Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
July 4, 2023 - United States Football League (USFL)

This past week the Birmingham Stallions won the United States Football League Championship for the second season in a row, the NBA G League team in Portland announced it will be known as the Rip City Remix, and the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats saw center Connor Bedard picked first in the National Hockey League Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Highlights from this week come from the United States Football League, Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League, NBA G League, Women's National Basketball Association, BIG3, Western Hockey League, 3ICE, Premier Hockey Federation, Ontario Hockey League, United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, International League, South Atlantic League, Southern League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, Major League Rugby and American Ultimate Disc League.

FOOTBALL

United States Football League

Alex McGough throws for four touchdowns, three of which go to Deon Cain, as the Birmingham Stallions win their second straight USFL Championship.

USFL Championship Trophy Ceremony:

Top plays from Stallions vs. Maulers USFL Championship Game

Birmingham's record-breaking QB Alex McGough has been named the USFL's MVP, while Michigan's Ethan Westbrooks is Sportsman of the Year. Alex McGough stepped in at quarterback for the Birmingham Stallions when starter J'Mar Smith was injured in Week 1. He led the Stallions to an 8-2 regular season and a South Division Championship. Westbrooks, a 32-year-old with NFL experience, focused on youth outreach in the Greater Detroit area during the season, spending time with Detroit PAL, a non-profit partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers that help youth find their greatness through sports and enrichment programs.

The USFL announced that Houston Gamblers running back Mark Thompson is the 2023 USFL Offensive Player of the Year, and Michigan Panthers Linebacker Frank Ginda is the 2023 USFL Defensive Player of the Year. Former Florida Gator Thompson is a bruising but elusive playmaker who set a modern USFL record with 14 rushing touchdowns. Ginda was a model of toughness and consistency during his second season with Michigan, leading the USFL with 104 defensive tackles, which included seven or more tackles in nine of 10 games.

Canadian Football League

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced the club has signed quarterback Dakota Prukop to a one-year contract. Prukop (6-1, 212; Oregon; born: October 17, 1993, in Newport, CA.) returns to the Bombers after dressing for four games this season with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL). In those four games, Prukop completed 31 of 50 pass attempts for 312 yards and three touchdowns while adding 97 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown. Prukop held the highest passer rating on the team with 91.4. The 2017 Grey Cup Champion (Toronto) has appeared in 61 CFL games in his career with the Toronto Argonauts (2017-2019), Edmonton Elks (2021) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2022).

Henoc Muamba and Donnovan Bennett draft their all-Canadian CFL dream teams and then debate whose team of top Canadian players would reign supreme!

Indoor Football League

During Sunday's game between the IFL Rivals Massachusetts Pirates and the Arizona Rattlers, multiple players from the Pirates entered the stands to fight Rattlers Fans.

Plays of Week 15

BASKETBALL

NBA G League

The Portland G League team, the official NBA G League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers, announced he franchise's team name, logo, and branding at a community event at the University of Portland. Rip City Remix is a team name and brand that reflects the city of Portland, community, and culture and draws on the inspiration of remixing what is already amazing to enhance, innovate and transform into something extraordinary. "This is an exciting day for Rip City and the next chapter in Trail Blazers basketball," said Portland Trail Blazers President of Business Operations Dewayne Hankins. "We are thrilled to launch this team in the North Portland community, with a name and brand inspired by our fans, culture and region. Rip City Remix games will be fun, family friendly, and accessible, and we look forward to seeing you on the court this upcoming season."

Meet the Rip City Remix, the Portland Trail Blazers' G League affiliate

The Austin Spurs announced that the team has named Will Voigt as head coach, making him the ninth head coach in franchise history. Voigt (VOYT) most recently served one season as head coach for Zamalek of the Egyptian Basketball Super League where the team finished third in the 2022 Basketball Africa League Playoffs. Prior to Zamalek, Voigt was hired as head coach for the Angola National Team in 2017 and helped qualify Angola for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

The Osceola Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, have named Dylan Murphy head coach, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced. Murphy will also serve as head coach of the Orlando Magic's NBA 2K24 Summer League team in Las Vegas. Murphy has spent the last five seasons with the Orlando Magic, including three seasons as an assistant coach (2020-23). From 2018-20, he served as basketball operations analyst, providing analytics support to the coaching staff.

Overtime Elite forwards Tyler Smith and Izan Almansa have signed with NBA G League Ignite, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced. As the basketball landscape evolves, the G League continues to solidify its place as a central development pathway for top talent throughout the world," Abdur-Rahim said. "We are thrilled to welcome Tyler and Izan to the NBA G League family, where they'll have the opportunity to learn from our NBA-caliber coaches and veterans and battle against top talent in our league. We're excited to continue to build on the foundation started at OTE to help Tyler and Izan prepare for successful NBA careers."

Women's National Basketball Association

Las Vegas Aces General Manager Natalie Williams announced that the team has signed two-time league M'VP A'ja Wilson to a two-year extension. "A'ja Wilson is a generational talent and a huge foundational piece to our team and organization," said Williams. "We are thrilled to have her re-sign and be here in Las Vegas for the next two years." "We're excited to have A'ja in an Aces uniform for the next two years," said Head Coach Becky Hammon. "Her body of work speaks for itself-her impact on the game, on the community of Las Vegas and with her teammates. Everybody who is around her knows how special she is, and it is great to have her remain in the fold."

Alyssa Thomas dropped 14.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, & 8.7 APG this week to lead the ConnecticutSun to a 3-0 week record, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week

A'ja Wilson went off for 24.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, & 2.0 BPG this week to lead the Las Vegas Aces to a 2-0 week record, earning Western Conference Player of the Week

BIG3

BIG3 Week 2 Dallas 2023 - Rundown

HOCKEY

Western Hockey League

Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard was the first-overall selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft. Bedard, the reigning WHL and Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year, becomes the third Regina Pats player to be selected with the first pick in an NHL Draft, joining Greg Joly (1974 - Washington Capitals) and Doug Wickenheiser (1980 - Montreal Canadiens). The 17-year-old led the WHL in scoring with 143 points (71G-72A) during the 2022-23 Regular Season; he became the first WHL skater in 27 years to top 140 points in a single regular season, adding 20 more points (10G-10A) in seven post-season contests with the Pats.

No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard, joins SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt to react to getting picked by the Chicago Blackhawks and what he's looking forward to about his first season in the league.

The Western Hockey League announced its schedule of games for the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season. All 22 WHL Clubs will once again compete in a full 68-game regular season, beginning Friday, September 22, 2023 and concluding Sunday, March 24, 2024. The 2023-24 WHL Regular Season will open Friday, September 22 with nine games on the schedule. Featured in the spotlight will be the Regular Season debut of the Wenatchee Wild, who open the season on home ice versus the Portland Winterhawks. The defending WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds will open their season on the road, visiting the Wenatchee Wild at Town Toyota Center Saturday, September 23.

3ICE

2023 Week 1 Goals of the Night

ECHL

The ECHL announced that Norfolk Admirals' President Billy Johnson is the 2022-23 recipient of the ECHL Executive of the Year Award. During the 2022-23 season, he was instrumental in the Admirals hosting the 2023 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic, which highlighted Norfolk to a national audience. The Admirals saw paid attendance during the season increase by 40% over the 2021-22 season. Additionally, the team had six of the top 10 places in all-time weekend (Friday and Saturday) gross ticket revenues since the team was formed 1989, including its 15 seasons in the American Hockey League.

Premier Hockey Federation

A new professional hockey league, featuring the world's best women's players, will launch in January 2024. The new league was announced today by business and philanthropic leaders Mark and Kimbra Walter, sports icon Billie Jean King, and Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) Governors Johanna and John Boynton. The league will be supported financially by the Walters and led by board members including King, sports executive Ilana Kloss, and Los Angeles Dodgers President Stan Kasten. The new league has acquired assets of the PHF and has spent months negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). These actions will enable the new league to move forward in unprecedented ways. The new league will undertake a thorough and equitable process to ensure that it features the best women's hockey players in the world.

Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is proud to recognize five OHL players who were chosen in Wednesday's first round of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, home of the NHL's Predators. OHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack was the first OHL player to come off the board, being chosen 18th overall by the Winnipeg Jets.

Owen Sound Attack captain Colby Barlow met with the media after being selected 18th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Ontario Hockey League announced the regular season schedule of games for 2023-24. The 2023-24 OHL season gets underway on Thursday, September 28th as the reigning champion Peterborough Petes raise their J. Ross Robertson Cup championship banner prior to puck drop against the Kingston Frontenacs. The Barrie Colts will also be at home on opening night, playing host to the Central Division rival North Bay Battalion.

United States Hockey League

The United States Hockey League (USHL) had six players selected in the first round of the 2023 National Hockey League Draft Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Former Chicago Steel forward Adam Fantilli, who won the Hobey Baker Award this year in his freshman season at Michigan, was selected by Columbus third overall. Fantilli spent two seasons with the Steel, totaling 55 goals and 55 assists for 110 points in 103 games.

University of Michigan product and reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli is selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the third pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Former Dubuque Fighting Saints General Manager and Head Coach Jim Montgomery has been named the recipient of the Jack Adams Award as the 2022-23 National Hockey League Coach of the Year. In his first season with the Bruins this year, Montgomery led Boston to the league's winningest record with a 65-12-5 mark in establishing an NHL record for single-season points (135) and wins. Montgomery is the first former USHL coach to win the NHL Jack Adams Award.

North American Hockey League

Chippewa Steel goaltender Adam Gajan speaks with the media after being drafted in the 2nd round by the Chicago Blackhawks

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced the release of the 2023-24 regular season schedule. Each of the 32 teams in the league's four divisions (Central, East, Midwest and South) will play 60 regular season games. The regular season will commence on September 8, 2023, and end on April 13, 2024.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Sherbrooke Phoenix Ethan Gauthier's reaction after being drafted in the second round 37th overall by Tampa Bay Lightning.

BASEBALL

American Association

The Gary SouthShore RailCats (19-26) got their bats going in the middle innings, and a dominant effort out of the bullpen took them the rest of the way as they defeated the Kane County Cougars (21-23) 7-3. After falling behind 3-1 after five innings, the 'Cats rattled off six unanswered runs, and four pitches combined to lock up the Kane County offense down the stretch to ensure a victory in the 2,000th game in the franchise's storied history.

International League

Nashville Sounds prospect Sal Frelick ranges back to the wall and makes a leaping catch to take away a homer and double the runner off first for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds

Atlanta Braves prospect Braden Shewmake hit for the first cycle in the history of the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers

South Atlantic League

New York Mets prospect Kevin Parada has a two-homer game, including an inside-the-parker, for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones

Southern League

The Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos turn a double play after a pitch deflects off the knob of the batter's bat and into fair territory

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

Dynamic midfielders Thiago Almada and Hany Mukhtar, sensational scorers Jesús Ferreira, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Dénis Bouanga, and emerging Homegrown stars John Tolkin and Aidan Morris were among the 26 players honored today as Major League Soccer unveiled the complete roster for the 2023 MLS All-Star Game. The 2023 MLS All-Star Game will be played on Wednesday, July 19, and feature the MLS All-Stars taking on Arsenal FC, the renowned 13-time English league champions, at Audi Field, home of D.C. United.

Wayne Rooney: How to Assemble an All-Star Squad

Major League Soccer awarded the 2024 MLS All-Star Game to the Columbus Crew. The 2024 MLS All-Star Game will be played on July 17, 2024, at Lower.com Field, and will be available to watch in over 100 countries and regions around the world on MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app.

National Women's Soccer League

The National Women's Soccer League announced the asset selection order for incoming expansion clubs Bay FC and Utah Royals FC ahead of the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by Ally and the 2024 NWSL Draft presented by Ally. Securing the first choice in the asset selection process, the Utah Royals selected priority in the NWSL Draft. As a result, the team will have pick No. 1 in both the first and third rounds of the draft, while Bay FC will select first in rounds two and four. Bay FC will have the first pick in the NWSL Expansion Draft, which will alternate between the two clubs through 12 rounds.

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE TYLER LUSSI LASER!!

United Soccer League Championship

Tab Ramos was relived of head coaching duties with Hartford Athletic. "We would like to thank Tab for his hard work and dedication in his time leading this club," said Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell. "After careful thought and evaluation, I concluded that the direction of our team would benefit from a different voice. I wish Tab much success in his future opportunities." Hartford Athletic has played to a record of 2-10-4 just before the midpoint of the 2023 season. Ramos, who was hired in late August of 2022, coached the final six games of the season.

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 16 of the 2023 regular season with Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Cal Jennings voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording two goals and one assist to lead the Rowdies to a comeback victory against Loudoun United FC.

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

The New England Free Jacks win first-ever MLR Eastern Conference Final over Old Glory DC to secure a spot in the Championship Final on July 8.

A dominate defensive and attacking performance gets the San Diego Legion a 32-10 victory over their rivals, the Seattle Seawolves, at the Western Conference Final.

American Ultimate Disc League

The TOP 10 plays from Week 9 of the 2023 AUDL season!

Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.

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United States Football League Stories from July 4, 2023

• Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury

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