Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
June 22, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)

This past week the Canadian Football League announced its season will return on August 5th, the Indoor Football League terminated the Louisville Xtreme franchise, and the ECHL Iowa Heartlanders announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the NHL Minnesota Wild. Highlights from this week are from the Canadian Football League, The Spring League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, BIG3, ECHL Federal Prospects Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Premier Lacrosse League, Major League Rugby and American Ultimate Disc League.

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

The Canadian Football League's (CFL) comeback season is a "go." The league's Board of Governors voted unanimously on a 14-game regular season for its' teams that will kick off August 5 and lead to the 108th Grey Cup on December 12 in Hamilton, Ontario. The league told fans back in April that it was setting August 5th as a target date to return from an hiatus forced by the COVID-19 outbreak. The CFL stressed then that it would only move forward with a season if it could secure the necessary approvals from governments for its plans to keep players and coaches safe and the green light from governments to allow a significant number of fans to attend games.

After being forced to cancel its last season, the CFL is returning this summer, but the league will be challenged by bringing in fans safely and attracting a younger audience.

The 2021 Canadian Football League (CFL) schedule kicks off Thursday, August 5th when the reigning Grey Cup Champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in an epic rematch 620 days in the making. The first CFL game since the same two teams met in the 107th Grey Cup on November 24, 2019, the highly anticipated contest will mark the league's comeback from a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Everything leads to the 108th Grey Cup in Hamilton on December 12.

Better days are ahead for the BC Lions! As Marshall Ferguson outlines, the offensive line was a major issue for the Leos in 2019, but with improvement up front their offence has the star power to really flourish in 2021.

A lot has changed in Ottawa after a forgettable 2019 including a new head coach and a new QB, but will it be enough to get them back into the playoffs? Marshall Ferguson gives his thoughts in this 2021 Season Preview.

Indoor Football League

Effective immediately, the Indoor Football League has moved to terminate the membership of the Louisville Xtreme for failure to meet and maintain league obligations. The move comes following a unanimous vote by the league's Board of Directors. "This is a regrettable situation, but as our league continues to generate positive momentum this became a necessary action," said IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon. "We have tremendous respect for Victor Cole and his partners in Louisville and the hard work they put into developing Louisville as a viable IFL franchise. However, as we position the IFL for long-term success, it is imperative that we maintain the high standards we have set as a league. ‚¬Â

The Spring League

The Linemen made an art of second half comebacks throughout the TSL2021 season and they did it once more in the Mega Bowl. What an unbelievable end to an unbelievable season!

It's been an awesome season between two divisions at the Spring League. Check out the Top 10 plays.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

Superstar Matthew McConaughey gets Austin fans going before facing San Jose Earthquakes.

National Women's Soccer League

NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced that Assistant Coach Becca Moros has accepted the Head Coach position at the University of Arizona and will depart the club immediately to assume her new role. "We are happy for Becca and the opportunity she'll now have to run her own program," added Head Coach Freya Coombe. "We especially thank her for all her work during her time here at Gotham FC. ‚¬Â

United Soccer League Championship

The United Soccer League announced the appointment of Mark Cartwright as the first Sporting Director in the organization's history. Cartwright brings an extensive executive background in professional soccer, both at the club and federation level, and will oversee player development, as well as coaching and club education across the USL's professional leagues. Between 2012 and 2019, Cartwright was the Technical Director at historic English club Stoke City FC, where he oversaw all technical, recruitment and operational areas of the footballing side of the club's business in the Premier League.

USL Championship Player of the Week - Alejandro Guido, San Diego Loyal SC

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association

Brittney Griner has thrown down twice in just the first month of play of 2021. It marks 14 regular season dunks in her career; she's recorded 20 so far in the WNBA (one playoff dunk and five All-Star game dunks).

NBA G League

Daishen Nix has wanted to be a part of the NBA Draft since he was a kid. Now, it's time to surprise people and put Alaska hoops on the map.

Now, it's time to surprise people and put Alaska hoops on the map.

BIG3

BIG3 Coaches and Captains faced some tough choices with all the talent in this year's draft pool. See who's teamed up for season 4 in this shortened SuperDraft pick video.

HOCKEY

ECHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) Minnesota Wild tannounced a multi-year ECHL affiliation agreement with the Iowa Heartlanders beginning with the 2021-22 season. "We are thrilled to announce a new ECHL affiliation agreement with the Iowa Heartlanders," said Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin. "We look forward to being a part of the Heartlanders inaugural season and helping grow the great sport of hockey while also having the opportunity to develop players at both the AHL and ECHL level in Iowa. This is an exciting day for our organization. ‚¬Â

‚¬Å“This is a critical relationship for the Minnesota Wild. To be able to have an ECHL and AHL team in such a close vicinity really gives our development model a shot in the arm. ‚¬Â Bill Guerin, GM of the Minnesota Wild

Federal Prospect Hockey League

Binghamton Black Bears Team Owner Andreas Johansson announced the hiring of new Head Coach James Henry. Henry most recently served as an Assistant Coach for the Fayetteville Marksmen of the Southern Professional Hockey League. At the same time, he remains a mentor and consultant with Coast 2 Coast Player Development, a group that includes current San Jose Sharks Defenseman Brent Burns and former Binghamton Senator Mike Sdao.

First Interview With Black Bears Head Coach James Henry

North American Hockey League

NAHL Plays of the Week

United States Hockey League

The Des Moines Buccaneers announced that Matt Curley has joined the organization as their 17th Head Coach in franchise history. Curley agreed to a multi-year contract to guide the Four-time Clark Cup winning Buccaneers. He is known as an exceptional leader, communicator and developer of talent. The 38 year-old, North Country, New York native has a wealth of experience at the NCAA, Junior and International level. Most recently, he was the Head Coach at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Curley spent three seasons guiding the Seawolves program in the WCHA. In his first season, he led the Seawolves to the WCHA playoffs with 10 Freshman playing an integral role on his team. Unfortunately, this past season, UAA did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Top 10 Saves of the Month

BASEBALL

American Association

The Chicago Dogs have transferred the contract of right-handed pitcher Connor Grey to the New York Mets, the club announced Thursday. Grey will report to the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Grey is the fourth Chicago Dogs pitcher to be signed by an MLB organization in 2021. Grey made six starts for the Dogs and finished with a 3-2 record and a 3.17 ERA. He pitched 34 innings and struck out 37 batters while giving up 27 hits and 11 walks. Hitters batted .214 against Grey, who recorded a 1.12 WHIP for the Dogs.

As Yogi Berra said, "It's like déjà vu all over again". The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks announced that another pitcher has had his contract transferred to an MLB organization, this time closer Blake Rogers is going to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Blake Rogers comes to Fargo-Moorhead for his sixth season of professional baseball and first with the RedHawks in 2021 after spending his last five seasons in the San Diego Padres organization.

Gary SouthShore RailCats' right-handed pitcher David Griffin's contract has been transferred to the New York Mets after Griffin played a key role in the RailCats' starting rotation through the first quarter of the 2021 season. Griffin is the second Gary SouthShore RailCat to have his contract transferred to a Major League Baseball affiliate this season. Through six starts, Griffin posted a 1-1 record with a 4.30 ERA while the 6-foot-1 righty delivered 31.1 innings on the mound with 36 strikeouts compared to just 10 walks.

LACROSSE

Premier Lacrosse League

PLL TOP 10! The Best of Atlanta - Week 2

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

Top 5 Tries - Round 13

Biggest Hits - Week 13

World TeamTennis

World TeamTennis has announced it will host fans at full capacity for the 2021 season at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. All matches during the 2021 campaign between the five teams will take place in the venue's 8,000 seat Stadium 2. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play in front of full capacity at the sensational Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the 2021 World TeamTennis season," said WTT Chairman and CEO Eric Davidson. "It is no secret the Coachella Valley is home to avid tennis fans, and this area certainly knows how to host visiting spectators as well. We look forward to welcoming not only our fans, but also an increasingly talented group of players for the upcoming season. ‚¬Â

American Ultimate Disc League

Top 10 Plays from Week 2

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 June 22, 2021

• Week 9: Players of the Week - IFL
• Barnstormers Travel to Green Bay for Friday Night Fight - Iowa Barnstormers
• Barnstormers Weekly on June 24 - 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.