Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
December 19, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Welcome to the first of your weekly updates on all the big plays, promotions, coaching moves and news from around the leagues covered on OurSports Central!
HOCKEY
It's December, and that means Teddy Bear Toss time. Many minor and junior hockey teams encourage their fans to bring bears for one special game during the season. Once the home team scores the first goal, fans are free to launch the toys onto the ice where they're collected and later distributed to local children's charities.
The Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League scored a franchise-best 29,635 stuffed toys from fans during The Brick Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday afternoon at the Saddledome.
Check out the mayhem:
Earlier this month, the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears collected over 34,000, ahem, bears, to set a record:
SPHL
The Southern Professional Hockey League announced that the Board of Governors unanimously voted to name Vice President Doug Price as Interim Commissioner, effective immediately.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
On Tuesday NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations and former NBA All-Star Shareef Abdur-Rahim was named President of the NBA G League, it was announced by NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. Abdur-Rahim will replace Malcolm Turner, who will step down Jan. 11, 2019, to become the Athletics Director at Vanderbilt University.
FOOTBALL
AAF
With the first pick of the Alliance of American Football Quarterback Draft the San Diego Fleet protected quarterback Josh Johnson. AAF teams could choose to protect a local player assigned to them or select an unprotected player. Following the draft, though, Johnson signed with the NFL's Washington Redskins after the previous two starters suffered broken legs. Johnson said he played Madden to learn who his new teammates were.
CFL
A couple Canadian Football League teams landed head coaches last week.
The BC Lions Football Club today announced that DeVone Claybrooks has been named the organization's 26th head coach in its 65-year history.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Argonauts announced that Corey Chamblin has been named the 44th head coach in team history.
LACROSSE
NLL
After a five-year absence, the National Lacrosse League welcomed back the Philadelphia Wings Saturday in front of more than 11,000 fans.
The league also announced an expansion franchise that will play in New York at Nassau Coliseum in the 2019-20 season.
SOCCER
NWSL
The Houston Dash have appointed James Clarkson as the third head coach in franchise history.
OTHER
Major League Rugby
Former NHL Executive Brian Burke is now a part owner of the Major League Rugby Toronto Arrows franchise.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
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Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2018
- Raiders, Silvertips Remain in Top Five of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings to Close out 2018 - WHL
- Silvertips Collect Franchise Record 9,719 Stuffed Animals Donated Through Teddy Bear Toss - Everett Silvertips
- Americans to Host Chiefs for Annual New Year's Eve Game - Tri-City Americans
- Seven Hitmen Prospects to Play in Mac's Tournament - Calgary Hitmen
- Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings Unveiled - WHL
- Prospect Grady Lane Named to Team Manitoba - Spokane Chiefs
- Giants Prospect Justin Lies to Represent Manitoba at 2019 Canada Winter Games - Vancouver Giants
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Carter Hart Earns 1st Star Victory with Philadelphia Flyers as 19th Former Silvertips Player to Make his NHL Debut - Everett Silvertips
- Sweden and Russia dazzle in front of sold-out crowd - Kelowna Rockets
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
