestled as Blackjack Daniels in the AWA, The Southeast and Mid-West. Danielson, also worked under the name Jack “The Ripper” Daniels was trained Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills. He worked a number of territories in the 1960s and 1970s, mostly working as the protege of his trailers. He and Mills worked regularly in the Missouri-Kansas area in the 60s, feuding with the Medics for the Central States tag team championship drew quite a few huge crowds. Danielson was 83.
– WWE spokesman Brian Flinn recently spoke out on the latest criticism aimed at WWE during Linda McMahon’s Connecticut Senate campaign, claiming that the WWE TV product is violent. Linda’s chief opponent, Chris Shays, has previously stated that McMahon benefited from violence and brutality as CEO of WWE. Here is what Flinn had to say:
“WWE’s 13 million weekly TV viewers and our 100 million social media followers would disagree that WWE’s content is violent. WWE programming is TV-PG and family friendly, with women making up nearly 40% of our audience. Contrary to the assertion about our content, WWE is in the business of putting smiles on people’s faces.”
– Here is an updated list of wrestling related books due out for the rest of 2012.
7/31 WWE My Favorite Match by Jon Robinson
8/31 Rastlin: A Southern Survey by David McClister and David Lewis
9/1 Booker T: From Prison to Promise: Life Before the Squared Circle by Booker T Huffman and Andrew William Wright
9/1 Red Headed Geek: My Short and Painful Career as a Rasslin’ Manager by Billy C. Wirtz
9/3 WWE Encyclopedia Second Edition by Brian Shields and Kevin Sullivan.
9/27 WWE General Manager’s Handbook by Jake Black
10/1 Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons by Steven Johnson, Greg Oliver and Mike Mooneyham featuring a foreword by JJ Dillon.
10/1 A Battle Royal in the Sky: The Life and Death of Wrestling’s 100 Greatest Gods and Gimmicks by Rich Tarantino and Jon Chattman
12/1 Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story by Jimmy Snuka and Jon Chattman with forewords by Mick Foley and Roddy Piper
Books that are due to be releeased in 2013.
2/1/13 The 50 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All Time: The Definitive Shoot by Larry Matysik
2/1/13 Harley Race King of the Ring (paperback) by Harley Race and Gerry Tritz
2/1/13 Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs: The Untold Story of How Montreal Shaped the World of Wrestling by Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hebert
– The following is a video preview for the new NBC reality show “Stars Earn Stripes,” which will feature WWE Diva Eve Torres competing with other celebrities to earn money for military charities:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-YGeCvdPE&feature=player_embedded
NBA
– The Hornets, Suns and Wolves have officially completed a three-way deal. The Hornets receive F Robin Lopez, F Hakim Warrick and cash; the Suns acquired F Wesley Johnson, a future 1st-round pick, F Jerome Dyson and F Brad Miller; and the Wolves acquired two future 2nd-round picks. In addition, the Wolves have also completed a 2-year/$20M contract with F Andrei Kirilenko. Lopez is expected to receive a 3-year/$15M contract with the Hornets and should slide into the starting centre spot. Lopez has career averages of 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks, but he’s never averaged more than 20 minutes per game in a single season. AK-47′s second season on the contract is a player option. He has career averages of 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.0 blocks on 47% shooting and should also start in Minny.
– Bulls’ F Joakim Noah (sprained ankle) said that he’s still not 100%, more than two months after suffering the initial injury. Noah was diagnosed with a severely sprained ankle at the beginning of May when the Bulls were still in the postseason. “My ankle is feeling a lot better. It’s not 100%. i’m rehabbing it in NYC. It’s one of the reasons that I’m not playing in the Olympics this year, to make sure it’s 100 percent for the NBA season.” Noah should still be fine for training camp.
– Check out this footage of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson scrimmaging during the 1992 USA Dream Team run:
Now, check out this year’s ‘Dream Team’:
– Hornets’ G Austin Rivers (right ankle) underwent a cleanup procedure. The surgery was to “clean up bone spurs in his right ankle.” The No. 10 overall pick is expected to be ready for training camp.
– F Omer Asik has officially joined the Rockets on a 3-year/$25M contract.
– Check out NBA legend Karl Malone having fun with a Scion IQ:
– The Mavericks have re-signed free-agent G Delonte West. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 24.1 minutes in 44 games with the Mavs last season.
– Commissioner David Stern told USA Today that there’s no timetable for a decision on whether or not to switch to a 23-and-under format for the Olympics. ”This is not an urgent issue. This is just an opportunity to have an intelligent conversation with our friends at FIBA. Nothing is definitive.”
– The Suns have re-signed G Shannon Brown to a 2-year contract. Brown averaged 11 points and 2.7 rebounds in a career-high 23.7 minutes per game last season. He appeared in 59 games, 19 as a starter.
– The Cavaliers have acquired G Jeremy Pargo, a 2014 2nd-round draft pick and cash considerations from the Grizzlies for G D.J. Kennedy. Pargo, 26, played in 44 games with Memphis last season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 assists in 9.7 minutes. In 2010-11, Pargo played in the Israel Premier League and averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 27.1 minutes. Kennedy appeared in two games for the Cavaliers last season and averaged six points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
– The Wolves have officially signed G Alexey Shved, 23.
– Suns’ president Brad Casper has resigned to focus on outside business ventures, and will be replaced by COO Jason Rowley. Lon Babby will continue serving as president of basketball operations. Casper oversaw the Suns’ business operations since October. He joined the Suns following a nearly 6-year-long stint as president and CEO of the Dial Corporation and its successor, Henkel Consumer Goods Inc. He has been executive chairman of a Dallas-based sports nutrition company since March 2011.
TNA
– Velvet Sky, who developed a rabid following courtesy of her skimpy attire and suggestive ring entrances, is gone from TNA Impact Wrestling. The wrestling starlet announced Thursday that she has been granted her release from the organization.
“I have been granted my release by TNA at this time. It’s what’s best for me right now and I wanted to thank TNA and all the fans for their constant support in me. Stay tuned though.”
“And I also want to thank Vince Russo for creating and believing in the team of The Beautiful People. We had a great run! @Actualalove.”
Multiple online outlets reported this week that the popular female grappler was parting ways with TNA due to a contract dispute. She had been with the organization since the inception of the Knockouts division in October 2007.
– According to the PWInsider, Spike TV indicated Wednesday that there have been talks of maintaining Impact Wrestling as a live program on Thursday nights once its scheduled run concludes at the end of the summer. If no commitment is made, TNA will resume taping the program on a bi-weekly basis.
NFL
– The Saints have signed P Thomas Morstead to a 6-year/$21.9M contract extension through 2018. The deal makes him the third-highest paid punter in the NFL. Morstead is one of the league’s best punters, as well as a kickoff specialist. Pro Football Focus notes that no full-time punter allowed fewer than Morstead’s 116 return yards last season.
– According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers’ unsigned RFA WR Mike Wallace has taken the lead and is “driving the bus” from agent Bus Cook on the decision to sit out training camp practices. Per beat writer Ed Bouchette, the change is the reason why his relationship with the organization “has taken a new turn.” Wallace will now have to sign his $2.742M tender before the team will consider resuming negotiations on a long-term deal.
– Lions’ DT Ndamukong Suh is being sued for just more than $1M by a woman who claims she was injured in a December car crash in Oregon. Saadia Van Winkle accuses Suh of negligence, recklessness and intentional infliction of emotional distress in the suit, which her attorney says was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Police said Suh was not impaired and was co-operative with officers following the Dec. 3 accident. In the following days, police said they had no plans to investigate the accident further after two women claimed they suffered injuries in the wreck. The suit accuses Suh of lying to 911 operators about whether anyone was injured.
– Patriots’ WR Wes Welker downplayed the failed long-term contract talks during the first day of training camp.
“Everyone tried. I tried, they tried, and it just didn’t work out. It’s in the past and we’re moved onto this season, which we expect to be a good one.”
“There’s no year where you don’t need to prove it. It’s like any other year. The contract and everything else is out of my mind. It’s really just going out there and focusing on playing good ball.”
“You always kind of think it’s going to happen and then, I don’t know. I think you just get excited. But at the same time, you’re very fortunate the position you’re in and I look forward to really playing out this year and playing some of the best ball I can play.”
– After suspended Saints’ LB Jonathan Vilma and seven witnesses testified Thursday that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell got his facts wrong in the bounty scandal, a federal judge decided against making an immediate ruling on whether the suspended Saints’ linebacker could temporarily return to work. Regardless of the outcome, the hearing gave Vilma and several current and former teammates, as well as Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt, a chance to explain why they believe NFL investigators “misconstrued” evidence gathered in their bounty investigation and incorrectly concluded that the Saints had a program in place that offered cash bonuses for tackles that injured opponents.
– Seahawks’ RB Marshawn Lynch has entered a not guilty plea following his arrest for investigation of driving under the influence in Northern California. Lynch’s attorney, Ivan Golde, entered the plea on Lynch’s behalf in Alameda County Superior Court on Wednesday. Lynch’s arraignment was originally schedule for mid-August, but Golde said he moved up the initial court hearing in order to get more access to the evidence. Golde said he believes that unless the case is dismissed, it will not go to trial until after the 2012 NFL season is over. That doesn’t completely erase the chance of Lynch facing punishment from the NFL, but the lack of resolution in the case may delay the league’s decision.
– Dolphins’ QB Matt Moore took the first snap with the starting offense at training camp. Moore started the final 12 games of the 2011 season. QB David Garrard is rotating in with the first-team offense, and QB Ryan Tannehill has still not signed his rookie contract. Head coach Joe Philbin has said that he’ll make the final decision by the third preseason game.
– Vikings’ WR Percy Harvin arrived to training camp Thursday. This comes after his cryptic June threats to skip the start of training camp. Reportedly unhappy with his offensive role and his contract situation, Harvin was had a sit-down meeting with coach Leslie Frazier.
– Chiefs’ RB Jamaal Charles, S Eric Berry, and TE Tony Moeaki–who all suffered September ACL tears–all passed their physicals to open training camp, and have been medically cleared to practice. All three will be nearly a full year removed from the ACL injuries when the 2012 season begins.
– The Vikings have placed Adrian Peterson (knee) on the active/PUP list. He can come off the active/PUP list at any time and begin participating in training camp. AP is just seven months removed from an ACL tear.
– CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora reports the Redskins have had “internal talks” about adding a veteran running back, such as RB Cedric Benson or RB Ryan Grant.
– The Seahawks have signed WR Antonio Bryant. Bryant, 31, is almost three years removed from his last NFL reception. He was admittedly out of shape during a June tryout.
– Packers’ TE Jermichael Finley (mild concussion) sustained a concussion during Thursday’s practice. The team is holding him out as a precaution for a few days.
– The Bears have acquired DT Brian Price from the Bucs for a 2013 7th-round pick. In 2010, Price became the first NFL player to undergo a radical procedure screwing his hamstring to the bone while also attaching the pelvic bones to themselves. Price may have been as good as gone after punching rookie Mark Barron in the face during an offseason meeting. The 2010 2nd-rounder started 14 games last season.
– Bucs’ LT Donald Penn (calf strain) will miss “several weeks” of training camp. Penn was injured working out in Los Angeles. Head coach Greg Schiano said, “Not sure exactly how long that will be (or) keep him from participating…Maybe a couple weeks and we’ll play it by ear.”
– The Dolphins have signed G Eric Steinbach to a 1-year contract. Steinbach started 124 of 125 games for Cincinnati and Cleveland in his first eight NFL seasons before sitting out all of last year because of a back injury.
– The Cardinals have signed G Russ Hochstein. Last season with Denver, Hochstein appeared in 15 regular season games.
MLB
– Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Dodgers rejected an offer that would have sent Cubs’ RHP Ryan Dempster to LA for prospect RHP Allen Webster. Heyman writes that the Dodgers are only willing to offer a couple of lesser pitcher who may project as relievers in the long run. LA is also interested in Cubs’ RHP Matt Garza.
– Rockies’ SS Troy Tulowitzki (groin) may be shut down for the remainder of the season. Tulo was only supposed to miss 6-8 weeks after having groin surgery in June, but has yet to begin any baseball-related activities. The Rockies, who are well out of the playoff picture, will wisely not push their star player. The Denver Post shot down this report, saying that he may now be targeting a late-August, early-September timetable, barring setbacks. Stay tuned.
– Brewers’ GM Doug Melvin backtracked previous comments, telling Adam McCalvy of MLB.com on Thursday night that RHP Zack Greinke is not a sure thing to be traded. Melvin was trying to downplay a USA Today story where he confirmed that Greinke, an impending free agent, would “definitely” be traded. “I just said there was that possibility. I don’t think there’s any secret, with the Trade Deadline, that this is a possibility. Zack knows that. We know that. Other teams know that.” The Brew Crew could keep Greinke through season’s end and make him a qualifying offer to secure draft pick compensation, but still remains veyr likely to be moved by Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Rangers, Angels, Braves and White Sox have reportedly expressed the most interest.
– Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers “still want to add a bat” and have some interest in Twins’ 1B Justin Morneau. He’s batting just .253/.314/.437 this season, but has a .306/.378/.548 line against righty pitching. He’s making $14M this season and next before hitting free agency.
– Cubs’ RHP Matt Garza (right triceps) is not expected to make a start until late next week after an MRI revealed fluid in the area. Although Garza is feeling much better, it essentially eliminates any chance of him being traded prior to Tuesday’s deadline.
– Violet Ripken, the 74-year-old mother of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., was abducted on Tuesday morning at gunpoint in Aberdeen, Md. She was found unharmed early Wednesday morning. The Ripken’s released the following statement:
As you now know, our mother was abducted at gunpoint from her home yesterday morning. This has been a very trying time for our family, but we are grateful and relieved that mom is back with us, safe and healthy. We want to thank everyone for their tremendous support, especially all of the law enforcement agencies that worked so hard and quickly. This is on ongoing investigation, so we hope everyone understands that we cannot comment further at this time. Thank you
– A Massachusetts mayor on Thursday fired a white police officer accused of using a racial slur to taunt Red Sox’ OF Carl Crawford, saying the officer had “brought discredit” on himself and the department. Mazzarella’s decision comes a day after Police Chief Robert Healey recommended during a disciplinary hearing that the mayor fire Perrault, saying he’d used racial slurs at least twice before. Perrault’s lawyer, Joseph Sandulli, said his client would either appeal through the civil service commission or file a grievance through the police union. Sandulli said Perrault didn’t intend the word as a racist insult and the city overreacted.
OLYMPICS
– Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou has been banned from participating in the Olympics after tweeted a racist comment, saying,
“with so many Africans in Greece, at least the West Nile mosquitos will eat homemade food.”
Greece’s Democratic Left issued the following statement…
“Racist humor and ”jokes” concerning human lives are not tolerated by the Greek society, can not thrive in Greek athletics. The least the Greek Olympic Committee can do now is to revoke Ms Voula Papachristou from the Olympic Games. Watching the Olympics on TV screen, she could do as many vile ”jokes” she wants through the social media. But for sure, she can not represent Greece in London.”
OHL
– Shawinigan Cataractes’ D Dillon Donnelly broke the Memorial Cup, and now he’s going to have to pay to fix it. He tweeted,
“Breaking the memorial cup was an accident. I picked it up lost my balance and dropped it, there was no intention to break it, I’m sorry.”
According to the Toronto Star, the Memorial Cup was already damaged before Shawinigan won the trophy.
“Two figurines of hockey players on either side of the cup were missing, but they fell off long before Donnelly had the trophy on July 13 in Montreal. Pictures of the team being presented the Cup following their victory on home ice in the final against the London Knights in May showed the trophy without one of the figurines. Mondou said the figurines came off twice during the presentation.”
NASCAR
– Suspended driver A.J. Allmendinger said Wednesday that he will participate in NASCAR’s substance-abuse recovery program, a sign that he wants to get back to racing as soon as possible and avoid a fight over the accuracy of his failed drug test. Allmendinger’s business manager, Tara Ragan, confirmed multiple media reports Wednesday that an amphetamine triggered the positive test. Ragan said Allmendinger was waiting for additional data from the laboratory that might help identify the source of the amphetamine. Allmendinger previously had said he tested positive for a stimulant he had not identified, insisting he did not knowingly ingest a banned substance. Penske Racing president Tim Cindric said the team has no reason to doubt Allmendinger’s assertion that he didn’t know why he failed the test. It isn’t clear whether that will be enough to save his job. In an interview with The Associated Press, Cindric said team officials plan to meet next week to discuss Allmendinger’s future. Allmendinger was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday.
EPL
– Liverpool captain Stephen Gerrard said that his team will finish in the Premier League’s top four next season and qualify for the Champions League under new coach Brendan Rodgers. Speaking during his team’s U.S. tour, Gerrard told Friday’s Liverpool Echo that despite finishing eighth last season, the priority is to gain a top four spot during the coming campaign.
“I think we will get in the top four. I am confident we will get it. If we can play like we did in a lot of games last season, be clinical and take our chances, I think we will be high up in the table.”
“It was frustrating but if you look at the season as a whole, you can’t make excuses for finishing eighth. It wasn’t good enough. We are Liverpool, we can’t finish eighth.”
– Manchester City says captain Vincent Kompany has signed a 6-year contract extension with the Premier League champions. The Belgium central defender guided Man City to its first league title in 44 years and has played 161 games for the club since joining from German side Hamburg in 2008. Kompany says “we have laid the foundations and now we need to win more” and “if we do that then we can become one of the most successful clubs for a long time to come.”
LA LIGA
– Barcelona and MF Javier Mascherano have agreed a contract extension that will keep the former Argentina captain at the club until 2016. Barcelona says the deal will be signed in the coming weeks, with the buy-out clause to be set at C100 million ($123M). The 28-year-old player joined the Spanish league club in 2010.
– Barcelona’ D Marc Muniesa (torn ligament in right knee) will be out for 6 months. The injury occurred during the second half of Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Hamburg on Tuesday, the Spanish team’s first friendly of the preseason. The 20-year-old had recently been promoted to Barcelona’s first team after coming up through its youth program. This is his second major leg injury. When he was 16, the homegrown Catalan player tore ligaments in his left knee.
SERIE A
– AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy has extended his contract at the Serie A club through to 2017. The 19-year-old El scored two goals in 22 league appearances for Milan.
MLS
– Australian MF Tim Cahill has signed as a high-priced designated player with the Red Bulls. Cahill, 32, scored nine goals for Everton in 2010-11 but didn’t have any from Dec. 20, 2010, against Manchester City until last Jan. 21 against Blackburn. His only goals for the Toffees after that were against Sunderland in the FA Cup on March 13 and vs. Fulham on April 28.
“I am very happy to start a new chapter of my career with the New York Red Bulls. As we have seen over the past few years, MLS has developed into a very competitive league with many talented players. I am impressed with what the Red Bulls are trying to accomplish in MLS and within American soccer and I am looking forward to this new challenge.”
– Toronto FC has parted ways with D Miguel Aceval. The team announced Thursday that Aceval’s contract has been ended by mutual consent. The Chilean made five league appearances for the Reds this season and had two assists. He also scored in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals against Mexico’s Santos Laguna. Aceval ran into trouble off the field last month when he and two teammates were arrested in Houston and charged with public intoxication before a game against the Dynamo.
INDYCAR
– IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said he will sit down next week with the promoter of the Edmonton Indy, but says as far as he’s concerned the series is racing in the Alberta capital next year. Bernard said the contract between IndyCar, the city, and promoter Octane Motorsport Events, runs through 2013. He said any financial concerns over the event itself have to be worked out between Octane and the city. Octane is on the second of the 3-year deal to run the event, on the temporary street course at the City Centre Airport.