Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
February 15, 2022 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)

This past week the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts signed 2019 Most Outstanding Player WR Brandon Banks, the NWSL's Washington Spirit unveiled new owner Michele Kang, and the Southern Professional Hockey League's Knoxville Ice Bears signed Head Coach Jeff Carr to an extension through the 2024-25 season. Highlights from this week are from the Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League, National Women's Soccer League, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, NBA G League, Major League Rugby and American Ultimate Disc League.

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

The Toronto Argonauts announced they have signed American WR Brandon Banks. "We want to welcome Brandon and his family to Toronto and couldn't be more excited for him to join the organization," said Argos Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie. "Brandon gives us a ball in hand receiver and a vertical threat to our passing game, while providing veteran leadership. What he's done in this league is phenomenal and we are thrilled he'll be in Double Blue. ¬Â Banks, 34, was the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2019, is a four-time CFL All-Star ('14-'15, '18-'19), six-time East All-Star ('14-'19), and was the league's Most Outstanding Special Team's Player in 2015.

Here are Brandon Banks highlights from the 2019 season.

Indoor Football League

In recognition of Black History Month, we would like to recognize these seven Head Coaches. Thank you for helping make the IFL a special league to be a part of!

National Arena League

The Jacksonville Sharks announce the signing of quarterback Warren Smith who signs for his 10th season of arena football and first with the Jacksonville Sharks. Warren Smith (6'0, 200) spent the 2021 season with the Jersey Flight of the National Arena League. Smith played in all eight games for Jersey leading the team in the air with 167 completions for 1,561 yards and 25 touchdowns. Smith also led the Flight on the ground rushing for 17 yards and four rushing touchdowns. In 2019, Smith was the starting quarterback for the Atlantic City Blackjacks of the Arena Football League (AFL) completing 84 passes for 994 yards and 19 touchdowns.

The Albany Empire announced that we have signed Quarterback Mike Fafaul. Fafaul played his college football for the UCLA Bruins and was a key member of the 2019 National Arena League Championship Jacksonville Sharks team. This will be Fafaul's second stop here in the Capital Region as he was a member of the 2018 inaugural season of the Albany Empire.

After a record-setting year in which he won the NAL MVP award, Mason Espinosa will be back with Columbus for the 2022 season as the Lions for their first NAL Championship. This is the first year of the NAL Ironman rules, however, quarterbacks are protected and will not play on both sides of the ball. Espinosa made his return to the Lions last year after spending one season with the Albany Empire, winning the final AFL Championship as the backup to Tommy Grady.

Champions Indoor Football

The Billings Outlaws would like to introduce the all-time leading passer in IFL history Charles McCullum to the organization. Charles was with the Spokane Shock in 2021 and broke the IFL all-time leading passing record which was held by former Billings Outlaws QB Chris Dixon.

SOCCER

National Women's Soccer League

The owners of the Washington Spirit have agreed on a new ownership structure. Local business leader Michele Kang will acquire the interests of other team owners Bill Lynch and Steve Baldwin. Kang will be the controlling owner, working with other investors in a new ownership group. The new ownership group, led by Kang, looks to build on the foundation laid by Lynch and Baldwin, taking the championship team forward into an exciting new chapter.

Game Changers presented by Ally - Arin Wright, Chicago Red Stars

NWSL 2022 Challenge Cup - Coming March 18th

Canadian Premier League

The Canadian Premier League with the support of all its member clubs, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Harrop as FC Edmonton President effective immediately. A resident of Edmonton, Jeff has held extensive leadership roles in a range of dynamic, highly competitive industries including sports & entertainment, food & beverage, consumer packaged goods, and financial services. An accomplished business leader with a 20-year track record, Harrop's experience includes his role as Senior Vice President Marketing and a member of the Executive Leadership Team at Oilers Entertainment Group.

MLS NEXT Pro

New York City Football Club (NYCFC) named Matt Pilkington as Head Coach and Danny Cepero as Assistant Coach for the newly launched NYCFC II team as part of MLS NEXT Pro. Pilkington has been with the NYCFC Academy since 2016. Serving as Head Coach of the U-15/U-16 and U-19 groups culminating with the U-16 Generation Adidas Cup Premier Division Champions and back-to-back National Championship titles with the U-19s. An experienced coach, the Rochdale, England native has coached every Homegrown player NYCFC has signed to their First Team to date.

HOCKEY

American Hockey League

Nick Caamano records a short handed tally in his 150th AHL game.

The Springfield Thunderbirds' leading point scorer, Matthew Peca, notches his 16th of the season

ECHL

Plays of the Week

Saves of the Week

Southern Professional Hockey League

The Knoxville Ice Bears have signed Head Coach Jeff Carr to an extension through the 2024-25 season. Carr is currently in his fifth season with the Ice Bears after being hired in June, 2017. Carr is 135-80-23 (.615) as Knoxville's bench boss. The Ice Bears have advanced to the semifinals in each President's Cup playoff during his tenure. Last season Knoxville finished second in the regular season-its highest finish since 2009-and set a franchise record with a ten-game win streak.

North American Hockey League

Top Plays of the Week

Western Hockey League

The Western Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Regina Pats forward Brad Hornung. Hornung passed away Tuesday evening following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was 52. "Brad was not only a great friend to all of us at the WHL, but his positive outlook on life was an inspiration to everyone who knew him," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "Brad will always have a special place in our hearts, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. ¬Â Hornung, a native of Regina, Sask., played two seasons with the Regina Pats, registering 101 points (49G-52A) in 126 regular season games played.

WHL Top 10

Ontario Hockey League

Plays of the Week

2022 NHL Draft prospect Isaiah George and the London Knights took center stage on TSN, visiting the Kitchener Rangers in a Midwest Division clash.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Plays of the Week

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

Cody Jamieson led the Halifax Thunderbirds over the Philadelphia Wings with a hat trick.

Jeff Teat scored nine points including three goals for the New York Riptide vs. the Georgia Swarm.

Air Byrne leaps and dunks an amazing overhand dunk goal against the Toronto Rock.

Premier Lacrosse League

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster has announced its first six tour stops of the 2022 season, including the league's first-ever tour stop in Charlotte, NC. The PLL will open its season on June 4th and 5th at Tom and Mary Casey Stadium at UAlbany. For the first time ever, the PLL will travel to North Carolina, holding its Week 2 games on June 10th and June 11th at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte. On June 17th and June 18th, the PLL will return to James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University on Long Island. Homewood Field at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore will host Week 4 on Friday, June 24th and Saturday, June 25th. In Week 5, the PLL will return to TCO Stadium in Minneapolis from July 1st to July 2nd. Following a bye week, the 2022 Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Game will take place at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, July 16th.

Where is the PLL going this summer? Part One.

BASKETBALL

NBA G League

Top 10 Plays of the Week: Week 6

G League Ignite's Top 10 Plays of the Season... So Far

BASEBALL

High-A Central League

The Chicago Cubs announced the farm system's minor league coordinators and coaching staffs for the 2022 season. Last year's South Bend Cubs manager Michael Ryan will be the new manager for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, and South Bend's new manager will be Lance Rymel. Lance Rymel will manage the South Bend Cubs for the first time after guiding the Rookie League Mesa Cubs in 2021. Rymel also managed the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League in 2021 and won the league title.

Appalachian League

The Greeneville Flyboys announce Jermaine Curtis as the Manager for their 2022 season. Curtis joins the Flyboys with 14 years of playing, scouting, and player development experience under his belt. "I am excited to manage at Greeneville," said Curtis. "I want to help these young men develop on the field as professionals, but I also want to give back to the community. If we do these two things, I believe we can bring another championship back to Greeneville. ¬Â

The Johnson City Doughboys announce Kevin Mahoney as the manager for their 2022 season. Mahoney sports more than 14 years of playing and coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level. "It is an honor to be named the manager of the Johnson City Doughboys for the 2022 Appalachian League season," said Mahoney. "I value the goals of the Appalachian League greatly, and am very thankful to Boyd Sports for giving me the opportunity to represent Johnson City. I am very excited to work alongside such a wonderful team of people at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. I look forward to an amazing season ahead, providing the Johnson City fans with a summer of great memories while watching the Doughboys players develop and compete for a championship! ¬Â

Northwoods League

Partners of Toycen Baseball Club announce the purchase of the Eau Claire Express Baseball Team of the Northwoods League. The Eau Claire Express is currently owned by Eau Claire Baseball, managed by Bill Rowlett, Dale Rowlett, and Andy Neborak. Rowlett is one of the founders of the Eau Claire Express Baseball Team. Toycen Baseball Club is owned and managed by the Toycen Family, owners of Toycen Ford in Chippewa Falls. Their family has been involved in automotive sales in the Chippewa Valley for over 70 years.

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

MLR Biggest Hits |- Week 1

The Dallas Jackals earned the Rhino Rugby Try of the Week for an epic break down the field to Conrado Roura for the try!

American Ultimate Disc League

Analyst Daniel Cohen dissects how Chicago's Ross Barker reads the opposing offense for an easy interception in the lane.

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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Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury

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