Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
November 29, 2022 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
This past week the Connecticut Sun named Stephanie White its new head coach, MLS Next Pro revealed Cleveland will join its ranks for the 2025 season, the Kansas City Comets' Jenna Winebrenner became the first female assistant coach in the Major Arena Soccer League, and the Canadian Elite Basketball League champions Hamilton Honey Badgers relocated to Brampton, Ontario. Highlights from this week come from Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, Canadian Elite Basketball League, MLS Next Pro, Major Arena Soccer League, Canadian Football League, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
The Connecticut Sun announced Stephanie White as the franchise's sixth head coach. White, an Indiana native, brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to Connecticut, having enjoyed great success at every level of the game as a player, coach and television analyst. White has a combined 15 seasons of experience as a player and coach in the WNBA. Most recently, she spent two seasons as the head coach of the Indiana Fever (2015, 2016), compiling an overall record of 37-31 and playoff record of 6-6, including a trip to the 2015 WNBA Finals and a 2016 postseason berth.
The Connecticut Sun have announced Stephanie White as their new head coach.
NBA G League
Top 10 Plays of the Week
Canadian Elite Basketball League
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the CEBL Champion Hamilton Honey Badgers announced that due to the closure of Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre during the 2024 and 2025 CEBL seasons while arena renovations occur, the Honey Badgers are being permanently relocated to Brampton in time to begin play for the 2023 season. The league and team were informed in a letter on November 11 that FirstOntario Centre would not be available to accommodate basketball games.
The Champs are coming to Brampton
The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced that head coach and general manager Jermaine Small will not be returning for a fifth season in 2023. Small has been released from his contract so that he can focus full-time on his role as head coach of the men's basketball program at the University of Lethbridge. Small departs Edmonton with a regular season record of 42-18 (70%) and a playoff record of 4-2 (66%). The Stingers finished sixth in the 2022 CEBL standings with a record of 10-10 and were eliminated by a 94-91 loss at Saskatchewan in the opening round of the playoffs.
National Basketball League of Canada
The NBL Canada has concluded its operating agreement with Atlantic Sport Enterprises Ltd., owners of the St. John's Edge, meaning the team will no longer participate in league activities. "Part of the story of our league is written in Newfoundland. On behalf of the league, I thank Atlantic Sport Enterprises and the St. John's Edge franchise not only for their service to NBL Canada, but for their contributions toward growing the game of basketball from coast to coast," NBL Canada commissioner Audley Stephenson said. "I wish them well into the future. ¬Â
SOCCER
MLS NEXT Pro
MLS NEXT Pro announced the addition of a third independent club to the League. Cleveland, Ohio will launch a new team that plans to begin play in 2025, joining Rochester New York FC and the recently established Carolina Core FC as independent teams within MLS NEXT Pro, pending sanctioning approval by U.S. Soccer. More details about the Cleveland team, including name, stadium plans, crest and colors, will be announced at a later date.
Cleveland lands MLS Next Pro expansion team; will begin play in 2025
Major Arena Soccer League
The Kansas City Comets have announced the addition of the NWSL Kansas City Current defender Jenna Winebrenner to the 2022-23 coaching staff making Winebrenner the first female coach in MASL history. MASL Commissioner Keith Tozer noted Winebrenner's experience and resumé when discussing what she brings to the Comets and League when he said, "We are honored to have Jenna Winebrenner join the coaching staff of the Kansas City Comets. Her professional experience and passion for the game will be an asset behind the bench. As the first female coach in the Major Arena Soccer League, we know she will be an inspiration to the next generation of soccer players, coaches and sports professionals watching our games. ¬Â
The Kansas City Comets (1-0-1) and St. Louis Ambush (1-1-0) finished their I-70 Series with another tightly played contest at Cable Dahmer Arena with Kansas City picking up a 4-2 win in front of 4,131 fans.
National Women's Soccer League
NJ/NY Gotham FC announced the signing of goalkeeper Abby Smith to a three-year contact through the 2025 NWSL season. The 29-year-old Smith joins Gotham FC after winning the 2022 NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns. "Our club is really pleased to welcome Abby Smith to Gotham FC," said Yael Averbuch West, Gotham FC GM and Head of Soccer Operations. "Abby is a very talented and highly competitive goalkeeper. She's an important addition for us. ¬Â
Game Changers, Episode 4 - Kansas City Current midfielder, Desiree Scott, has had many goals as a professional athlete. Creating a loving and supportive environment for her brother DeeJay has been atop her list.
United Soccer League Championship
Memphis 901 FC announced that the club has agreed to terms with former Atlanta United and Aberdeen FC manager Stephen Glass to become the club's new Head Coach. Glass joined Atlanta United in 2018 as the academy coach and made a name for himself developing young talent before being promoted to head coach of Atlanta United 2 in 2019. The former Scotland international took over Atlanta United's First Team as interim head coach during the summer of 2020 before moving back to the USL side. Glass most recently served as manager for Aberdeen FC of the Scottish Premiership.
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
Last Sunday's CFL Grey Cup averaged 158,000 viewers on ESPN2, up from last year's audience of 129,000 and a four-year high.
The Toronto Argonauts being celebrated after winning the Grey Cup championship. Lindsay Dunn was there as the festivities got underway.
After an electrifying night at Grey Cup 109 find out which plays cracked the top 5 in Timber Mart Plays of the Week!
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The Grand Rapids Griffins signed forward Alex Chiasson (SHAY-sahn) to a professional tryout. Chiasson, 32, has spent the past nine seasons in the National Hockey League with stints at the Dallas Stars (2012-14), Ottawa Senators (2014-16), Calgary Flames (2016-17), Washington Capitals (2017-18), Edmonton Oilers (2018-21) and the Vancouver Canucks (2021-22). Chiasson lifted the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018 when he bagged two points (1-1-2) in 16 playoff appearances. Through 631 NHL games, the Montreal, Quebec, native has 224 points (114-110-224) and 353 penalty minutes.
Kyle Criscuolo makes the fluffy friends fly and it's raining teddy bears in Grand Rapids!
Fastest Teddy Bear toss in Bakersfield Condors history!
ECHL
Éric Bélanger resigned from his position as head coach of the Lions de Trois-Rivières. On an interim basis, General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations, Marc-André Bergeron, will assume the responsibilities of Head Coach. Assistant Coach Pascal Rhéaume and Coordinator of Hockey Operations Alex Cousineau will remain in place to assist Bergeron in his new temporary function. The 44-year-old, who was the first in history to occupy this position for the team, is leaving the organization for personal reasons. Bélanger compiled 40 wins, 35 losses and 7 overtime losses during his tenure.
Plays of the Week
Federal Prospects Hockey League
Phil Esposito was fired as head coach of the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Joe Pace Jr will be stepping into the role of head coach for the interim of the season, until a new coach can be found. All other staff will remain the same. Esposito was the first coach in Federal Prospects Hockey League Mississippi Sea Wolves history. His record was 2-9-2, leaving the Sea Wolves last in the Continental Division of the FPHL. Previously, Esposito coached multiple teams in the Southern Professional Hockey League, as well as the FPHL.
North American Hockey League
The top plays in the NAHL from November 14-20, 2022
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10
Ontario Hockey League
OHL Plays of the Week
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Top 5 - Week 9
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
MLS NEXT Pro Stories from November 29, 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.
