NHL inducts new Hall class
The National Hockey League welcomed five new members to its Hall of Fame on Monday, as four former players and a current general manager joined the ranks of hockey’s elite. The inductees were former superstars Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman, Luc Robitaille and Brian Leetch, and current New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. Leetch, the lone American player among the inductees, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame last year. He played 18 seasons, including one here with the Bruins, and won numerous awards including the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Yzerman, who played his entire 23-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, scored 692 career goals and tallied 1,063 career assists. Over the course of his career, Hull, who currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars, scored the third-most goals in NHL history (741). Robitaille, known by some as “Lucky Luc,” is the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history (1,394 career points).
Sox exercise options
Preparations for the 2010 season began yesterday for the Boston Red Sox, as the club exercised contract options on some players, while passing on others. The biggest news is that the Sox passed on extending the contract of team captain Jason Varitek, leaving his future with the team up in the air. Varitek holds a $3 million player option, meaning he can choose to return to the team if he wants. However, Varitek saw his playing time shrink last year after the acquisition of Victor Martinez. Making a return by Varitek even less likely is the fact that the Sox picked up Martinez’ $7.1 million option, with, according to ESPNBoston.com, GM Theo Epstein saying that he expects Martinez, “to be the everyday catcher next year.” Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield also saw his contract extended by the Sox, as he signed a two-year pact worth a total of $5 million. Wakefield is just 17 wins shy of the franchise record, shared by Cy Young and Roger Clemens (192). Rounding out the early-week contract news was the Sox’ decision to not extend SS Alex Gonzalez’ contract.
Women’s soccer or WWE?
When thinking of violent sports, there are a few that come to mind: mixed martial arts, boxing, hockey…women’s soccer? This past week saw two high-profile incidents of violence on the pitch, one local and one in New Mexico. The latter occurred in the Mountain West Conference semifinals match between the University of New Mexico and Brigham and Young University. Video highlights of the match shown on ESPN show New Mexico’s Elizabeth Lambert committing a number of “dirty” plays, including hitting an opposing player in the face, repeatedly punching another in the back, tripping a player who then had the ball kicked right into her face, and, finally, grabbing an opponent’s ponytail and throwing her to the ground. Lambert, a junior, has been indefinitely suspended. In local action, a girls’ high school match in Rhode Island ended in an on-field brawl. The match between Woonsocket and Tolman erupted into a fight when two players collided, and later led to fans brawling in the stands.
Blount allowed to return
University of Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount is being given a second chance, and will rejoin his Ducks teammates for this upcoming weekend’s game against Arizona State. Blount was suspended by head coach Chip Kelly for the rest of this season after punching a Boise State player in the face following an early-season loss. However Blount was allowed to keep his scholarship and practice with the team, and in the weeks following the punch Kelly said that if Blount met certain requirements, both academic and personal, a late-season return was possible. Blount will not start this week for the Ducks, who are ranked 13th in the BCS, as his playing time will depend on his performance in practices this coming week.
