Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
January 25, 2022 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
This past week the United States Football League named two more head coaches with Skip Holtz tapped to head the Birmingham Stallions and Kirby Wilson being named head coach of the Pittsburgh Maulers; the Winnipeg Blue Bombers made quarterback Zach Collaros the highest paid player in the CFL; and Triple-A baseball unveiled it is moving to robot umpires this season. Highlights from this week are from the United States Football League, XFL, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, United States Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Premier Hockey Federation, Triple-A West League, High-A Central League, Pioneer League, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League One, National Lacrosse League, NBA G League, and American Ultimate Disc League.
FOOTBALL
United States Football League
The excitement continues to build for the April 16 start of the new United States Football League. The USFL announced two more of its head coaches on "The Herd," revealing two leaders with major coaching credentials who will lead franchises. With the news, six of the league's eight head coaches have been revealed. The two new coaches: Colin Cowherd and Joy Taylor unveil the next two head coaches in the new USFL. The Birmingham Stallions will be coached by Skip Holtz, son of legendary coach Lou Holtz. The Pittsburgh Maulers will be led by Kirby Wilson. Skip Holtz, who has 22 years of experience as a college head coach, will lead the Birmingham Stallions. Kirby Wilson, whose 36-year career includes 24 years as an NFL assistant, will be a head coach for the first time as he leads the Pittsburgh Maulers.
THE HERD - Colin & Joy unveil the next two head coaches in the new USFL
XFL
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on ESPN ManningCast
Canadian Football League
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announced the club has agreed to terms with all-star quarterback Zach Collaros on a one-year contract extension. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have rewarded quarterback Zach Collaros by making him the highest-paid player in the CFL for the 2022 season. Collaros will earn $550,000 - all hard money - on the one-year contract extension he signed for his QB services during the upcoming campaign. That's over a $125,000 raise from what the 33-year-old took home in 2021.
Indoor Football League
The Massachusetts Pirates have signed former National Football League wide receiver Jalin Marshall as they look to defend their Indoor Football League championship. This will be the fourth professional league for Marshall, who also has experience as a kick returner. The 5'10," 200 lb. product out of Ohio State most recently played in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he appeared in nine games from 2019 through 2021 making ten receptions for 159 yards.
Champions Indoor Football
The CIF announced its revised 16-week, 48-game regular-season schedule for 2022, which kicks off league play on Saturday night, March 12, with defending CIF Champion Omaha Beef hosting the newly rebranded Southwest Kansas Storm. The 2022 CIF schedule will include 5 returning teams, along with 3 new first-year teams, Topeka Tropics, Billings Outlaws, and Rapid City Marshals. The 2022 season will see a renewed focus on operational standards and fan engagement.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
WORLD RECORD!!! - 2022 Hershey Bears Teddy Bear Toss - 52,341 Stuffed Animals
ECHL
The ECHL All-Stars defeated the Jacksonville Icemen 14-7 in the 2022 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic in front of 7,687 fans at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Marcus Crawford of the Kansas City Mavericks was named Most Valuable Player of the event with three goals and an assist for the ECHL All-Stars. Anthony Nellis of Trois-Rivières also had a hat trick for the ECHL All-Stars while the Lions' Olivier Archambault had five assists.
Derek Lodermeier making it look easy
Plays of the Week
Saves of the Week
North American Hockey League
Top Plays of the Week
Western Hockey League
Top 10 Plays of the Week
Ontario Hockey League
Plays of the Week
Veteran OHL linesman Dustin McCrank shares his excitement ahead of working the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China. McCrank is the lone Canadian linesman on the event's officiating team. The Olympics will get underway on February 4th.
United States Hockey League
BioSteel All-American Game touted the best NHL Draft-eligible talent from the United States Hockey League (USHL) with Team Blue besting Team White 4-3 in overtime at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. This year's event, the first to reach overtime in the event's history, featured members of the USHL Member Clubs interspersed with members from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 roster, one of the 16 USHL Member Clubs.
Damien Carfagna netted the game-winning goal in overtime with help from Jack Harvey as Team Blue came back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to defeat Team White, 4-3, in overtime at the 2022 BioSteel All-American Game in Plymouth, Michigan
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
2022 NHL Draft - Under the Microscope - Gatineau Olympiques defenseman Noah Warren
Premier Hockey Federation
The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) announced a commitment from the Board of Governors to invest over $25 million in direct payments and benefits to its players over the next three years. The pledge includes more than $7.5 million in salary and benefits for the 2022-23 season. This represents the largest one-time independent investment in the history of professional women's hockey and will provide more financial opportunities for athletes while directly enhancing the player experience.
Premier Hockey Federation is investing $25 million in player salary and benefits over the next three years.
BASEBALL
Triple-A West League
Triple A moving to robot umpires in 2022
Reaction: Robot Umpires Promoted to AAA Baseball - The Michael Kay Show Reaction
Former Major League infielder Jared Sandberg has been named the new manager of the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Chihuahuas and San Diego Padres announced. Sandberg becomes the sixth manager in Chihuahuas history. Prior to joining the Padres' organization, Sandberg was part of the Seattle Mariners' coaching staff from 2019-2021, working as their Major League field coordinator in 2019 and bench coach from 2020-2021.
El Paso Chihuahuas announce 2022 manager, coaching staff
High-A Central League
The San Diego Padres announced the coaching staffs for their minor league affiliates for the 2022 season. The High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps will be managed by former Major League Baseball catcher Brian Esposito, who enters his first year at the helm after spending the last nine years in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization, including the past four as manager of the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians (2018-21).
Brian Esposito named manager of Fort Wayne TinCaps
Pioneer League
As its new stadium begins to take shape in the Flathead Valley, Ridge Run Baseball announces the much-anticipated team brand. Emphasizing the local history, scenery and culture, the Glacier Range Riders will make their debut this spring season. Inspired by early 20th-century outdoorsmen patrolling the 1.3 million acres that is now Glacier National Park, the name "Range Rider" has deep regional roots.
Introducing the Glacier Range Riders
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
OL Reign has signed NWSL MVP Jess Fishlock to a two-year deal, with a one-year option. Fishlock, a Reign original, had an incredible 2021 season. She played in 24 matches throughout the season and amassed 1,880 minutes of playing time - the second most of any OL Reign player during the 2021 season. The Welsh star scored five goals and tallied four assists, including one brace. Her efforts on the field earned her three NWSL Team of the Month honors, one Save of the Week honor and the title of 2021 NWSL MVP.
Thriving in all Fields. Former Houston forward Jamia Fields gives us an in-depth look at her clothing line, Stoic Los Angeles, in the first episode of "Game Changers" presented by Ally.
United Soccer League One
Inching closer to its inaugural USL League One season in 2023, Lexington Pro Soccer revealed a series of renderings for its proposed downtown stadium. Designed to be the centerpiece of the forthcoming High Street Development Project, the stadium will be located directly across from the Lexington Convention Center and Rupp Arena. The stadium, designed by renowned architecture firm Gensler, would exceed a capacity of 6,000 and feature 45,000 square feet of entertainment-focused retail with patio views overlooking both the stadium and Rupp Arena.
MLS NEXT Pro
North Texas SC announced that is has appointed Pa-Modou Kah as the second head coach in club history. Kah joins North Texas SC from the Canadian Premier League (CanPL) where he led Pacific FC to the 2021 title and was named CanPL Coach of the Year. Michel Garbini will maintain his role as an assistant coach and Vikram Virk, who worked alongside Kah at Pacific FC, will also join the staff as an assistant coach.
Major Arena Soccer League
The Major Arena Soccer League announced at the United Soccer Coaches Convention the creation of the first ever MASL College Draft. This will be the first indoor soccer college draft since the Major Indoor Soccer League hosted one in 2008. The draft will be an annual event taking place at the conclusion of the outdoor college soccer season. College players from the NCAA, NAIA, Division 1, 2, or 3 will be eligible for the draft. Players do not need to register in advance to be included. The draft will consist of five rounds, with the first two rounds being territorial.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The Philadelphia Wings' Corey Small records three goals and three assists, including his 700th career NLL point against the New York Riptide.
Georgia Swarm rookie Ethan Walker scored his first two NLL goals in a win over Rochester.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
Top 10 Plays of the Week: Week 3
League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim Joins Skyhawks vs. Ignite Broadcast
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
The Dallas Jackals are saddened to announce the club and intended Head Coach Michael Hodge have mutually decided that the Visa processing delays in Australia have proven to be untenable for Hodge to serve as the Jackals' head coach. Concurrent with the search for Hodge's successor, GM Elaine Vassie, Assistant Coach Aaron Jarvis, Strength & Conditioning Coach Matoko Noudehou, Coaching Consultant Brian Ashton, and Performance & Recruitment Analyst Darren Lewis will continue to lead the charge on preparing the team up for the 2022 Inaugural Season.
American Ultimate Disc League
Analyst Daniel Cohen shows how the Toronto Rush offense makes quick work of the defense with their patient-and-precise zone offense attack.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 25, 2022
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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.
