Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
July 5, 2022 - United States Football League (USFL)
This past week the Birmingham Stallions won the United States Football League Championship, Buffalo Bandits forward Dhane Smith was named National Lacrosse League Most Valuable Player, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Saint John Sea Dogs won their second Memorial Cup. Highlights from this week come from United States Football League, Canadian Football League, XFL, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Western Hockey League, 3ICE, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, BIG3, Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, High-A Central, Major League Rugby and American Ultimate Disc League.
FOOTBALL
United States Football League
The Birmingham Stallions' late touchdown lifted them over the Philadelphia Stars in a thrilling 33-30 victory in the inaugural USFL Championship.
The Birmingham Stallions are USFL Champions
Canadian Football League
Since Canadian QB Russ Jackson walked off the CFL field for the last time, there has always been talks of "the next one" at the position. It's been 50+ years of waiting, but has the next great Canadian QB finally arrived in BC Lions Nathan Rourke?
XFL
The XFL has started to leverage BreakAway Data's technology at the XFL Showcases to enhance our player development. Our coaches explain how this innovation enhances their evaluations and how it translates to the field of play.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
Buffalo Bandits forward Dhane Smith has been named the NLL's 2021-22 Most Valuable Player. Smith, 29, recorded 135 points, including an NLL-record 94 assists in 18 games. The previous assist record was held by Mark Matthews, who posted 84 helpers in 2018-19.
41 goals. 94 assists. A historic season for the MVP.
Buffalo Bandits forward Dhane Smith discusses his feelings after being named league MVP following the 2021-22 NLL season. He touches on the team's heartfelt congratulations message to him, the youth on the Bandits team and how the team looks for next season.
Buffalo Bandits goaltender Matt Vinc has been named the NLL Goaltender of the Year for the eighth time in the last 12 seasons. Vinc, 40, led the NLL in wins (14), saves (747) and save percentage (.807) during the 2021-22 campaign. He was one of four goalies to surpass the 1,000 minutes played mark during the season and finished third in the league with a 10.10 goals-against average.
Premier Lacrosse League
"Ball movement, baby. You've gotta catch, shoot & score." Archers Marcus Holman breaks down last night's 5 PT performance against the Redwoods
HOCKEY
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Saint John Sea Dogs have won their second Memorial Cup and their first championship on home ice in franchise history. Beating the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3 in front of a sold out crowd, the Sea Dogs came out to a hot start and finished strong with huge saves from Nikolas Hurtubise. Vincent Sévigny, Cam MacDonald, Riley Bezeau, William Dufour, Josh Lawrence, and Peter Reynolds found the back of the net to win the most coveted trophy in the Canadian Hockey League.
The Saint John Sea Dogs are Memorial Cup Champions!
American Hockey League
The Bakersfield Condors announced that Colin Chaulk has been named head coach. Chaulk, who became interim head coach on February 11, 2022, is the third head coach in the team's American Hockey League history and ninth overall in the organization's 25 seasons. Chaulk, 45, went 19-12-3 (.603%) at the helm of the Condors, including a 13-5-1 (.711) mark in the team's final 19 games to secure home-ice advantage and a top-four divisional finish in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Bakersfield went on to defeat the Abbotsford Canucks in the first round, notching the team's first-ever postseason series sweep.
What can fans expect from a Colin Chaulk coached team? Find out Behind Closed Dors
The Washington Capitals, the NHL affiliate of the Hershey Bears, announced the promotion of Emily Engel-Natzke to NHL video coordinator. The announcement was made by Washington senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan. "We are thrilled for Emily on her well-deserved promotion to the Capitals," said Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer. "In her two seasons with the Bears, Emily played an integral role among our coaching staff, and we have no doubt she will do an excellent job as she takes the next step to the NHL. ¬Â
ECHL
The Worcester Railers Hockey Club proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders and Chief Operating Officer Michael Myers announced today that the club has named Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman as the new Head Coach and General Manager. During his time as a player, Lavallee-Smotherman gained experience in coaching serving as a volunteer assistant with the Manchester Monarchs during the 2017-18 season guiding them to game seven in the Eastern Conference Final. He also served as a player assistant with the Belfast Giants during the 2019-20 campaign.
Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman is making his way from the ice to behind the bench as our new Head Coach and General Manager!
Western Hockey League
Road To The Draft Player Profile - Tyler Brennan
3ICE
"Yep, that's #1. ¬Â Thanks for the shoutout SportsCenter This was absolutely filthy.
3ICE in 3 Minutes: Week 2
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
Chicago's Sky Candace Parker becomes 1st WNBA Player with 6,000+ PTS, 3,000+ REB, 1,500+ AST
The Best of the WNBA: Week 7
NBA G League
G League Ignite head coach Jason Hart joins Episode 23 of The Weekly G presented by Kumho Tire to discuss the 2022 Ignite Draft class.
Santa Cruz Warriors' Top 10 Plays of the Season
Birmingham Squadron's Top 10 Plays of the Season
Rio Grande Valley Vipers' Top 10 Plays of the 2021-22 Season
BIG3
48-48. Next basket wins. Leandro Barbosa shows that championship DNA. Ball Hogs win. Ball Hogs win. Ball Hogs WIN!
WHAT A COMEBACK! Earl Clark caps off a stellar second-half by handing Ghost Ballers their first L of the year.
Aliens debut their full Euro-style offense and grab the win! It's not basketball. It's art.
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
Angel City Football Club (ACFC) confirmed that the team acquired forward Sydney Leroux through a trade with the Orlando Pride. In exchange, Orlando will receive ACFC's natural first-round pick in 2024, $75,000 in allocation money, plus the potential for an additional $10,000 allocation money in 2022 and another $10,000 in 2023 if Leroux meets certain performance-based criteria. Leroux has been on the Orlando Pride roster since 2018 and was a member of the US Women's National Team from 2011-2017, scoring 35 international goals. She was a key member of the winning USWNT squads at the 2012 London Olympics and 2015 Women's World Cup.
Copa Angelina celebrates a mutual love of Futbol, bringing together the storied history of the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol and the path Angel City FC is forging for women in sports. The event will highlight the rich Mexican culture in Los Angeles through entertainment, community outreach, and an annual competition on the pitch.
June Player of the Month - Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC
June Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally = Sam Coffey, Portland Thorns FC
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 16 of the 2022 regular season with Sacramento Republic FC forward Maalique Foster voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording both goals in Republic FC's 2-1 comeback victory against NorCal rival Monterey Bay F.C. at Cardinale Stadium after coming on as a second-half substitute.
BASEBALL
Plays of the Week
High-A Central
Of the 900 prospects MLB Pipeline ranks, 8 have a field tool of 70. Cubs No. 3 prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong proves why he's one of them with this catch for the South Bend Cubs.
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
The Major League Rugby Championship between the Seattle Seawolves and Rugby New York on FOX had 281,000 viewers.
Biggest Hits of the Week and our favorite moments from the 2022 Championship Final!
American Ultimate Disc League
The Top 10 plays from Week 9 of the 2022 AUDL regular season!
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 Football League Stories from July 5, 2022
- 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.
