Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
September 19, 2023 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)

This past week the Professional Women's Hockey League revealed the six head coaches for its inaugural season, Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White was named Women's National Basketball Association Head Coach of the Year, and the Vancouver Canadians won their fifth Northwest League Championship. Highlights from this week come from the Professional Women's Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Women's National Basketball Association, BIG3, Northwest League, Pacific Coast League, Eastern League, California League, Premier Lacrosse League, Canadian Football League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, and American Ultimate Disc League.

HOCKEY

Professional Women's Hockey League

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced the Head Coaches who will lead the league's six teams on the ice heading into its inaugural season. Behind the bench will be Courtney Kessel (Boston), Charlie Burggraf (Minnesota), Kori Cheverie (Montreal), Howie Draper (New York), Carla MacLeod (Ottawa), and Troy Ryan (Toronto). Coaches have all been appointed to their roles by team General Managers. "As a league, we are fortunate to embark on our inaugural season with a distinguished group of head coaches who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to player development at all levels of women's hockey," said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. "I want to credit our General Managers for their efforts in identifying highly qualified candidates that are well respected and motivated to help our athletes reach their full potential in the PWHL."

Canadian Olympic gold medalist Sarah Nurse was one of the first players to join the newly-formed Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), signing with the Toronto team. She joined NHL Tonight to discuss her decision.

North American Hockey League

NAHL Top Plays - September 4-10, 2023

Western Hockey League

The Brandon Wheat Kings have renewed their partnership with the Keystone Centre, and as part of that renewed agreement, improvements to the fan experience are on the way. The Wheat Kings and Keystone Centre are extremely pleased to announce a ten-year lease to keep the Black and Gold playing in their historic home. "We are thrilled to have been able to reach a new agreement with the Keystone Centre for the next ten years,' said Wheat Kings owner and governor Jared Jacobson. "With this new deal, we provide stability for our franchise and while at the same time enhancing the experience of our fans and supporters. We look forward to partnering with the Keystone Centre to make those plans a reality."

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White has been named the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year. White becomes the fourth former WNBA player to win the award, joining Becky Hammon (2022), Sandy Brondello (2014) and Suzie McConnell-Serio (2004). This marks the fifth Coach of the Year honor in Sun history, and White is the third different Connecticut coach to earn the award (Mike Thibault, 2006 and 2008; Curt Miller, 2017 and 2021). In her third season as a WNBA head coach and her first with the Sun, White guided Connecticut to a 27-13 record and set the franchise record for victories in a season.

The Associated Press announced that New York Liberty forward, Breanna Stewart, has been named the 2023 AP Player of the Year. Additionally, Stewart was selected to the All-AP First Team for the sixth time in her career. In her first season in New York, where she led the Liberty to a franchise-best 32-8 (.800) finish, Stewart posted career-bests of 23.0 points per game and 3.8 assists per game, along with 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game on 46.5% from the field, 35.5% from three, and 85.1% from the line.

A'ja Wilson joins Holly Rowe after her franchise playoff scoring record 38-point performance in the Las Vegas Aces' 92-70 win over the Chicago Sky. This game completes the Aces' Round 1 sweep of the Sky and sends the Aces to the second round of the WNBA Playoffs.

BIG3

NBA legend and 2023 BIG3 Coach of the Year George "The Iceman" Gervin has always been cool. His signature shot, the finger roll, is now a part of every player alive's arsenal. (It's not easy to get an underhanded shot to catch on, even if it's effective "" just ask Hall-of-Famer and Ball Hogs Coach Rick Barry.) This summer, Coach Iceman made going big cool again. Under Gervin, the Ghost Ballers were fearsome everywhere on the court, equally able to beat teams up inside or pick them apart from the perimeter. That's why they were able to make it to the Semifinals, and that's why George Gervin is the 2023 BIG3 Coach of the Year.

2023 Top 10 Plays Of The Year

BASEBALL

Northwest League

For the fifth time in franchise history and the first time in High-A, the Vancouver Canadians are champions of the Northwest League. The C's put the finishing touches on a remarkable 2023 season with a one-sided 10-2 win over the Everett AquaSox [Mariners] Saturday night at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium to vanquish the Frogs three games to one. With the win, the Canadians are Northwest League Champions for the first time since 2017 and the fifth time since becoming a Blue Jays affiliate in 2011. It's the city's first full season baseball crown since the Pacific Coast League Canadians won it all in 1999.

A Vancouver Canadians game is one of the most popular summer pastimes in the city. But how much do you really know about the team? Maurice Katz got a behind-the-scenes look into the challenges and triumphs of Minor League Baseball in Vancouver.

Pacific Coast League

An amazing moment as a cancer survivor is honored and runs the bases, receiving a huge applause from teams and crowd in El Paso

Eastern League

There's something in the air when these teams meet. For the second time this season, the Bowie Baysox and Harrisburg Senators waited out a skunk delay.

California League

Seattle Mariners prospect Colt Emerson delivers the game-winning knock for the Single-A Modesto Nuts in Game 1 of the California League playoffs

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

Top lacrosse prospects from across North America took the next step in their careers today as the National Lacrosse League, the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, conducted its annual Entry Draft at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC). Hearing their names called first were Dyson Williams (Oshawa, Ontario) by the Albany FireWolves, Adam Poitras (Whitby, Ontario) by the Las Vegas Desert Dogs and Callum Jones (Burlington, Ontario) by the New York Riptide. "We recognize the importance of this day to the players selected in the NLL Entry Draft," said NLL Commissioner Brett Frood. "For our franchises, it is a chance to build and reinforce their rosters, and for fans it's a peek at the next generation of NLL stars."

Premier Lacrosse League

TOP TEN PLAYS FROM LONG ISLAND SEMIFINALS

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

CFL Plays of the Week - Week 15, 2023

Henoc Muamba and Donnovan Bennett look ahead at the rest of the 2023 CFL Season for the Edmonton Elks, who after starting the year on a 9-game losing streak have now won 3 of their last 4 games. The guys discuss what Edmonton has to do to possibly make a run for the final spot in the West Division or possibly crossover to the East Division and qualify for the CFL Playoffs this season.

National Arena League

The National Arena League officially reveals Topeka, Kansas, as the next franchise to join the National Arena League for its pivotal 2024 season filled with accelerated growth, exciting new teams, and fresh talent as the NAL continues to grow across the nation. Topeka becomes the fourth recent city to join the National Arena League and the first Kansas based team to join the NAL in league history. In 2024, the Tropics will host their home games at the Stormont Vail Events Center. The Topeka Tropics made this announcement on social media.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

Atlanta United FPV Drone Tour - Site of 2026 World Cup & Super Bowl LIII

National Women's Soccer League

Japanese National Team and Portland Thorns midfielder Hina Sugita shares how she communicates through her play on the field and how some of the strongest bonds can be unspoken. This is her Game Changers story.

United Soccer League Championship

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 27 of the 2023 regular season with Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Cal Jennings voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after scoring three goals across two games, including a brace in his side's weekend victory against Louisville City FC at Al Lang Stadium.

United Soccer League One

A Dolabella double in Week 26 - Pedro Dolabella - USL League One Player of the Week

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

The Florida Blue Training Center, home of Major League Soccer Club Inter Miami CF, announced a landmark deal with the Miami Sharks Rugby Club. The relationship announces that the Miami Sharks Rugby Club, the newest Major League Rugby franchise, becomes the first official partner outside of the Inter Miami CF traditional fútbol family to use the state-of-the-art training center daily. The Miami Sharks will join the Inter Miami CF First Team, Second Team and Academy teams at the facilities commencing in the first quarter of 2024, also marking the inaugural season for the Miami Sharks. The AutoNation Sports Field located at the Florida Blue Training Center in the City of Fort Lauderdale will serve as the matchday venue for the Professional Rugby Club and also provide access to the top-tier training resources of Inter Miami.

Old Glory DC is excited to announce that all 2024 home regular season and playoff matches will be played at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, MD. Entering its sixth season and following an exceptional Championship Series playoff berth and a first-ever Eastern Conference Championship appearance, Old Glory aims to continue its success with rugby fans, supporters, and sponsors throughout the DMV region. Old Glory DC matches will be played at Maureen Hendrick's Field at Championship Stadium; sporting a natural, high-use Bermuda grass pitch. The bowl-like stadium design features fixed seating for 3,200 fans and a large, grassy berm for general admission seating. The move to the Maryland SoccerPlex provides easy access for Old Glory fans throughout The District, Maryland, and NOVA.

American Ultimate Disc League

Bryan Vohnoutka's High-Flying Highlights of the 2023 AUDL Season. Bryan "BVon" Vohnoutka helped lead the Minnesota Wind Chill to their first semifinals appearance with his big play ability!

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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Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury

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