Last Week Around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
June 4, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Last week the Canadian Football League took control of the Montreal Alouettes franchise, the Indoor Football League's Arizona Rattlers shutout the Cedar Rapids River Kings 56-0, and Major League Lacrosse began its 19th season. Highlights from this week are from the Canadian Football League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, International League, American Association, Major League Lacrosse and Major League Rugby.
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League together with the Wetenhall family would like to confirm the Montreal Alouette Football Club Company has been sold to the CFL. This is part of an orderly transition to new long-term ownership and a new chapter in the Alouettes storied history. The CFL and Wetenhall family indeed have been working for several months to identify and assess potential new owners and that process is ongoing.
Ottawa Redblacks DeVante Dedmon takes the kick return all the way to house 100 yards touchdown in a preseason game against Hamilton.
XFL
Long-time NFL linebacker and assistant coach Pepper Johnson landed in the XFL as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Los Angeles franchise.
Indoor Football League
The Arizona Rattlers (12-0) defeated the Cedar Rapids River Kings (1-11) 56-0 to stay undefeated in the Indoor Football League (IFL).
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
The effort by Atlanta United FC goalkeeper Brad Guzan is INSANE!
Portland Timbers forward Brian Hernandez with a bicycle kick goal.
Los Angeles Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic unbelievable bicycle kick!
National Women's Soccer League
Forward Kristen Hamilton with the hat trick for North Carolina Courage in the Courage 3-0 victory over the Orlando Pride.
Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr was voted May's National Women's Soccer League Player of the Month by the NWSL Media Association.
BASEBALL
International League
Buffalo Bisons position. Player Jordan Patterson pitching and striking out Tim Tebow!
Didi Gregorius making it look easy with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Futures Collegiate Baseball League
For the first time in franchise history, the Worcester Bravehearts threw a no-hitter, winning by the score of 5-2 against the Nashua Silver Knights in their season opener at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. Shawn Babineau got the win in his first start for the Bravehearts, throwing six scoreless innings.
American Association
Victor Roache hit a walk off homerun in the Chicago Dogs 1-0 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
ABC's presentation of the Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, May 25, delivered a 0.5 overnight rating according to Nielsen (excluding Chicago market), making it the highest-rated WNBA opening game on ESPN networks since the 2012 matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx (0.8, ABC). This year's season opener was up 25% compared to last year's regular-season opener (0.4, ESPN2).
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that the organization and Cleveland Monsters head coach John Madden have mutually agreed to part ways. Madden will not return as the Monsters head coach next season and will seek other opportunities in the NHL.
Southern Professional Hockey League
The Evansville Thunderbolts Professional Hockey Team of the Southern Professional Hockey League has announced Jeff Bes as the new Evansville Thunderbolts Head Coach. Jeff brings an extensive coaching resume to the position of Head Coach with over 10 years coaching experience and 19 years professional hockey knowledge gained from playing in the AHL, IHL, ECHL and European Hockey Leagues.
Ensuring the best chance for continued success both on and off the ice, the Huntsville Havoc have agreed to a five-year extension with head coach Glenn Detulleo.
National Women's Hockey League
United States Hockey League
Youngstown Phantoms Head Coach Brad Patterson has been promoted to Head Coach and General Manager, adding the General Manager duties to his existing Head Coach role. Patterson has been the head coach of the Phantoms for the past three seasons posting a 103-61-11-7 (W-L-OTL-SOL) record with a playoff berth in each season.
LACROSSE
Major League Lacrosse
Denver Outlaws 44-year-old legend John Grant Jr. scored the first goal of the 2019 MLL Season. You couldn't write a Hollywood script like this
National Lacrosse League
The Rochester Knighthawks, in conjunction with the National Lacrosse League (NLL), unveiled the team's logo and operations staff during a franchise launch event at The Blue Cross Arena. Under the ownership of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE), the Knighthawks enter their inaugural campaign as one of two expansion teams in the NLL following the relocation of the original Knighthawks franchise to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the team will operate as the Thunderbirds.
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
Rugby United New York flanker John Quill picks off an Toronto Arrows pass and brings it back for five!
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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Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 4, 2019
- 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.
