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Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
December 20, 2022 - Canadian Football League (CFL)


This past week the Premier Hockey Federation announced a doubling of its salary cap for next season, the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes named Jason Maas its new head coach, and long-time Arena Football League Head Coach John Gregory passed away at the age of 84. Highlights from this week come from the Premier Hockey Federation, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Canadian Football League, Arena Football League, United States Football League, NBA G League, Major League Soccer and American Ultimate Disc League.

HOCKEY

Premier Hockey Federation

The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced a significant salary cap increase for next season, doubling the amount from $750,000 to $1.5 million per team in 2023-24. Heading into the league's ninth season, it marks the third annual salary cap raise and represents 900 percent growth since 2021 when the cap was just $150,000 per team. "This historic salary cap increase reflects the strength of our league and developing business model, and supports an enhanced player experience that over the last year has introduced full healthcare benefits, facility upgrades, league expansion, and a record 84-game schedule," said Reagan Carey, PHF Commissioner.

Minnesota Whitecaps players talk PHF salary cap increase

There was a big push forward in women's hockey. The PHF invested in their players and doubled the salary cap. Lindsay Dunn speaks with Toronto Six star Mikyla Grant-Mentis about the announcement and her breakout season.

The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that its 2023 All-Star weekend will take place in Toronto, Ontario with a pinnacle showcase event on Sunday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Presented by Air Canada and Sailun Tire, this year's format will include three teams comprised of American, Canadian, and Global talents selected from all seven PHF clubs and representing their countries in a mini round-robin competition and championship. The game will be broadcast live across the United States on ESPN2 and in Canada on TSN.

American Hockey League

Historic home opener: Coachella Valley Firebirds win first game at sold out Acrisure Arena

ECHL

Plays of the Week

Federal Prospect Hockey League

The Watertown Wolves are thrilled to announce the hiring of Stephen Esau as the team's new Head Coach for the rest of the 2022-2023 season. Entering his first season with the Wolves Stephen brings over 26 years of knowledge of coaching, scouting, and recruiting experience. He recently was the Assistant Coach with Texas Brahams of the NA3HL. "We are excited to have Stephen as our new head coach. I got a good feeling about him when we had the phone interview. He provided a lot of insight and feedback about our past games and what he thought about the roster we currently have. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Wolves." He brings a strong work ethic and drive to succeed to our team. Curtis Mosely President/GM.

North American Hockey League

The top plays in the NAHL from December 5 - December 11, 2022

Western Hockey League

New Jersey Devils prospect Josh Filmon became the first WHL player to score six goals in a game in nearly 14 years, collecting a half-dozen tallies for the Swift Current Broncos.

Ontario Hockey League

OHL Plays of the Week

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Top 5 - Week 12

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

Montreal Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia announced that Jason Maas has been named the 27th head coach in team history. Maas, who served as the Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, was Edmonton's Head Coach from 2016 to 2019, where he compiled a 39-33 record, leading the team to the playoffs three times in four seasons. He began his coaching career in 2012 with the Toronto Argonauts as a quarterbacks coach for three seasons. He hoisted the Grey Cup in his first year in the Queen City. The 47-year-old coach also served as the offensive coordinator for the Ottawa REDBLACKS in 2015.

Interview with GM Danny Maciocia on hiring of Jason Maas

Just in time for fans who may have season tickets on their holiday wish lists, the Canadian Football League released its full schedule for 2023. "From the first regular season game next June to the 110th Grey Cup in November, it promises to be a season of big plays and big fun right across the country," said Randy Ambrosie, the Commissioner of the CFL. The season is packed with all the features fans love: warm summer nights at the stadium, crisp fall afternoons during the playoff push, and the iconic Grey Cup championship game, which is set for Sunday, November 19 at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.

Highlights from BC Lions Quarterback Nathan Rourke after his record-breaking sophomore season in the CFL

Arena Football League

The Iowa Barnstormers are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of legendary Iowa Barnstormers Head Coach John Gregory. A huge part of the Barnstormers organization, John Gregory laid the foundation for Barnstormers football after being named the first ever Head Coach of the franchise. In 1995, the Iowa Barnstormers were set to make their Arena Football debut and Coach Gregory was tasked with building his team from the ground up. In doing so, he unknowingly left a high standard for years to come. From 1995 to 2000, Gregory coached the Barnstormers to five division titles and led the team to two Arena Bowls. He is also credited with launching the careers of two of the greatest AFL quarterbacks in Aaron Garcia and Kurt Warner (who went on to be a Super Bowl MVP).

National Arena League

The National Arena League is sad to announce the passing last week of former commissioner John Gregory. He was 84. Gregory served as the National Arena League's first commissioner where he oversaw the league's inception and inaugural season in 2017. Gregory's leadership was instrumental in the league's early success, his knowledge of the sport and perspective was fundamental to the growth of the NAL.

United States Football League

The USFL and United Steelworkers, who represent the USFL players, are pleased to announce a tentative collective bargaining agreement for USFL Season 2 and beyond. The deal reflects the beginning of a mutually beneficial working relationship between the League and Players that reinforces our collective goal of making the USFL the most player-friendly professional spring football league.

Former Alabama A&M University QB Aqeel Glass is getting another shot at playing professional football as he signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

Jacob Ruest scores off a give and go to put the Las Vegas Desert Dogs on the board in their first-ever game at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Reilly O'Connor scores his first hat trick for New York!

Premier Lacrosse League

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster has announced the 12-man rosters for the 2023 Championship Series. Archers LC, Atlas LC, Chrome LC, and Whipsnakes LC will travel 12-man rosters to The St. James in Springfield, VA. Each club will play three round-robin games from Wednesday to Friday to determine seeding for the semifinals on Saturday. Winners will advance to the Championship on Sunday, February 26th.

BASKETBALL

NBA G League

Get to know more about 2023 NBA Draft prospect and high-flying big man Efe Abogidi as he plays for G League Ignite this season.

Canadian Elite Basketball League

The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced that Mike Taylor has been named the first Head Coach and General Manager of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) expansion franchise. Mike Taylor brings to the table two decades worth of professional coaching experience. Most recently, he served as the head coach for the CEBL's Fraser Valley Bandits. Prior to that, he coached the Polish national team from 2014 to 2021, bringing their world ranking up from #42 to #13. He also led the team to a top 8 finish at the World Cup in China in 2019 and three EuroBasket appearances in 2015, 2017 and 2022.

The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite basketball League (CEBL) announced the signing of Steve Sir as the team's General Manager and Jordan Baker as their Head Coach. Both Sir and Baker bring significant pro-level playing experience with them and are integral members of the local basketball community in Edmonton. Jordan Baker has been one of the Stingers' best players over the past four seasons. He is a two-time CEBL champion, a four-time All-CEBL player, and has been honored with the CEBL Canadian Player of the Year award in 2020.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer today announced new four-year linear television agreements in the U.S. and Canada: FOX Sports (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes) and TelevisaUnivision (Univision/UNIMÁS /TUDN) in the U.S., and TSN and RDS in Canada. The new linear agreements complement the transformative 10-year partnership between MLS and Apple starting next year that will feature MLS Season Pass and provide fans an unprecedented and innovative broadcast package featuring the most comprehensive and accessible schedule of games and programming in the history of the league.featuring the most comprehensive and accessible schedule of games and programming in the history of the league. For each of the four MLS seasons through 2026, FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes will have exclusive English and Spanish language linear broadcast rights to an average of 34 regular season and eight Audi MLS Cup Playoff games. FOX and FOX Deportes will also be the linear broadcast home for MLS Cup in the U.S. for the next four years.

As we close the page on 2022, let's look back at the top 10 goals in MLS as selected by our video staff.

United Soccer League Championship

El Paso Locomotive FC has named Brian Clarhaut as Head Coach and Technical Director as the club enters its fifth USL Championship campaign. A native of Medford, New Jersey, Clarhaut has 11 years of coaching experience and was one of the few American coaches managing a team in Europe in recent years, most recently as the head coach of GIF Sundsvall in the Allsvenskan, the top tier of Swedish professional soccer.

MLS NEXT Pro

Austin FC announced today the Club has signed Brett Uttley as the first-ever Head Coach of Austin FC II, the Club's new MLS NEXT Pro team set to begin competing in 2023. Uttley holds both a UEFA A License and a UEFA Elite Youth A License from the Welsh Football Association, and most recently served as an assistant coach at Inter Miami CF. "I'm very excited to have the chance to lead Austin FC II in its inaugural season in MLS NEXT Pro," said Uttley. "The soccer community in Austin is amazing, and I can't wait to get started."

OTHER SPORTS

American Ultimate Disc League

Top 10 throws from the 2022 AUDL season

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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