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NWSL National Women's Soccer League

Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
January 10, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)


This past week the XFL announced its 2023 schedule which included the revelation the Las Vegas Vipers will play at Cashman Field, the Women's National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Sparks named Karen Bryant to the role of Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, and the National Women's Soccer League's Kansas City Current signed free agent midfielder Debinha. Highlights from this week come from the XFL, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, National Women's Soccer League, National Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Federal Prospect Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Premier Hockey Federation.

FOOTBALL

XFL

The XFL announced its 2023 schedule in partnership with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, the exclusive broadcast partner of the XFL. Key details: All 43 XFL games (40 regular season games, two playoffs, one championship) will be featured on a combination of ABC (7 games), ESPN and ESPN2 (22 games), and FX (15 games). All XFL games will be streamed on ESPN+ and simulcasted in 142 countries around the world. The eight XFL teams are split into two divisions: XFL North (D.C. Defenders, Seattle Sea Dragons, St. Louis Battlehawks, Vegas Vipers) and XFL South (Arlington Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, Orlando Guardians, San Antonio Brahmas).

The XFL Las Vegas Vipers will play at Cashman Field

Canadian Football League

The Ottawa REDBLACKS are bringing back receiver and return specialist DeVonte Dedmon for two more years. In 22 career CFL games, Dedmon has returned 83 punts for 1,250 yards and three touchdowns, along with 73 kick returns for 1,947 yards and two touchdowns. Offensively, Dedmon has caught 23 of 26 passes for 219 yards, 148 of those coming after the catch.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce the club signed all-star offensive tackle Stanley Bryant to a one-year extension. He was scheduled to become a free agent in February. Bryant added to his legacy as one of the most decorated linemen in Blue Bombers and CFL history in 2022 in being honoured as the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for a record fourth time while also being selected to the CFL All-Star team for a seventh time. He is three-time Grey Cup champion, having won in 2019 and 2021 with the Blue Bombers and 2014 with Calgary.

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association

Los Angeles Sparks Owner and Managing Partner Eric Holoman announced today the appointment of Karen Bryant to the role of Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager. Bryant will oversee both business and basketball operations for the three-time WNBA champions. Bryant has served in executive leadership roles within the sports industry for over 25 years, including a 15-year tenure with the Seattle Storm where she served as Chief Operating Officer for six years before holding the position of President and Chief Executive Officer for her final seven years with the team. Under her guidance, she led the Storm through a successful transition from affiliation with the NBA Seattle SuperSonics and spearheaded a growth in revenues including securing the Storm's first jersey partnership. During her tenure, the franchise also won two WNBA championships in 2004 and 2010.

"We are in this for sustained success." Chief Administrative Officer & General Manager, Karen Bryant, on recent announcements

NBA G League

G League Top Dunks of 2022

SOCCER

National Women's Soccer League

The Kansas City Current have signed free agent midfielder Débora Cristiane de Oliveira, commonly known as Debinha (deh-BEEN-yuh). One of the most sought-after free agents this offseason, the Brazilian national is signed with the club through the 2024 season with a third-year option. "We are thrilled to welcome Debinha to Kansas City," said co-owners Angie and Chris Long. "Debinha is one of the most talented, accomplished, and well-known players in the world. Her name is synonymous with excellence. We can't wait for Kansas City to have the special opportunity to watch Debinha play and cheer her on."

Angel City Football Club (ACFC) announced that the club has executed deals with both the Portland Thorns and NJ/NY Gotham FC to acquire the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally. In a transaction with the Thorns, ACFC traded the club's 2023 NWSL Draft natural first-round pick (No. 5), ACFC's 2024 natural second-round pick, and $200,000 in allocation money in exchange for midfielder Yazmeen Ryan. ACFC then traded Ryan and $250,000 in allocation money to Gotham FC in exchange for the 2023 NWSL Draft No. 1 pick, pending conditions met. The draft will take place Thursday, January 12 in Philadelphia.

The North Carolina Courage have re-signed goalkeeper Casey Murphy to a three-year, guaranteed contract through the 2025 season. The U.S. Women's National Team mainstay has been with the Courage since the 2021 season. Murphy made 18 starts in goal for the Courage in 2022, pitching six clean sheets. She made 58 saves for a 70.6 save percentage and held a 1.50 goals-against average. The 25-year-old has appeared in 89 professional matches, including 60 in the NWSL and 41 for the Courage. She holds a career 0.87 goals-against average and 77.4 save percentage.

Game Changers Presented by Ally - Racing Louisville forward Nadia Nadim fled Afghanistan with her family for asylum in Denmark. It's there that Nadim became an international star. And now, she's a doctor as well.

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

Hang it proudly, Loud House! Your 2022 NLL Champions Colorado Mammoth

Buffalo's Tehoka Nanticoke continued his dominant play this season, scoring 4 goals and 4 assists as the Bandits beat Georgia 18-9.

HOCKEY

American Hockey League

American Hockey League President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Howson announced that Syracuse Crunch forward Gabriel Dumont and Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Brian Lashoff have been selected as the playing captains for the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Bell in collaboration with Manulife Bank, to be held February 5-6 in Laval, Que. A 13th-year pro, Dumont is in his second stint with Syracuse and his third season overall wearing the captain's "C" for the Crunch. Lashoff has played the entirety of his 13-year pro career in the Detroit Red Wings organization, making his debut as an 18-year-old with Grand Rapids in 2009.

Abbotsford Canucks Linus Karlsson between-the-legs goal. On repeat.

ECHL

The Fort Wayne Komets announced that Hall of Fame member Bobby Rivard passed away on January 1, 2023, at 83. Born in Sherbrooke, PQ, on August 1, 1939, Bobby "Rivet" Rivard played parts of five seasons with the Komets, collecting 149 goals and 273 assists for a total of 422 points, ranking him 18th on the Komets' all-time scoring list. During the 1965-66 season, Rivard put together one of the greatest seasons in Komets history, scoring 42 goals and 91 assists for 133 points in 70 games. Only Len Thornson passed for more assists in a single season. From 1962-1966, Rivard did not miss a regular season game to establish the franchise record of 280 consecutive games played.

Plays of the Week

Federal Prospect Hockey League

Binghamton Black Bears forward Tyler Gjurich scored his 300th career GOAL!!!

North American Hockey League

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the membership application for an NAHL team in Greeley, Colorado owned by Colorado Sports Partners, LLC, an entity owned and operated by Bob Bowden, Casey Bradshaw, and David Clarkson. The team will be known as the Colorado Grit and will compete in the South Division beginning in the 2023-24 season out of the Greeley Ice Haus in Greeley, Colorado.

The top plays in the NAHL from December 26, 2022 - January 1, 2023

Western Hockey League

The Western Hockey League is proud to recognize 11 current and former WHL players and four WHL personnel returning from the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship with gold as members of Team Canada, following a 3-2 overtime win over Czechia in Halifax, N.S. Former Edmonton Oil Kings star and WHL Champion Dylan Guenther was the star of the gold medal game, registering the overtime winner to vault Canada to victory. The product of Edmonton also opened the scoring for Canada 12:41 into the first period of play. The Arizona Coyotes youngster added an assist in the second period, helping on a goal from captain Shane Wright.

With an assist on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, against the Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks goaltender Dante Giannuzzi set a new club record for career assists by a goaltender with 10. Giannuzzi set the new mark during the Winterhawks' 7-2 victory after making a save and quickly moving the puck up ice to Aiden Sotas. The rookie then dished it to Marcus Nguyen, who wired it in from the right circle, giving Giannuzzi the secondary assist to set the club record. The 20-year-old from Winnipeg, Man. passed Clint Malarchuk (nine assists, 1979-81) and Byron Dafoe (nine assists, 1987-91) to reach the top spot.

Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard marked his return to the WHL with a four-goal, six-point performance

Ontario Hockey League

Seven OHL players and a number of hockey operations representatives are Canadian World Junior gold medalists, contributing to a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Czechia in Halifax, N.S. Canadian captain Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs) celebrated his 19th birthday with a goal while Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts) and Brennan Othmann (Peterborough Petes) both finished the gold medal game with two assists as Dylan Guenther scored the golden goal, solidifying Canada as the first country to win back-to-back golds at the World Juniors since 2008 & 2009.

OHL Plays of the Week

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Top 10 Plays of December 2022

Premier Hockey Federation

Connecticut Whale defenseman Mallory Souliotis works with New England Epilepsy Foundation

BASEBALL

Prospect League

The Prospect League, home to elite collegiate baseball players from across the country, named David Brauer as its new commissioner. Brauer brings extensive college athletics administration experience to the post, most recently spending a decade as Assistant Commissioner at the NCAA Division I Summit League. His experience also includes communications positions at four Division I universities and leadership roles in government and the private sector. "We had many qualified individuals interested in leading the Prospect League," said Bill Davidson, Prospect League President and Director of the Lafayette Aviators. "David stood out due to his extensive college experience, administrative skills and growth strategies he's executed with college athletes."

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

Major League Rugby (MLR) and FOX Sports announced their national television schedule for the sixth season of competition. The premier North American rugby league will nationally broadcast select matches beginning the weekend of February 18 on FS1 and FS2. "Having FOX Sports as the national television broadcaster for Major League Rugby this season is an exciting opportunity, allowing us to meet the demand of growing interest in rugby and introduce the sport to entirely new fans," said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew. "We are excited about the extensive reach and coverage MLR will have through FOX Sports, making for an unforgettable sixth 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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National Women's Soccer League Stories from January 10, 2023


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