Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
January 15, 2019 - American Hockey League (AHL)
FOOTBALL
Alliance of American Football
The Alliance of American Football's Atlanta Legends announced today that 17-year NFL coaching veteran Kevin Coyle was named the team's head coach. Coach Brad Childress has stepped away from his role as head coach of The Atlanta Legends," AAF head of football operations J.K. McKay said in a statement.
When the Alliance of American Football league kicks-off in February, OurSports Central will provide its own unique coverage of the upstart league.
Take a look at the official football of the AAF made by Wilson:
Canadian Football League
The combine, hosted by Mexico's Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional (LFA), represented a giant step forward for the CFL's plan to expand its international footprint and content.
XFL
XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck said the XFL will consider taking players before they are eligible for the NFL Draft.
National Arena League
The Massachusetts Pirates professional arena football team in Worcester have named Anthony Payton Head Coach of the team and promoted Sergio Gilliam to Defensive Coordinator. The moves were facilitated after Ameer Ismail, the National Arena League Coach of the Year, could not come to terms with the Pirates to coach for a second season.
IFL
HOCKEY
AHL
Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay will attempt to save a local restaurant while disguised as a Lehigh Valley Phantoms fan. Tune into an all-new episode of 24 Hours to Hell and Back on FOX:
ECHL
The ECHL announced the rosters for the 2019 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, to be hosted by the Toledo Walleye on Monday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. ET at the Huntington Center. The game will air LIVE exclusively on NHL Network.
SPHL
Knoxville Ice Bears Defenseman Doug Rose may have the SPHL Save of the Year with this diving stick swat against the Quad City Storm:
WHL
Forward Jadon Joseph of the Vancouver Giants goes between-the-legs goal against the Kotenay Ice:
NAHL
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that the 2019 Robertson Cup National Championship will once again be played at the Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minnesota, from May 10-13, 2019. This marks the second consecutive season that the Robertson Cup Championship will be held at Fogerty Arena.
BASKETBALL
G League
Marcus Thornton brought back memories of his first game with the Grand Rapids Drive this 2018-19 season by making the game-winning layup with five seconds remaining as the Drive (11-13) defeated the Iowa Wolves (9-17) by a 110-108 final on the road Sunday afternoon. Thornton finished with 32 points, scoring over 30 points for the second game in a row. He is the first Drive player with two consecutive 30-point games this year.
WNBA
The Phoenix Mercury fired assistant coach Todd Troxel after an investigation into an alleged domestic violence incident. Troxel, 41, was charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct stemming from a "physical altercation" in his home on Nov. 30.
BASEBALL
Carolina League
The Kansas City Royals announced that Scott Thorman will be the new manager of the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2019. Thorman, who is the 15th manager in team history, replaces Darryl Kennedy who was promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Pacific Coast League
The Fresno Grizzlies and Washington Nationals, entering the first season of a Triple-A affiliation, have announced the Fresno field staff for 2019. Former Major League catcher Randy Knorr becomes the inaugural Grizzlies manager in the Washington era, and is the 11th manager in franchise history. It will be the third season Knorr has managed the Nationals' Triple-A club, having skippered Syracuse of the International League in 2011 and 2018.
The Reno Aces, in conjunction with the Arizona Diamondbacks, have announced Chris Cron as Reno's 2019 manager. With the hire, Cron becomes the Aces fourth manager in franchise history. Joining Cron will be pitching coach Jeff Bajenaru, hitting coach Jason Camilli and coach Greg Gross. Rounding out the support staff will be trainer Paul Porter and strength and conditioning coach Steven Candelaria.
Atlantic League
The New Britain Bees today announced that they have named Mauro "Goose" Gozzo as the third manager in team history. Gozzo replaces Wally Backman and returns to the Bees for his second season in the Atlantic League after working as the team's pitching coach in 2018.
Texas League
The Amarillo Sod Poodles in conjunction with the San Diego Padres announced that Phillip Wellman will serve as the team field manager for the inaugural 2019 season. Accompanying Wellman will be pitching coach Jimmy Jones, hitting coach, Raul Padron, coach Freddy Flores, athletic trainers Nick Coberly and Drew Garner, and strength & conditioning coach Drew Heithoff.
Futures Collegiate Baseball League
SOCCER
MLS
Coming off the most successful season from a competitive and business perspective in its 23-year history, Major League Soccer unveiled the schedule for the 2019 regular season. Opening weekend on March 2-3 includes five broadcasts on national networks in the U.S. - the most ever for an opening weekend in MLS history. Matches include the first MLS regular season game for FC Cincinnati, as they visit Seattle Sounders FC on March 2 (FS1); and D.C. United hosting defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United FC on March 3 (ESPN).
NWSL
The North Carolina Courage announced they have acquired Swedish international midfielder Julia Spetsmark pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa. Spetsmark started playing in the Damallsvenskan, the highest division of women's soccer in Sweden, for Mallbackens IF at age 17 and has made over 100 appearances in the league since 2006.
Orlando Pride has named former MLS Cup Champion and Orlando City player Erik Ustruck as its newest general manager. Ustruck, 34, joined the Orlando City SC front office in 2014 after playing for the Club from 2011-13 and quickly climbed through the ranks of the soccer operations department.
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) held the 2019 NWSL College Draft on Thursday with 36 players being selected over four rounds at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago. The Chicago Red Stars selected Stanford defender Tierna Davidson with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
MASL
Orlando SeaWolves midfielder Gordy Gurson scores a long goal against the Florida Tropics. Gurson had three goals and one assist in Orlando's 11-6 victory:
LACROSSE
NLL
Adrian Sorichetti scores the first San Diego Seals goal at Pechanga Arena against the Rochester Knighthawks:
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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American Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2019
- Bridgeport suffers first shutout this season in setback at Bojangles Coliseum - Bridgeport Islanders
- Nedeljkovic Blanks Bridgeport in Front of Sold-Out Crowd - Charlotte Checkers
- Stars Recall Robbie Payne and Nolan Gluchowski from Idaho - Texas Stars
- Senators Release Carlisle from PTO - Belleville Senators
- Tampa Bay Lightning Reassign Defenseman Matthew Spencer to Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Phantoms Power Play - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Syracuse Crunch Weekly â?? January 15, 2019 - Syracuse Crunch
- Bears Weekly: Hershey Opens Four-Game Road Trip this Week - Hershey Bears
- 2019 AHL All-Star Classic Coming to NHL Network, Sportsnet - AHL
- IceHogs, Manning Mutually Agree to Release from SPC - Rockford IceHogs
- The Rocket this Week - Laval Rocket
- Nashville Assigns Di Giuseppe to Milwaukee - Milwaukee Admirals
- Marlies Announce Connor Brown Bobblehead Night - Toronto Marlies
- Gambardella Assigned to Condors - Bakersfield Condors
- Division-Leading Griffins Tour Through Illinois, Host Milwaukee - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Comets Sign Michael Leighton to PTO, Release Sakellaropoulos - Utica Comets
- Weekly: Penguins Host Three-Game Home Stand, Including Monday Matinee - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Sound Tigers Battle Checkers in Mid-Week Slate - Bridgeport Islanders
- Moose Top Milwaukee in OT - Manitoba Moose
- Rau's Hat Trick Lifts Wild to 3-2 Victory against San Diego - Iowa Wild
- Cracknell's Late Goal Earns Gulls Point in OT Loss - San Diego Gulls
- Admirals Earn Point in OT Loss to Manitoba - Milwaukee Admirals
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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.
