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American Hockey League

Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
February 8, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)


This past week the Washington Spirit's Trinity Rodman became the highest paid player in National Women's Soccer League history, the CFL's Toronto Argonauts re-signed starting quarterback QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, and the AHL's Jonny Brodzinski set a franchise record for the Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring in 9 straight games. Highlights from this week are from the National Women's Soccer League, United States Football League, Indoor Football League, National Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, National Lacrosse League, Major League Rugby and American Ultimate Disc League.

SOCCER

National Women's Soccer League

The National Women's Soccer League's 2021 Rookie of the Year, 19-year-old Trinity Rodman, will become the highest-paid player in league history after she signed a contract extension with Washington Spirit, the club announced. The four-year deal is reported to be worth $1.1 million according to Sportico. Rodman was the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year, Presented by Ally after being the second overall pick in last season's draft and becoming the youngest player in league history.

Trinity Rodman scores highest sporting contract in America's National Women's Soccer League

The National Women's Soccer League announced that the league and the NWSL Players Association have agreed to their first-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement covering the next five seasons through 2026. The deal signals the collective commitment of owners and players to work in partnership as the NWSL continues its rapid growth. The agreement is subject to final approval from the NWSL Board of Governors.

The National Women's Soccer League announced the full schedule for the upcoming 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The expanded 39-game tournament is set to kick off March 18, 2022, with a rematch of last year's regular-season opener between the Kansas City Current and Racing Louisville FC. The match, to be hosted at Lynn Family Stadium, is slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET kick off.

Game Changers presented by Ally - Quinn, OL Reign

FOOTBALL

United States Football League

Here's Fran Stuchbury's USFL Head Coaches by the Numbers. To recap, in the North Division Jeff Fisher will lead the Michigan Panthers, Mike Riley helms the New Jersey Generals, Bart Andrus lands at the Philadelphia Stars, and Kirby Wilson commands the Pittsburgh Maulers. In the South Division Skip Holtz coaches the Birmingham Stallions, Kevin Sumlin takes charge at the Houston Gamblers, Larry Fedora guides the New Orleans Breakers and Todd Haley directs the fortunes of the Tampa Bay Bandits.

USFL Head Coaches Ranked!

Canadian Football League

The Toronto Argonauts Football club announced they have re-signed American QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Bethel-Thompson suited up for 14 games in 2021, starting nine, while going 203-for-306 for 2,303 yards and 12 touchdowns on route to his first divisional all-star nod. The 2019 CFL passing touchdown leader (26) was 7-2 as a starter and helped guide the Argos to nine wins in 2021 and first place in the East for the first time since 2017. The California native and four-year Argo became the seventh-leading passer in Boatmen history last season and was Toronto's team nominee for Most Outstanding Player.

Indoor Football League

Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day! Did you know that 9 out of our 15 IFL teams has a woman leading the charge? We recognize you but everyday we appreciate you!

BASKETBALL

NBA G League

There were a TON of incredible slams and clutch plays during Week 5 of G League action. Which one of them lands atop our Top 10 Plays of the Week?

Ignite forward Michael Foster Jr's Best of Season... So Far

Women's National Basketball Association

Las Vegas Aces Head Coach Becky Hammon announced that the team has re-signed 2020 WNBA M'VP A'ja Wilson. "A'ja is a generational talent both on and off the court, and I'm excited to have her back in the fold with the Aces," said Hammon. "She has been the leader of this team, and an integral part of the Las Vegas community since the day she was drafted, and I know our fans are ecstatic to once again have her at the forefront of our pursuit of a WNBA Championship."

The Seattle Storm announced two-time WNBA Champion, two-time WNBA Finals MVP and 2018 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart has re-signed with the team. "Stewie is the best player in the world and having her on our team means we will always be in the mix to compete for another championship," said Noelle Quinn, Storm Head Coach. "She takes great pride in her preparation, elevates everyone's level of play and most importantly just wants to win."

The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury announced the signing of the WNBA's leading scorer from a season ago, 2012 WNBA MVP and 2010 No. 1 overall pick Tina Charles. Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman: "Tina is an elite talent in our league and adding a player of her caliber is another example of our commitment to our fans and players to pursue a championship every year. Tina has made it clear that she wants to win and wants to do so in Phoenix. For us, this move is about adding absolute top-end talent into our frontcourt which already features what we consider the most dominant player in the game in BG and the league's best defender in Brianna Turner. We expect to be able to play all three fewer minutes which should benefit us in the playoffs."

Canadian Elite Basketball League

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the largest league of any professional sport in Canada, unveiled a 2022 season schedule Thursday that will see a record 100 games played in 69 days across 10 Canadian cities in six provinces. The CEBL's fourth season tips off with tripleheader action Wednesday, May 25, culminating with playoff rounds that begin August 4.

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

Rylan Hartley makes the SAVE OF THE YEAR

Kyle Buchanan ridiculous crease dive goal

Tom Schreiber aka Captain America scores four in a Toronto Rock victory over the Philadelphia Wings.

HOCKEY

American Hockey League

Jonny Brodzinski sets a franchise record for the Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring in 9 straight games.

San Diego Gulls assistant coach Daniel Jacob talks about his background in hockey, including his time on a Canadian reality TV show that helped earn him an NHL training camp invite.

ECHL

If you could be an Olympic athlete at any sport other than hockey, what would it be? Cheers to the 36 former ECHL players participating in Beijing!

Plays of the Week

North American Hockey League

Top Plays of the Week

Western Hockey League

WHL Top 10

Ontario Hockey League

Plays of the Week

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Get to know Quebec Remparts center Nathan Gaucher

BASEBALL

Triple A Baseball

Minor League Baseball today announced that the Triple-A regular season has been extended by six games to 150 games.

Atlantic League

The Lexington Legends announced in connection with Louisville Slugger Hitting Science Center that Lindsay Gardner will join the organization in a coaching role. Beyond her decorated on-field softball career with the Texas Longhorns, the USA National Softball Team, and National Pro Fastpitch, Lindsay Gardner has a long track record of coaching experience. After five seasons serving as Head Softball Coach at St. Edwards University in Austin, TX, Gardner founded Just Dig In, a baseball and softball training company specializing in hitting mechanics and mindset.

Appalachian League

The Elizabethton River Riders announce Jeremy Owens as the Manager for their 2022 season. Owens sports over 20 years of playing and coaching experience at the professional level, most recently serving as the River Riders hitting coach last year. A native of nearby Johnson City, the former outfielder was drafted in the eighth round of the 1998 draft out of MTSU by the San Diego Padres. He played five seasons in that organization, two with the Boston Red Sox, and finished his affiliated career with the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2006 and 2007. Owens continued his playing career with the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs from 2008-14 before moving into the coaching ranks as the team's manager in 2016.

The Princeton WhistlePigs announced Lamarr Rogers will lead the team for the 2022 season. Rogers, 2015 manager for the Greeneville Astros rejoins the Appy League as a manager of the WhistlePigs. "Honored and humbled for the opportunity to return to the league and communities that welcomed and provided me my first professional managing opportunity some years ago!" Rogers said.

The Bristol State Liners are excited to announce that Barbaro Garbey will manage the Bristol State Liners for the 2022 Appalachian League Season. Barbaro, in his second year, served as the Bristol State Liners hitting coach during the 2021 inaugural season. Before joining the Appalachian League, Garbey served as the hitting coach for the Danville Braves.

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

San Diego Legion announced it will be playing in the newest and the most elite rugby stadium in North America, Snapdragon Stadium. The hallmark deal, beginning in 2023, sees Major League Rugby (MLR) enter the big leagues with San Diego Legion set to play its home games at San Diego State University's new Snapdragon Stadium for up to ten years. The soon-to-open stadium will set a new standard for Major League Rugby. San Diego Legion's temporary home for the 2022 season will be the SDSU Sports Deck.

Beaudein Waaka of the New England Free Jacks earned the Rhino Rugby USA Try of the Week for his impressive run past NOLA's defense for the first Free Jack try of the season!

American Ultimate Disc League

Analyst Daniel Cohen demonstrates how Tim Okita and Michael Tran set up the San Diego Growlers offense with their handler motion.

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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American Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2022


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.


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