Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
July 27, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
This past week Staten Island was awarded an Atlantic League baseball team for the 2022 season, former United States Hockey League Chicago Steel defenseman Owen Power was taken with the first pick in the NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, and the Wilf family became the majority owners of MLS Orlando City SC and NWSL Orlando Pride. Highlights from this week are from the Atlantic League, United States Hockey League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Western Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Major Arena Soccer League 2, Women's National Basketball Association, Big3, Premier Lacrosse League, Major League Rugby and American Ultimate Disc League.
BASEBALL
Atlantic League
Mayor de Blasio, Borough President James Oddo, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced an agreement with Staten Island Entertainment to bring professional baseball back to the Staten Island Ballpark. Staten Island Entertainment will bring an Atlantic League team to play at the St. George waterfront stadium beginning in 2022. The team will be named following an engagement process with local elected officials, community members, and other stakeholders.
Minor league baseball to return to Staten Island. New York City signed a deal for a minor league baseball team in the Atlantic League to play at the Saint George Waterfront Stadium.
High-A Central League
The Great Lakes Loons (39-31) made history against the Lake County Captains (37-33) throwing their first no-hitter since the team's inaugural 2007 season with a 14-0 drubbing at Classic Park. A combined effort from starter Clayton Beeter and relievers Bobby Miller, Jake Cantleberry and Cameron Gibbens held the Captains both scoreless and hitless while walking three batters and striking out 13. Carson Taylor caught all nine innings and contributed a ninth-inning grand slam to punctuate a six-run frame with the 100th home run hit this season for Great Lakes.
HOCKEY
United States Hockey League
With the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Chicago Steel alumnus (2018-20) Owen Power. Power is the fourth USHL alumnus selected with the first overall pick of the Draft, joining USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) alumni Rick DiPietro (New York Islanders, 2000), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2016) and Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils, 2019).
Owen Power Highlights with Chicago Steel
Owen Power discusses being the first overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft
Five former USHL players were selected as the NHL's newest team, the Seattle Kraken, was announced in the Expansion Draft including defensemen Gavin Bayreuther, Will Borgen and Jamie Oleksiak as well forward Mason Appleton and goaltender Joey Daccord.
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League released the complete schedule of games for the 2021-22 regular season, the league's 86th year of operation. The season, with 31 teams playing a total of 1,118 games, begins on Friday, October 15 and concludes on Sunday, April 24. "After two seasons shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to be back on the ice in all 31 of our cities and to bring exciting American Hockey League action back to our fans," said AHL President and CEO Scott Howson.
The Winnipeg Jets, in conjunction with the Manitoba Moose, are proud to announce Mark Morrison as head coach of the Moose. Morrison, 58, is the ninth head coach in franchise history. The Delta, B.C. product spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks. During his time with Anaheim, the club recorded a 125-125-41 mark over 291 games. Prior to his time working in the NHL, Morrison was a part of the Winnipeg Jets organization as an assistant coach in the AHL with the St. John's IceCaps and then Manitoba Moose.
New Manitoba Moose Head Coach Mark Morrison speaks with media.
Montreal Canadiens general manager, Marc Bergevin, announced today the appointment of Jean-François Houle as head coach of the AHL's Laval Rocket. With nearly 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate, junior, and pro levels, Houle was a head coach in the QMJHL for five seasons before taking an assistant coach position in the AHL for the past six years. Jean-François Houle, 46, spent the last six seasons (2015-16 to 2020-21) in the Edmonton Oilers organization as an assistant coach with their primary AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.
ECHL
The Kalamazoo Wings announced that the ECHL club has signed an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets and American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters for the 2021-22 season. Kalamazoo and Columbus first partnered from 2014-2016, and seven K-Wings players earned call-ups to the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliates in Springfield (2014-2015) and Lake Erie (2015-2016). One of those prospects, goaltender Oscar Dansk, eventually played six NHL games over three stints with the Vegas Golden Knights from 2017-2021.
The Kalamazoo Wings has announced it will be affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Cleveland Monsters for the 2021-2022 season.
North American Hockey League
The New Mexico Ice Wolves hockey team announced in a press release that one of their players died in a car crash. Mack Motzko, 20, was riding in a vehicle that went off the road in a Minneapolis suburb.
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is proud to announce five WHL players have been selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Edmonton Oil Kings forward and 2019-20 WHL Rookie of the Year Dylan Guenther was the top player selected from the WHL, chosen ninth overall by the Arizona Coyotes. Cole Sillinger of the Medicine Hat Tigers was the second WHL forward chosen, selected 12th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets
The Kamloops Blazers have announced the promotion of Shaun Clouston to General Manager / Head Coach. Clouston adds the General Manager duties after leading the Blazers as the Head Coach of back-to-back B.C. Division titles in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Prior to joining the Blazers in 2019, Clouston spent seven seasons as the Medicine Hat Tigers General Manager / Head Coach from 2013-2019. He has 450 career WHL wins which is 15th all-time and the most among all active coaches in the WHL.
Ontario Hockey League
2021 NHL Draft Highlights
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
The Wilf family has finalized its acquisition of Orlando City Soccer Club, becoming the Club's new majority owners, it was announced. The purchase includes Orlando City Soccer Club of Major League Soccer, the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League, Exploria Stadium and all related soccer assets, including the Orlando City Academy and Youth Soccer Network, and the Club's two official training facilities, the Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park and the Orlando Health Training Ground at Sylvan Lake Park.
A message from Chairman Mark Wilf. Welcome to Orlando, Wilf family.
Ricardo Pepi of FC Dallas scored a hat trick vs LA Galaxy! He is the youngest player in MLS history to score three goals in a gam at the age of 18.
National Women's Soccer League
Kansas City NWSL traded forward Amy Rodriguez and $60,000 in allocation money to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for forward Kristen Hamilton, goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and midfielder Hailie Mace. Rodriguez departs as one of the top contributors in Kansas City women's professional soccer history. In addition to her success with the US Women's National Team, the Lake Forest, Calif. native led FC Kansas City to two NWSL Championships and earned league MVP honors in 2015. Rodriguez totaled a combined 48 appearances and 28 goals for FC Kansas City and KC NWSL.
Marc Skinner has resigned as head coach of the Orlando Pride, effective immediately, to pursue a coaching opportunity outside of the National Women's Soccer League. Additionally, assistant coach Carl Green will also depart the Club. The Club's interim head coach will be announced in the near future.
Chicago Red Stars Mallory Pugh, forcing two own goals and scoring one for herself, but takes home Budweiser Play of the Week.
Verizon Save of the Week - Week 9 - Ashlyn Harris , Orlando Pride
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 13 of the 2021 regular season with Phoenix Rising FC forward Solomon Asante voted Player of the Week after recording one goal and three assists in his side's 5-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II at Wild Horse Pass on Saturday night.
USL Championship Save of the Week Winner - Week 13 - Jeffrey Dewsnup - Real Monarchs SLC
United Soccer League One
USL League One Goal of the Week Winner - Week 15 - Juan Galindrez - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Major Arena Soccer League 2
2021 MASL 2 League Champions - the Cleveland Crunch
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
In one of the more competitive WNBA All-Star games in recent history Team WNBA, with seven first-time All Stars came to compete. Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings, one of the first-timers, would capture MVP honors as Team WNBA took the victory over the USA Women's Team 93-85.
BIG3
EVERY game-winning shot from this week's action. Which was your favorite?
Take a closer look at Triplets' 2019 Championship rings
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
Under the Helmet at the ALL-STAR GAME
FOOTBALL
Champions Indoor Football
The Champions Indoor Football team in Billings will be known as the Billings Outlaws.
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
Top 5 Tries - Round 18
Biggest Hits - Week 18
American Ultimate Disc League
Top 10 Plays from Week 7
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
United States Hockey League Stories from July 27, 2021
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- 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.
