Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on February 18, 2020 under NBA G League (G League)
This past week the XFL announced it will play its championship at Houston's TDECU Stadium on April 26th, Major League Lacrosse added a new team called the Connecticut Hammerheads and WorldTeam Tennis added a ninth team to the league called the Chicago Smash. Highlights from this week are from the XFL, Canadian Football League, NBA G League, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Pacific Coast League.
FOOTBALL
XFL
The XFL, the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority and the University of Houston today announced at a news conference that Houston, Texas, and TDECU Stadium on the U of H campus will host the league's championship game on Sunday, April 26, 2020.
The first-ever double forward pass in XFL history made by the DC Defenders:
Keenan Reynolds, an option quarterback in college at Navy, is a good wide receiver for the Seattle Dragons with this 68-yard TD catch.
Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley sideline interview during the Dallas Renegades - Los Angeles Wildcats game.
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker is unreal with his scrambling ability.
Canadian Football League
CFL seeking Japanese football talent
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
Top Five Plays of the Week
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse announced that the league will not operate the Dallas Rattlers for the 2020 MLL season. Major League Lacrosse will maintain the Rattlers' marks and colors for a return to the Dallas market.
Major League Lacrosse is proud to introduce the league's newest franchise, the Connecticut Hammerheads, Commissioner Alexander Brown announced. The Hammerheads will host their games on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium built in 2015 on the Fairfield University Campus in Fairfield, Connecticut. Play for the 2020 season will begin May 30.
The Denver Outlaws announced that Matt Bocklet will be taking over as the new team president. Bocklet has been a dedicated member of the Outlaws organization since 2009. A Johns Hopkins University graduate, Matt Bocklet takes over one of the most successful MLL teams in the league's history.
Major League Lacrosse announced that the league will not operate the Atlanta Blaze for the 2020 MLL season. Major League Lacrosse will maintain the Blaze marks and colors for a return to the Atlanta market.
Premier Lacrosse League
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced that the league will travel to the Minneapolis-St. Paul market during the upcoming 2020 season. Viking Lakes, home of the Minnesota Vikings and the recently-constructed TCO Stadium in Eagan, MN will host the PLL on July 11 and 12. This will be the league's first time visiting the state of Minnesota.
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced the results of the expansion draft. In this draft, Waterdogs LC coach Andy Copelan selected the team's inaugural eighteen players from the league's unprotected player list.
With the 1st pick of the Expansion Draft, Waterdogs Head Coach Andy Copelan selects Connor Kelly.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League's Board of Governors has unanimously elected Scott Howson as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2020. Howson will become the tenth President since the league's formation in 1936 and will succeed the retiring David Andrews, who will continue as Chairman of the Board of Governors after his 26-year tenure as President and CEO concludes on June 30.
What. A. Comeback. The Toronto Marlies came back from a four-goal deficit, scoring twice in the final three minutes before burying the OT winner. 7-6 victory over the Beleville Senators
ECHL
Memo to self: Do *NOT* step into the rumble pit with Orlando Solar Bears forward Tayler Thompson.
Western Hockey League
A little tic, a little tac, a little goal. Mason Mannek finishes off this goal for the Portland Winterhawks
Ontario Hockey League
OHL Officials Mic'd Up
North American Hockey League
NAHL Weekend Recap
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Another day, another Zachary L'Heureux highlight. Check out the latest goal from the Moncton Wildcats rookie.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
Top Plays of the Week
SOCCER
Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) confirmed that the League's 8th Club will be named Atletico Ottawa. The club's name, Atletico Ottawa, is inspired by its parent Club, Club Atletico de Madrid, a globally recognized team with a decorated past, and now, an ambitious future.
BASEBALL
Appalachian League
Boyd Sports, LLC has announced that Kat Deal will be the General Manager of the Greeneville Reds. Deal spent the previous two seasons with the Johnson City Cardinals, another Boyd Sports, LLC team, as the Assistant General Manager. Before the Florida native's entrance into the Boyd Sports family, she worked with the Bluefield Orioles and with Roger Dean Stadium as their Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing.
Pacific Coast League
The Oakland Athletics put on a show with their top 3 minor league baseball plays.
OTHER SPORTS
WorldTeam Tennis
World TeamTennis has announced expansion to its ninth city, marking a return to the Windy City with the addition of the Chicago Smash for the 2020 season. The Smash will play seven home matches during the league's 45th season this summer at the Credit Union 1 Arena (previously known as UIC Pavilion) on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
World TeamTennis announced its 2020 schedule ahead of its 45th season, adding the Chicago Smash to the premier team tennis series. The WTT regular season calendar will showcase nine teams and 63 matches over 19 consecutive days from July 12-30.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
NBA G League Stories from February 18, 2020
- Phoenix Suns Assign Jalen Lecque to Naz - Northern Arizona Suns
- Josh Magette to Play for USA AmeriCup Qualifying Team - Osceola Magic
- Atlanta Hawks Transfer Charlie Brown, Jr. to College Park Skyhawks - College Park Skyhawks
- Westchester Knicks Acquire Nate Hickman - Westchester Knicks
- 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.
