Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
December 31, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
This past week the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch played in its 2,000th regular season game, the National Basketball League of Canada tipped off its ninth season and the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer named Raphael Wicky its new head coach. Highlights from this week are from the Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, NBA G League, National Lacrosse League and the XFL.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The Syracuse Crunch played in its 2,000th regular season game. They lost to the Belleville Senators 8-2.
The American Hockey League announced tthat Kris Knoblauch of the Hartford Wolf Pack, Chris Taylor of the Rochester Americans, Karl Taylor of the Milwaukee Admirals and Jay Varady of the Tucson Roadrunners have clinched the honor of coaching at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic to be held January 26-27 in Ontario, Calif.
Western Hockey League
2020 NHL Draft prospect Jake Neighbours of the Edmonton Oil Kings goes backhand roof for Saturday's #WHLHoN.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Moncton Wildcats are pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Lacroix as their new Head Coach. Lacroix served as assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens from 2014 to 2018.
Yaroslav Likhachev pulls off a perfect between-the-legs move on this Blainville-Boisbriand Armada goal.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
Top Plays of the Week.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
Back to back breakaway goals for the Buffalo Bandits.
Connor Kelly scores first home goal in New York Riptide history.
Georgia Swarm Shane Jackson with an amazing diving wrap around goal.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
The Chicago Fire Football Club announced that Raphael Wicky will be the Club's new head coach. Wicky is the ninth full-time head coach in Club history. The former Swiss international brings 27 years of experience as a player and coach in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.
FOOTBALL
XFL
Topps will produce cards for the XFL that will be available for fans in March.
Defensive end Jake Payne's journey to the St. Louis BattleHawks.
Canadian Football League
Orlondo Steinauer, Head Coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, announced that Offensive Coordinator Tommy Condell, as well as Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach Mark Washington, have signed contract extensions to remain with the team.
National Arena League
The Orlando Predators signed former Canadian Football League quarterback Rakeem Cato. Cato played college football at Marshall.
BASEBALL
California League
The Stockton Ports announced that Taylor McCarthy is stepping down as General Manager to accept a new job opportunity at the University of New Hampshire as the new Associate Athletic Director of Business Development.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2019
- Mekai Sanders Makes WHL Debut in Annual New Year's Eve Game against Portland - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Chiefs Come Back to Claim Point in OT Loss to Americans - Spokane Chiefs
- 2019 Ends with Narrow Loss to Wheat Kings - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Centazzo, Paddock, & Christiansen Named to Vaughn CHL Team of the Week - WHL
- Canada beats Czechs, secures group at World Juniors - Kelowna Rockets
- 2019/20 Mid-Season Review: 2019 Archive - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Hub: December 31 - Portland Winterhawks
- Broncos Sign Carter Stebbings to SPA - Swift Current Broncos
- Remembering the Players Who Made the Last Decade Special - Moose Jaw Warriors
- OT Loss Nets Cougars a Point - Prince George Cougars
- Liam Kindree scores again, gives Rockets OT win over Cougars - Kelowna Rockets
- Early Lead Evaporates in Loss to Red Deer - Everett Silvertips
- Royals Smother Blazers - Victoria Royals
- Rebels Roar Back from 2-0 Deficit to Post Decisive Win over Silvertips - Red Deer Rebels
- Woo, Hitmen Stop Oil Kings, 5-3 - Calgary Hitmen
- Power Play Propels Hitmen Past Oil Kings in Final Highway 2 Battle - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Wheat Kings Win Final Home Game of 2019 - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Raiders End 2019 With Loss to Winnipeg - Prince Albert Raiders
- ICE Beat Raiders and Earn First Spot in the East Division - Winnipeg Ice
- Broncos Drop Tightly-Contested Game to Hurricanes - Swift Current Broncos
- 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.
