Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
May 18, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)

This past week the the Indoor Football League added an expansion team in Las Vegas, Nevada, for next season; the National Lacrosse League Toronto Rock relocated its home games to Hamilton, Ontario; the Women's National Basketball Association tipped off its 25th season; and the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers rebranded themselves as the Bridgeport Islanders. Highlights from this week are from the Indoor Football League, Canadian Football League, The Spring League, National Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Federal Prospect Hockey League, Southern Professional Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One and Major League Rugby.

FOOTBALL

Indoor Football League

The Vegas Golden Knights announced that Chairman and CEO Bill Foley, in partnership with Dollar Loan Center Founder and CEO Chuck Brennan, has officially purchased an expansion franchise from the Indoor Football League. The expansion franchise will be based in the Las Vegas Valley and becomes the 18th team expected to play in the 2022 season, which will be the 14th season for the IFL. Additional growth and expansion within the IFL is expected in the coming months.

The Vegas Golden Knights announced that it purchased an expansion franchise from Indoor Football League. The franchise will be the 18th team in the IFL and are expected to start play in summer 2022 at Dollar Loan Center in Henderson.

Stadium and The Indoor Football League announced a ground-breaking multimedia rights partnership that will distribute The Indoor Football League's Game of the Week nationally on Stadium, as well as worldwide via Stadium's digital platforms. Also, for the first time in American professional team sports, the live game broadcasts will incorporate real-time gamification within the broadcast experience.

"We couldn't be more excited about our partnership with Stadium," said Todd Tryon, Commissioner of The IFL. "Stadium gives us a national television platform with a much larger vision than simply having our games on TV. We believe the dynamic engagement we will be able to have with viewers during each game will help our league grow immensely. ‚¬Â

Canadian Football League

CFL's return-to-play has not been approved by BC...but that's not news! Rod lets out a passionate rant to the "news"!

The Spring League

TSL Coaches FOX Sports Feature - Coaching is "about having other people see success and attain their goals" - Alphas head coach Peter Vaas

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

The Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) have reached a 5-year agreement, with a team option for a multi-year extension, with Spectra managed Core Entertainment to relocate the team's home games to Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre beginning with the 2021-22 season. Toronto Rock Owner, President and GM Jamie Dawick noted that the Rock will have a much better selection of home game dates at FirstOntario Centre and the vast majority of home games in 2021-22 will be played on Saturday nights. It's a big advantage for the Rock, with so much of the team's ticket-buying fan base spread across Ontario.

Toronto Rock Owner Jamie Dawick provides insight into the reasons behind the decision to relocate the Rock's home games to Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre.

The National Lacrosse League, the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, announced that the Priestner Sports Corporation has acquired the Saskatchewan Rush from owner Bruce Urban. The group, led by Mike Priestner, the owner of Go Auto, a Deloitte Best Managed Company that spans 47 car dealerships across Canada as well as the owner Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, takes over the club effective today, solidifying the Rush's position in Saskatchewan for the long term. Colin Priestner will act as the team's Governor while continuing his role as the GM/President of the Blades, while Jared Priestner will serve as Alternate Governor. All lacrosse operations will continue to be run by Rush GM Derek Keenan.

Premier Lacrosse League

NBC Sports and Peacock announced the media schedule for the 2021 Premier Lacrosse League season, featuring comprehensive coverage of 44 games this summer across NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. Peacock will stream all 44 matchups, which sets an NBC Sports record for the most-ever professional lacrosse game coverage in a season. The 2021 Premier Lacrosse League season will feature 21 of the games on NBC (4) and NBCSN (17), the most-ever professional lacrosse games on television in a season. All televised coverage will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

HOCKEY

American Hockey League

The New York Islanders top minor league affiliate playing in the American Hockey League has been renamed the Bridgeport Islanders. The new Bridgeport Islanders logo features an iconic mark for the team's future. The strong letter "B" recognizes the great city of Bridgeport. The stick, which forms the letter "B" has the parent Islanders "NY" logo as the tape on the blade, a subtle nod to the affiliation between the two clubs. The iconic Islanders blue and orange colors remain the same.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have rebranded themselves as the Bridgeport Islanders.

Former AHL and NHL goaltender Richard Bachman traded in his goalie stick for a whistle this season and is enjoying giving back to the game that gave him so much as a player.

ECHL

ECHL Plays of the Week

ECHL Saves of the Week

Federal Prospects Hockey League

The Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) and Carousel Sports, LLC are excited to announce the immediate return of professional hockey to Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton! An expansion team named the Binghamton Black Bears has agreed to terms with the league and the arena and will commence play this coming season joining several local rivals in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. The team's majority owner is Andreas Johansson, who also owns the Watertown Wolves in the same league.

Binghamton Welcomes Black Bears

Southern Professional Hockey League

Evansville Thunderbolts will return to the ice this fall

North American Hockey League

NAHL Plays of the Week

Western Hockey League

Reigning WHL Goaltender of the Week Taylor Gauthier features in the latest edition of the Vaughn Custom Sports Saves of the Week!

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Top 10 Goals of the Month

QMJHL Top Hits of the Month

National Women's Hockey League

The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) announced that the league's board of Governors have approved the sale and transfer of ownership of the Connecticut Whale Hockey Club to purchaser Shared Hockey Enterprises (SHE), LLC owned by Tobin Kelly and his investment partners. The Whale are one of four NWHL teams owned and operated by W Hockey Partners.

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association

WNBA Top 5 Plays Of Its Opening Night

Candace Parker tallies 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in Chicago Sky debut.

NBA G League

League alum Khyri Thomas signed a 10-Day Contract with the Houston Rockets on May 7, 2021, and signed a multiyear deal with the team on May 14.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

First Ever MLS Goal by FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium by Álvaro Barreal

With 3 injured goalkeepers, Portland Timbers started emergency goalkeeper Logan Ketterer from El Paso USL team against San Jose Quakes. In his first ever game/MLS debut Logan Ketterer, earned a shutout victory and saved a penalty kick against the all-time goalscorer in MLS history, Chris Wondlowski.

National Women's Soccer League

The North Carolina Courage are thrilled to announce Sam Mewis, 2020 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, is returning to the club as a U.S. allocated player for the 2021 season. Additionally, Mewis has signed a two-year contract keeping her with the Courage through the 2023 campaign. The club used allocation money to complete the new contract. The midfielder is expected to be available for North Carolina's match on Friday, May 28 against Racing Louisville FC.

OL Reign announced that U.S. Women's National Team midfielder Rose Lavelle will immediately join OL Reign as a U.S. allocated player. Lavelle will train with OL Reign beginning May 26 and is expected to be available for selection in OL Reign's match at Cheney Stadium against the Washington Spirit on May 30.

Dazzling all tournament long, North Carolina Courage forward Debinha takes home Most Valuable Player honors for the 2021 Challenge Cup.

With a Player of the Match performance in the Challenge Cup Championship Match, Portland Thorns FC goalie Adrianna Franch takes home the honors for Budweiser Player of the Week.

Verizon Save of the Week - Didi Haracic, NJ/NY Gotham FC

United Soccer League Championship

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 3 of the 2021 regular season with FC Tulsa's Joaquin Rivas taking Player of the Week honors after scoring twice to lead his side past Indy Eleven for its third consecutive victory to start the campaign.

United Soccer League One

USL League One Goal of the Week Winner - Week 5 - Chattanooga Red Wolves Jimmie Villalobos

BASEBALL

Double-A Northeast League

Matt Frisbee, Joey Marciano, Matt Seelinger and Patrick Ruotolo combined to throw the first nine-inning no-hitter in team history as the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Harrisburg Senators, 2-0, at FNB Field, as the team set a new franchise record with their eighth straight win.

American Association

The Board of Directors of the American Association have approved Lake Country Baseball, based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, to become the newest member of the league. Construction on the team's stadium and a multi-use indoor sports facility has already begun and is anticipated to be completed in spring of 2022.

Appalachian League

Boyd Sports, LLC announces Kiva Fuller as the General Manager of the Johnson City Doughboys, effective immediately. Kiva enters her first year as General Manager in Johnson City and her 13th season overall working in summer collegiate baseball. Before joining the Doughboys, Kiva previously worked in the Coastal Plain League with the Forest City Owls where she served as the General Manager for the last six seasons and was awarded by the league as the first single female Executive of the Year in 2017.

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

Top 5 Tries - Round 8

MLR Biggest Hits - Week 8

Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.

Indoor Football League Stories from May 18, 2021

• Week Four: Players of the Week - IFL
• Week Four: Game Notes - IFL
• It's Game Week - Iowa Barnstormers
• 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.