SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 6/7/2020 Vegas Golden Knights 1185937 NHL calendar may be tilted for good 1185960 NHL’s Eastern Conference play-in series preview 1185938 Bruins' Zdeno Chara writes heartfelt statement after 1185961 NHL’s Western Conference play-in series preview Boston 'Black Lives Matter' protest Washington Capitals 1185962 Sports will play a role in fight for racial equality, and be 1185939 Polling Place: Which Chicago broadcasters are best? held accountable when falling short of expectatio Blackhawks’, Bears’ duos get nods 1185940 First playoff berth gives Connor Murphy chance to prove Websites he’s Blackhawks’ new 1185963 Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: NHL community taking critical 1185941 Toews: 'My message is to white people to open our eyes steps in fighting racism and our hearts' 1185964 Sportsnet.ca / Sarah Nurse urges fellow Canadians not to 'suppress our Black history' Avalanche 1185942 Q&A with former Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda World Leagues News 1185943 Chambers: NHL’s summer-long Stanley Cup playoffs this 1185965 Coronavirus wrap: Premier League testing boost as year could become permanent Djokovic shares US Open doubts 1185966 Coronavirus: Virtual events getting popular 1185967 More than 150 teams flock to baseball tournament in 1185944 Blue Jackets hope they get in game shape quickly Shawnee, coronavirus concerns remain 1185968 'Covid subs' may get nod in Test cricket 1185969 'I want to play baseball:' Summer travel sports begin 1185945 Mitch Albom: Sports teams have big plans to play — during COVID-19 pandemic except in Detroit 1185970 Pro bowling returns from coronavirus shutdown with 'PBA 1185946 Detroit Red Wings 2015 draft review: Squandered picks Strike Derby' and what they could have had 1185971 What Cooperstown's National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is doing amid the coronavirus shutdown 1185972 Why Many Athletes Will Be Left Out When Olympic 1185947 Lowetide: Charting Theodor Lennstrom’s future with the Training Centers Reopen Oilers 1185973 As N.B.A. Mulled Return, Financial Needs Emerged as Central 1185974 Big Ten task force focused on mitigating athletes' 1185948 When will pro sports return? Soon. Here's what we know COVID-19 risk SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 Montreal Canadiens 1185949 Racial inequality discussion hits home for Canadiens prospect Jayden Struble New Jersey Devils 1185950 NHL stars bash ESPN’s Max Kellerman for hockey-hating rant New York Islanders 1185951 The best New York athletes to wear every number 1185952 Bryan Trottier's magical playoff run was crucial in Islanders' first Stanley Cup victory New York Rangers 1185953 The best New York athletes to wear every number 1185954 K’Andre Miller’s pain is call to action for all of hockey 1185955 Seth Jones, Jarome Iginla understand how Rangers prospect K'Andre Miller feels about racial identity Ottawa Senators 1185956 Hopefully our pal Walter Miller is teeing it up at a golf course in the sky Pittsburgh Penguins 1185957 Penguins A to Z: Bryan Rust becomes point-per-game player 1185958 Ron Cook: This big question remains regarding sports and COVID-19 Toronto Maple Leafs 1185959 Players speaking out on social justice ‘a huge moment for us’, NHL executive says 1185937 Boston Bruins Again, a reminder: Everything here assumes there are no health hitches. This is one gargantuan undertaking.

At minimum, each of those 24 teams will arrive to play in August with NHL calendar may be tilted for good some 35 personnel (players, coaches, trainers, equipment guys, management, etc). The numbers winnow down by a one-third very quickly at the conclusions of the play-in tournament. But still, the league Kevin Paul is attempting to gather some 840 workers, divide them in two hub sites, and then trim back the numbers over two-plus months with everyone still June 6, 2020, 12:07 p.m. standing happy and healthy when the Cup winner is crowned.

You betcha. What are the odds nothing backfires? Hockey is expected to take its first baby steps back this coming week Think back to days of yore with maybe a throng of 60 skaters on an with most of the 24 NHL clubs, the Bruins likely among them, beginning outdoor patch of ice for a robust afternoon of town hockey. Could the their informal small-group sessions at rinks throughout the United States best puck wizard out there lug the puck end to end through 60 skaters, and Canada. keep possession, and tuck home the ? Maybe, if the kid lugging the Provided the Bruins get the good-to-go from Beacon Hill, they’ll unlock puck was Bobby Orr. Otherwise, count on some disruption in the neutral the doors to their Brighton practice facility and players in groups of up to zone. six can start to shake out the kinks that have developed over the last If the players indeed escape healthy, all of the above leads to an three months of dormancy. offseason encompassing most of October, November, and December. For those still keeping score, Sunday marked day No. 88 of life without The draft, normally held in late June, would be the first order of the NHL. Three months. It only feels like the game lapsed back in the business., followed soon (Nov. 1?) by free agency. Training camps, middle of the Bronze Era. normally starting in early September, also would move ahead by at least Where this goes from here, and how quickly it progresses, still remains in 90 days to mid-December. the invisible, deadly vise grip of the coronavirus pandemic. The new season of 2020-21 most likely lifts off with the Winter Classic on In a perfect world (trigger the laugh track), all 24 clubs will begin formal New Year’s Day. The site: Target Field, Minneapolis, the city turned training camps in the 5-7 days following July 4, ultimately leading to the epicenter of racial unrest two weeks ago. return of real-life games, in real empty buildings, on or about Aug. 1. Meanwhile, the league’s vision remains fixed on all clubs playing 82 Such was the aspirational return-to-play plan outlined by the NHL, in games in 2020-21. If so, a Jan. 1 start would set next year’s playoff cycle concert with the Players’ Association, back on May 26. In the near two in motion at the start of July with a September finish. So for the moment, weeks since, substantive updates have been fewer than Bruce the idea that we’ll ever see regular-season games again in October and Shoebottom hat tricks, which speaks, in part, to the complexity of making November appears to be vanishing. Unless the virus has other things in such an ambitious, unprecedented scheme go from drawing board to ice mind. sheet. CHOSEN LEADERS “First and foremost, players have to feel safe about going back,” noted DeBoer suddenly looks Golden agent Matt Keator, longtime representative of Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. “I think they realize nothing is 100 percent risk free. So if they feel Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer has turned things around in Vegas safe, based on the protocols put in place, and how it’s all executed ... it after becoming head coach in January. all moves forward, cautiously.” Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer has turned things around in Vegas That said, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and union boss Donald Fehr after becoming head coach in January.Maddie Meyer/Getty this past week were still in the back and forth of hammering out details, financial and otherwise, of reawakening the business. Money, as always, Alain Vigneault (Flyers), Rick Bowness (Stars), and Peter DeBoer remained a huge talking point. It could become the sticking point that (Golden Knights), three of the eight coaches with byes when the keeps the game sidelined. postseason begins, were all first-year coaches behind their respective benches in 2019-20. Related: NHL playoff season comes with plenty of on-ice questions Vigneault was hired after last season as part of Chuck Fletcher’s Players did not receive their final checks of the regular season, which remodeling of the Broad Streeters. was formally canceled May 26. That frozen money now must be factored into the forever-contentious issue of salary escrow, and how that affects Bowness, who had a one-year tenure as Boston bench boss (1991-92), settling the books in 2019-20 and how escrow will be framed for seasons came aboard in Dallas when Jim Montgomery was abruptly dismissed in to come. We’ve seen too often how fast, how far parsing the dollars can December. go into the hand basket between these sides. DeBoer, canned earlier in the season by San Jose, took over the Knights Provided the dollars get divvied up to everyone’s satisfaction, and games upon the astonishing removal of Gerard Gallant in January, only 18 do resume around Aug. 1, then Round 1 of elimination play — with four months after the latter led the first-year franchise to the Cup Final. Not best-of-five-game series in the East and West — would lead to a much equity in a Cup run, is there? traditional Round-of-16 tournament starting around the third week of The sample size was less than two months, but DeBoer’s impact in the August. desert was powerful. The Knights were poking along at 24-19-6 (.551) The Bruins, remember, will be one of eight teams (four per conference) when GM Kelly McCrimmon ditched Gallant, and DeBoer rallied them to dealt a bye for that preliminary play-in round. Instead, they’d face off in a 15-5-2 (.727) prior to the lockdown, slotting Vegas into the No. 3 spot in non-elimination round-robin tourney, playing one game apiece against the conference behind the Blues and Avalanche. Tampa Bay, Washington, and Philadelphia. It’s possible they’ll hold serve As the NHL’s Midsummer Madness approaches, no telling who’ll best as the No. 1 seed in the conference, but they also could slip to No. 4. shake the March-April-May hibernation. But the initial traction under The same for the Blues out West. DeBoer could indicate the Knights have a shot at reaching their second One former team executive’s view of the contrived round-robin format Final in their first three years of existence. among the top four clubs: “Criminal.” We’ve eliminated his appropriate DeBoer placed a renewed emphasis on team-wide attention to defense. adjective in deference to a PG audience. He also tweaked his top trios, moving William Karlsson between primo If all of that first stage can be accomplished, the traditional Round-of-16 wingers Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty to shape a formidable No. 1 unit. tournament — all series best-of-seven — is targeted to wrap up in early McCrimmon then came up big at the trade deadline, flipping backup October. That part of the calendar, of course, is traditionally reserved for goaltender Malcolm Subban to the Blackhawks for Robin Lehner, along the start of the next regular season. Instead, it’s now penciled in for the with adding defenseman Alec Martinez from the Kings and center Nick annual Booing of Bettman as the commish hands over the Stanley Cup. Cousins from the Canadiens. “They addressed their three areas of need,” noted Dave Goucher, the Bruce Boudreau 303 158 110 35 57.9 superb ex-Bruins radio voice who left here three summers ago to launch 52.1 his TV career in Vegas. “They solidified the goaltending. They needed a top-four defenseman and then someone to solidify their top nine Bill Peters 274 134 103 37 55.7 forwards.” 48.9

DeBoer quickly placed the 6-foot-4-inch Lehner in a straight rotation with Claude Julien 314 146 131 37 52.4 franchise goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, and the Swedish-born stopper went 46.5 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .940 save percentage. It’s rare these days, Todd McLellan 254 121 111 22 52 but DeBoer could keep the rotation right through the playoffs, something 47.6 he couldn’t consider with Subban (tottering along at 9-7-3, 3.18, .890 prior to his exit). Jared Bednar 316 145 136 35 51.4 45.9 Meanwhile, Gallant remains perhaps the most qualified coach still looking for his next gig (honorable mention in this category to Peter Laviolette). John Hynes 300 128 134 38 49 Three potential landing spots for both: Detroit (where Gallant was once a 42.7 teammate of GM Steve Yzerman), New Jersey, and the expansion Jeff Blashill 317 112 164 41 41.8 franchise Seattle Original 32’s. 35.3 FIRST AMONG EQUALS SOURCE: Elias Sports Bureau Cassidy wins the top spot ETC. The Bruins a year ago were in St. Louis to play Game 6 of the Cup Final TV may get up close and personal (Sunday, June 9) and less than two weeks later Don Sweeney was named GM of the Year at the annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas. Cameraman Zac Laszuk worked the 2020 NHL All-Star Skills competition at the Enterprise Center on January 24. Las Vegas, which just began to reopen The Strip on Friday, will not host this year’s awards ceremony. No telling just yet how the league will The absence of fans filling the stands possibly will prompt the NHL and handle the gala. its TV partners to build some bold new looks into broadcasts. Truth is, other than the sensational enhancement of HDTV in the new millennium, If the Cup indeed gets handed out in October, an awards show of some the look of hockey broadcasts has remained static for decades. scope could be a valuable marketing tool in the dog days of November and December. If the league’s grand attempt at a restart falls flat, the Here in the Hub of Hockey, the on-air talent and graphics have changed, show could end up just another 2019-20 casualty, award winners to be but the look and structure of the broadcast is not unlike what we watched filed into the dusty annals of digital history in a paperless world. 25-plus years ago when the inimitable Fred Cusick and Derek Sanderson were the voices in the booth. Bruce Cassidy should be a slam dunk for the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year. His Bruins went a league-best 44-14-12 this season. Ken London was the producer/director of those TV38 broadcasts for 10 Of all the moves Sweeney has made since taking the job in 2015, putting years, starting in the mid-1980s. Given that the stands will be empty, he Cassidy in charge remains his best. wonders if the glass can be removed, allowing for eye-level placement of cameras in the first few rows of loge seats. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Cassidy owns the best points percentage over the last four seasons, when compared with those who “Much like the camera NBC uses for track and field at the Summer coached at least 250 games across that same period. Olympics,” noted London, who these days works for Last Minute Productions in Needham. “The camera is on a track, and it runs right Cassidy, promoted to replace Claude Julien in February 2017, has along with the athletes.” worked 261 games and banked 68.2 percent of the available points. Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper ranked second (67.6), followed by the So, if Charlie McAvoy sees the chance for a bold rush up ice, the camera Islanders’ Barry Trotz, ex- of the Capitals (64.6). can pick him up behind his net and then ride along all the way up the ice as he stickhandles and attempts to avoid checks. Dealing solely in percentage of wins, Cooper (63.6) held a slight edge over Cassidy (61.7), followed again by Trotz (59.6). “I think you could have something that’s a unique perspective there,” said London. “It would truly be a fan’s-eye view, a few feet lower than the top On point Bruce Cassidy leads in point percentage among the 16 NHL of the glass, where some cameras are positioned now — similar cameras coaches who logged a minimum of 250 games over the last four sometimes, a cable tracking players on the ice, but they’re higher. seasons. G W L OTL Pt Pct. Win Provided they don’t think the glass is needed for safety or tactical Pct. purposes, those shots could be dynamic.” Bruce Cassidy 261 161 66 34 68.2 The absence of cheering, clapping, and yelling from the stands — the 61.7 ambient sounds that fill all TV sports — could prompt the league and Jon Cooper 316 201 90 25 67.6 broadcast partners to fill buildings will noise. Your faithful puck chronicler, 63.6 long on his disdain for the overpowering audioporn that fills many NHL arenas, can’t wait to experience the creative ways they pump up the Barry Trotz 314 187 95 32 64.6 volume. Should be a blast. At least at home, the viewer can turn down 59.6 the sound, seek shelter from the storm.

Mike Sullivan 315 181 99 35 63 Ideally, with buildings empty, broadcast partners instead will open their 57.5 microphones to the unique sounds of the game — such as pucks striking Peter Laviolette 287 160 91 36 62 stickblades on tape-to-tape passes, big hits along the boards, 55.7 skateblades scraping the ice, referees barking orders (“Move the puck!”), hollering among players and coaches (ready that mute button!), the John Tortorella 316 175 107 34 60.8 grunts and groans of goalmouth scrums. 55.4 The empty stands, reminded London, will eliminate one industry Peter DeBoer 301 167 104 30 60.5 bugaboo: camera shots obstructed by exuberant fans at key moments. 55.5 “You’ll never get that annoying guy who jumps up just as a goal is being Paul Maurice 317 176 113 28 59.9 scored,” he said. “Or that shot that gets ruined in the last 15 seconds 55.5 when everyone stands up and blocks the camera. We don’t see that as much as we used to, but it still happens. And trust me, for the people in Mike Babcock 269 144 91 34 59.9 the [broadcast] truck, that’s a killer.” 53.5 Sound of wedding bells ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, ex- of Mother Globe, posted a delightful feature about the parking lot at the Honda Center, home of the , being repurposed in recent weeks as a drive-thru wedding chapel.

No fewer than 2,600 couples, deterred from getting to their respective churches on time by the pandemic, exchanged vows in a corner of the tarmac lot that typically accommodates some 4,000 parking spots (roughly the size of the entire West End and a slice of the North End).

The good folks at the arena scrounged up three ticket booths from local fairgrounds to construct the chapel. Eager couples booked their service times, arrived in their vehicles, and waited in line as if to enter a car wash. Hold the wax and kiss the bride!

Provided no glitches (like, say, an overheated Studebaker conking out in line), the starry-eyed couples were in and out of there in about the time it takes to serve a major .

Logged on the officiate’s game sheet: five minutes for matrimony.

Boston Globe LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185938 Boston Bruins

Bruins' Zdeno Chara writes heartfelt statement after Boston 'Black Lives Matter' protest

Justin Leger

June 06, 2020 1:27 PM

Zdeno Chara is doing his part to use his platform and speak out against the racial injustices in the United States.

On Friday, the Boston Bruins captain attended a "Black Lives Matter' protest in Boston. Chara clearly was moved by the protest, as he followed with a long statement Saturday on Instagram condemning racism and the murder of George Floyd.

"First thing is first and let me be clear: I stand with the Black community. Black Lives Matter," Chara wrote. "There is no room in this world for racism. Period."

Read the full statement in the post below:

View this post on Instagram

For the last 13 days I have been sick about George Floyd’s murder. I have taken time to think and listen. Time to find bravery and time to try to find the right words, though I’ll admit I’m still struggling. First thing is first and let me be clear: I stand with the Black community. Black Lives Matter. There is no room in this world for racism. Period. Sure, I’ve dealt with my own share of adversity as an outsider living in this country but I recognize my challenges were not made harder, or impossible, because of the color of my skin. I will never know what it’s like to walk down a street and feel unsafe. No one should have to experience that feeling. We have to take better care of each other and respect each other. Equality must be a priority. Anything less is unacceptable. I learned a lot yesterday and had good, honest conversations. Not only did we take steps in a walk but we made strides in learning and educating together. But it doesn’t stop there. I will continue to stand - and walk - with you. I have your back. Zdeno Chara

A post shared by Zdeno Chara (@zeechara33) on Jun 6, 2020 at 7:01am PDT

Chara joins Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Enes Kanter, and Vincent Poirier as Boston athletes to participate in "Black Lives Matter" protests.

Also making a difference was Chara's Bruins teammate, Patrice Bergeron. The B's alternate captain issued a statement of his own while donating $50,000 to the Boston branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the Centre Multienthnique de Quebec.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185939 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.07.2020

Polling Place: Which Chicago broadcasters are best? Blackhawks’, Bears’ duos get nods

It was sad not to be able to include the late Ed Farmer and his longtime partner, Darrin Jackson, and too soon to include Bulls newcomer Adam Amin and Stacey King.

Steve Greenberg

Jun 6, 2020, 8:00am CDT

No more long balls going “ka-boom!”

No more “buggy-whipped” dunks, either.

After 29 seasons broadcasting Bulls games, Neil Funk has hung up his press-row credentials. Chicago-area native Adam Amin — all of 33 years old — is his replacement alongside veteran analyst Stacey King with NBC Sports Chicago.

The White Sox, too, are in transition with one of their broadcast teams after the April 1 death of Ed Farmer. “Farmio” gave Sox fans 28 seasons of companionship from the radio booth, the last 11 with analyst Darrin Jackson.

For this week’s “Polling Place” — your home for Sun-Times sports polls on Twitter — we asked voters about their favorite TV and radio duos in town. It was sad not to be able to include Farmer and Jackson, and too soon to include Amin and King.

All the other duos among the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and Sox have been at it a long while.

“Chicago-area folks are very fortunate — all three [TV] broadcast teams are excellent,” @chicagobigd commented about our first of three polls. “This is a very tough choice.”

No one said doing your “Polling Place” duty would be easy. On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: Which TV duo is best?

Time for another "Polling Place." This one, after Adam Amin Bulls news, is broadcast-themed. Vote! Selected comments will appear in Saturday's @suntimes.

1/3: Which TV duo is best?

— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) June 4, 2020

Upshot: It was nearly an even percentage split across the board, or, as Foley might describe it, “tirty-tree times tree.” But Foley and Olczyk surged to the finish line for an outcome that meets with no argument here. Interesting, though, that the Cubs’ and Sox’ guys performed identically, isn’t it? “Steve Stone is the absolute best,” @TimothyAMcNeil wrote. “And Benetti doesn’t fight him all broadcast.” Sorry, T-Mac, no baseball bragging rights this time.

Poll No. 2: Which radio duo is best?

2/3: Which radio duo is best?

— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) June 4, 2020

Upshot: “It is stunning that anyone would consider Joniak a good play-by- play announcer,” wrote @mrhonorama, who, we’re guessing, isn’t Joniak’s agent. The guy must be doing something right, given his and Thayer’s performance here. Or is this more a reflection of the Bears’ — and the NFL’s — popularity? My two cents (yeah, yeah, no one asked): Thayer’s eventual successor better not be another member of the 1985 team.

Poll No. 3: Generally speaking, should local play-by-play announcers be “homers”?

3/3: Generally speaking, should local play-by-play announcers be "homers"?

— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) June 4, 2020 1185940 Chicago Blackhawks And the 2020 playoffs, as odd and asterisk-marked as they’ll be (if they even happen), may be his opportunity to begin building his own reputation.

First playoff berth gives Connor Murphy chance to prove he’s Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.07.2020 Blackhawks’ new Niklas Hjalmarsson

After 444 NHL games over seven seasons, Murphy is headed to the postseason for the first time. It’s a place he’ll likely thrive.

Ben Pope

Jun 6, 2020, 7:30am CDT

A wealth of postseason experience has been mentioned frequently as a big advantage for the Blackhawks, the Western Conference’s No. 12 seed, when the modified playoffs finally begin.

But that experience doesn’t include Connor Murphy.

Murphy will make his first postseason appearance after 444 NHL games in seven seasons — four with the Coyotes and now three with the Hawks. His teams missed the playoffs in each of his first six seasons, and before this season paused March 12, he surely figured he’d miss out again.

Instead, the defensive defenseman — who celebrated his 27th birthday March 26 — will finally get his chance. Playoff hockey is precisely what Murphy’s style is designed for. He’s a vitally steady presence for a shaky defensive unit, averaging 21:15 of ice time per game this season, and he’s an increasingly relied-upon mentor and leader. This past winter, he was tasked with integrating waiver claim Nick Seeler and bringing along rookie Lucas Carlsson.

Murphy also has a spartan-like willingness to sacrifice his body: his 138 blocked shots led the Hawks by a mile, even though he missed 12 games with a groin injury.

His mobility, awareness, positioning and stick placement in his own zone are as close to perfect as the Hawks have. And he’s coming off an especially great season. His 50.2% Corsi ratio ranked third on the team, and it’s even more impressive when considering he started many of his shifts in the defensive zone against opponents’ top lines. Indeed, opponents’ shot quantity and quality were 10 percentage points lower when Murphy was on the ice versus when he wasn’t, according to HockeyViz data.

He also chipped in five goals and had 14 assists, setting career highs in points (19) and shots (117) despite playing only 58 games — 20 fewer than his previous career high. He led all Hawks defenseman — even the offensively inclined Erik Gustafsson (before his trade) and Adam Boqvist — in individual shot attempts per minute and trailed only Boqvist in individual scoring chances per minute.

In spite of all that, Murphy remains a relatively unknown name in the Chicago sports scene. The reality is, it’s hard for a defenseman to attract recognition during the regular season. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, for example, would not have nearly the star status they do if not for their postseason performances.

So this long-awaited first playoff berth is not only deserved but also crucial for Murphy, who will finally enjoy an opportunity to cement himself as part of the Hawks’ long-term “new core.”

Fittingly, the role Murphy can try to fill is similar to that of Niklas Hjalmarsson, the player general manager Stan Bowman traded to the Coyotes to acquire Murphy in 2017. Hjalmarsson never tallied more than 26 points in any of his eight full seasons with the Hawks, and he scored just two playoff goals. But his determined, selfless postseason efforts — critical to all three Stanley Cup victories — made him a Hawk to remember nonetheless. His 1,186 blocked shots in the regular season were largely forgotten, unlike his 321 blocked shots in the postseason.

Hjalmarsson, now three years into his tenure with the Coyotes, turns 33 on Saturday and may be entering the twilight of his career. A cracked fibula held him to just 27 games this season.

Murphy, meanwhile, is six years younger and seems to be just entering his peak. The broad-smiling Ohioan will never match Hjalmarsson’s hardware case, but he may well be every bit as talented and important a player. 1185941 Chicago Blackhawks

Toews: 'My message is to white people to open our eyes and our hearts'

John Dietz

6/6/2020 10:45 AM

Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Zack Smith all released powerful statements in the last few days condemning racism in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, who is black, asked white athletes to speak out -- and that's exactly what the three Blackhawks players did.

"A lot of people may claim these riots and acts of destruction are a terrible response," Toews wrote on Instagram. "I'll be the first to admit that as a white male that was also my first reaction.

"But who am I to tell someone that their pain is not real? Especially when it is at a boiling point and impossible to hold in anymore. It's obviously coming from a place of truth. This reaction isn't coming out of thin air. I'm not condoning or approving the looting, but are we really going to sit here and say that peaceful protesting is the only answer? There has been plenty of time for that, and if it was the answer we would've given it our full attention long ago."

Toews' post includes a 2-minute 17-second video of two black men having a passionate debate on what appears to be a city street.

"Listen to these two men debate," Toews continued. "They are lost, they are in pain. They strived for a better future but as they get older they realize their efforts may be futile. They don't know the answer of how to solve this problem for the next generation of black women and men. This breaks my heart.

"I can't pretend for a second that I know what it feels like to walk in a black man's shoes.

"However, seeing the video of George Floyd's death and the violent reaction across the country moved me to tears. It has pushed me to think, how much pain are black people and other minorities really feeling? What have Native American people dealt with in both Canada and the U.S.? What is it really like to grow up in their world? Where am I ignorant about the privileges that I may have that others don't?

"Compassion to me is at least trying to FEEL and UNDERSTAND what someone else is going through. For just a moment maybe I can try to see the world through their eyes. ...

"My message isn't for black people and what they should do going forward. My message is to white people to open our eyes and our hearts. That's the only choice we have, otherwise this will continue.

"Let's choose to fight hate and fear with love and awareness. Ask not what can you do for me, but what can I do for you?

"Be the one to make the first move. In the end, love conquers all."

Kane sent out four tweets on Friday. The first said: "Racism and injustice in our country must end. As a white male in this society, I will never truly understand. But I want to help in this fight for change -- and I know I cannot do that in silence."

The Hawks superstar went on to say that he would be contributing to My Block, My Hood, My City as well as All Stars Project of Chicago.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185942

Q&A with former Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda

Hejda and his family still live in Colorado and Jan remains a prominent member of the hockey community as a player agent and board member with Dawg National Hockey Foundation

MIKE CHAMBERS

June 6, 2020 at 6:00 a.m.

Czech Republic-born Jan Hejda concluded a nine-year, 627-game NHL career with the Avalanche in 2015. The shutdown defenseman spent much of his four seasons with Colorado playing with on the top pairing. Hejda, who also played for the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets, lives in Denver and remains a prominent member of the hockey community as a player agent and board member with Dawg National Hockey Foundation.

Q: How’s family life in the coronavirus pandemic?

Hejda: We usually go to the in the summer. This year, I think my wife (Tereza) and my son (Mathias, 11) will fly there later but I’m staying here (along with my daughter Natalie, 19). Travel is a little bit more difficult and I’m so busy here because of the situation with coronavirus and my clients.

Q: Tell me about your business of being a player agent for Edge Sports Management, which represented you as a player?

Hejda: I love it. It’s definitely more office work than I thought. I was hoping to travel and see the players playing more, but it’s definitely more office work. At the same time, I’m still on the player’s side and when they win the game, score a hat trick, I feel like I’m part of it. It’s the same way when I played — the team wins.

Q: You and many other former Avs and Colorado residents such as Pierre Turgeon, John-Michael Liles, Milan Hejduk, Kyle Quincey and John Mitchell are involved with Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation. Is it natural for the former NHLers to be drawn to helping local hockey families in need?

Hejda: Absolutely. But I feel like I joined too late. I joined right after I retired. I was telling people, for NHL players, they live a little bit in a bubble and don’t have a real idea and understand how little can help people a lot. When I played, I was involved in some charities, donating money, but with Dawg Nation I found out very quickly that $2,500 is changing a life. I saw a 140-pound guy crying when he received a $4,000 check. That’s the message I have for NHL players — just a little bit helps a lot.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment or period of time in the NHL?

Hejda: The season Patrick Roy coached his first year. Honestly, it was like living in a dream. We were very confident and we always believed we could win the next game, and the next game, and even if we lost two or three games I would think, ‘This is the time we’re losing it,’ we’d always start winning again. The feeling in the locker room was just awesome. Patrick Roy was a good coach and even if we were down by three goals going into the third period we still believed we were going to win. That was a lot of fun. That was a season I’ll never forget. In the playoff (first- round series, Game 7 overtime loss to Minnesota) I played with a broken thumb and three pins through my thumb and a cast. I feel bad that I couldn’t help more.

Q: I hear your son will play another year with the 11-under triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds next season, but you’ll step aside as coach. Is this another classic case of a young boy not wanting to listen to his father, despite dad’s resume?

Hejda: (Laughing) I think he needs some different opinion than mine — at least for a couple years.

Denver Post: LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185943 Colorado Avalanche

Chambers: NHL’s summer-long Stanley Cup playoffs this year could become permanent

The league likes the idea of growing the game after the NFL and NBA seasons are complete and when baseball is traditionally the only major sport in-season

MIKE CHAMBERS

June 6, 2020 at 6:00 a.m.

Kiszla: “When something like this happens,” Nuggets star Jamal Murray says, “you can’t shut up and dribble.”

Playing Stanley Cup playoff hockey through the summer months might not be a one-time affair. I’m hearing the NHL is looking into permanently beginning its 6 1/2-month regular season in late November or early December — or possibly not until January.

The league likes the idea of growing the game after the NFL and NBA seasons are complete and when baseball is traditionally the only major sport in-season. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, that’s the plan to complete the 2019-20 season, and, according to former Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere, the league probably won’t begin the 2020-21 season until 2021 when it is allowed to have fans in attendance.

Thus, this summer and the next, the Stanley Cup playoffs could be played through the summer. If it works well, expect the schedule to stick.

Former NBC and Avalanche broadcaster Brian Engblom also told me a single-year season played throughout the summer could become permanent. And he doesn’t believe keeping arenas properly refrigerated in warm-weather climates would be a problem.

Engblom now works in the ’s television booth. He didn’t hear of any ice problems in 2015 when the Lightning hosted Stanley Cup Final games in June. And there didn’t seem to be an ice issue in 2018 when the Vegas Golden Knights hosted Final games in the desert.

“I don’t think ice would be that big a factor as far as I can see,” Engblom said.

In Denver, just imagine an Avalanche-Rockies double-header in August, with the hockey team positioned in the playoffs and the baseball club looking to make the postseason.

The Mile High City would be buzzing.

In due time. The St. Louis Blues aren’t urging their players to voluntarily report to the club’s practice facility Monday when the NHL allows players to train in small groups to officially begin Phase 2 of its four-part return- to-play plan. In fact, the defending Stanley Cup champions are telling players to continue to do what they’ve been doing, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

“I have talked with the players and they will tell us when they think we should open,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong told the Post- Dispatch. “If they feel comfortable training as they are (currently), they should. When they want us to open, we will.”

The Avalanche might have the same approach, given that official training camps won’t open until July 10 at the earliest. Per multiple Twitter followers, many Avs have been seen skating at a rink in Lakewood. As of Friday, no Colorado players have requested ice at the club’s practice facility, Family Sports Center in Centennial, according to a rink manager.

Regardless of where players have their small-group captain’s practices, they have nearly a month before training camp. The Blues and probably other teams believe that’s plenty of time to get ready for full team practices next month.

Denver Post: LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185944 Columbus Blue Jackets All injured players but one are expected to be ready, including key contributors Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The one who’s questionable, Josh Anderson, will be entering the tail end of a four- Blue Jackets hope they get in game shape quickly to six-month recovery from shoulder surgery.

“I don’t have a lot of concerns, because I think we have adequate time here for everybody to get ready,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Brian Hedger Kekalainen said. “They’re all professional athletes, so even if they didn’t have their gear (during the pause), they’re preparing themselves to be Jun 6, 2020 at 6:30 AM physically ready. Everything will be fine.”

Goaltending, however, could be trickier. The last time the Blue Jackets were together, they assembled at Without ice access during the break, goalies were forced to work on their Nationwide Arena for a morning skate on a day they were scheduled to reflexes and timing in other ways. The Blue Jackets’ Joonas Korpisalo host the Pittsburgh Penguins. and Elvis Merzlikins, for example, worked on hand-eye coordination They didn’t even get to their team meeting before the NHL decided to using tennis balls ― Korpisalo in Finland and Merzlikins in Columbus. pause the season because of the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s a little bit different,” Korpisalo said. “Being a (skater), you can go out “At that point you’re just like, ‘Well, we’re done,’ ” Blue Jackets captain and shoot pucks and stuff like that, but there’s not a lot you can do (as a Nick Foligno said, recalling one of the strangest moments in his 13-year goalie). How can I mimic the goaltending stuff without ice?” NHL career. “You’re sitting there ready for the coach to come in and talk, Merzlikins has tried by purchasing a machine that shoots tennis balls at and five minutes before that they come in and tell us, ‘Listen guys, we various speeds, as well as using a slide board to work on his leg motions. just got told that we have to send everyone home. No one’s allowed to be at the rinks.’ It was just a weird feeling.” “I think it depends from player to player,” he said of staying sharp. “It may take maybe a week or two, but still … you have to feel well, your body, That was March 12, and a lot has transpired since. you have to feel (good handling) the puck. I’ve never had this kind of As NHL players scattered to their offseason residences to wait out the experience in my life, so I think it’s a first time for everybody. But I think it league’s pause, nearly 1.9 million people have become infected and should be fine (after) maybe two weeks.” almost 110,000 have died from COVID-19 in the United States. If not, the Jackets or the Maple Leafs could be in trouble. Keeping a close eye on those numbers while trying to stay in shape, “It’s a great team we’re playing against,” Foligno said. “There’s a reason most without access to ice, players have muddled through an extended it’s going to make for an exciting format when we do get back to playing. period of uncertainty that finally is starting to gain clarity. The team that can get to their game quickest is going to have success.” The league announced last week that it will use a 24-team format to Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 06.07.2020 conclude the season, and on Thursday revealed its next step. “Phase 2” voluntary workouts in small groups will begin Monday at team facilities across the league.

The next step, Phase 3, will commence with the start of training camps at some point in July, followed by the restart of the season with a qualifying round decided in best-of-five series pitting the bottom eight teams in each conference.

The Blue Jackets, seeded ninth in the Eastern Conference, will play the eighth-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs in that round for the right to advance to the usual 16-team Stanley Cup playoff rounds, which will be determined by best-of-seven series and be held in two yet-to-be-named hub cities.

Seeding, as opposed to a bracket format, will determine matchups and which team gets more “home” games in all but the Stanley Cup finals, when regular-season point percentage will decide which team wears its “home” uniform the most and gets the last shift change.

It will be a two-month sprint to finish the season, especially for teams in the qualifying round. Finding top gear as quickly as possible will be essential.

“For any team that’s going to jump into the play-in round, it’s going to be, ‘Who can get to their game the fastest?’ ” Foligno said. “That’s going to be the main focus. What’s made you successful this season and how quickly can you get your team wrapped around that? The team that gets off to a quick start is going to have a real advantage because of how short the series is.”

That applies to all 24 teams, but the Blue Jackets might be among the most impacted. Their play-in opponent, the Maple Leafs, are a high- powered team with elite skill that also might be susceptible to bogging down against a physical, disciplined team such as the Jackets.

Columbus stayed afloat this season — after losing a raft of key free agents last summer and then half the active roster to injuries — with a stringent defensive style. The Jackets’ approach requires dedication from all players in the lineup, a willingness to block shooting lanes and a strong line of communication between the goalie and his defensemen.

In other words, the Jackets have a lot of moving parts in their engine, and there won’t be a lot of time to get them all in sync. The good news is how they played before the pause, moving themselves into the East’s second wild-card spot and benefiting from the break by healing. 1185945 Detroit Red Wings Finally, there’s the money. Do players on teams like the Pistons not get paid the same as players on teams that ultimately don’t make the playoffs? That’s eight games of revenue. You could understand a Piston Mitch Albom: Sports teams have big plans to play — except in Detroit or an Atlanta Hawk saying, “Hey, I’m willing to play and you’re not letting me. Why should I get docked?”

MLB standoff Mitch Albom Speaking of money, let’s talk baseball. Which is talking money. And 11:00 p.m. ET June 6, 2020 getting nowhere.

Unlike the NBA and the NHL, which only had to figure out how to end their seasons, baseball has to figure out how to get started. And the With most of the country slowly reopening, let’s check in on sports. players and owners are — what a shock! — not even close. An American spring is usually overwhelmed with basketball and hockey Unless you consider 114 games and 50 games close. playoffs, the Masters, the French Open, MLB’s regular season and NFL minicamps. Instead, since mid-March, we have basically seen 1) a virtual Those were recent numbers bandied about as players’ preference and football draft, 2) a rainy round of charity golf and 3) German soccer. owners’ preference. Whatever the gap, make no mistake — this is all about money. Not safety, not virus, money. We are seeing angry letters This is not a happy diet for ravenous American sports fans. It’s more like going back and forth from both sides, and lawyers and agents jumping wilted lettuce on Melba toast. Which is why so many of us got excited into the fray. It all reeks of previous labor stoppages (1981, 1994-95) and when behemoths like pro basketball, pro hockey and college football isn’t garnering any sympathy from anyone. When bakeries can’t make recently announced official return dates. their rent and health clubs can’t even open their doors, nobody blinks Well, outside of Detroit, anyhow. when Blake Snell tells an interviewer, “I gotta get my money, I’m not playing unless I get mine, OK?" The Motor City will not see the Pistons or the Red Wings until the 2020- 21 seasons – which may not begin until Christmas. If so, we'll have been Uh, OK. without basketball or hockey for nearly 10 months. Who cares? The reason? Our teams were not good enough. The Pistons were left Baseball is kidding itself on many fronts. For one thing, while it dithers in behind while 22 NBA teams got to continue. The Red Wings were compensation wars, the warm weather is passing. Unlike hockey or abandoned while 24 NHL teams skate on. basketball, you can’t play baseball whenever you feel like it. Taking the We’re like that kid who waddles home after not getting picked for kickball. season deep into October, or the playoffs into November, not only risks No other city has TWO pro teams rejected for being lousy! You’d think terrible weather and cancellations, it also lands smack in the middle of flu we’d get some kind of consolation prize, like free pizzas. season, when most medical experts predict another COVID-19 surge.

But no. We can only watch. Or will we? How realistic are any of the And, unlike basketball, baseball hasn’t shored up plans for a bubble-like leagues’ plans? existence. Without that — with players and coaches going home, interacting with the outside world — you are exponentially increasing the Let’s start with the NBA. Sure, it would have made way more sense to chance of virus exposure and spread. MLB has proposed a safety plan call the regular season over and take the top 16 teams into a (no spitting, no high fives) — which may be a moot point if they spend a postseason. But that would have left Zion Williamson on the sidelines, few more weeks arguing over dollars. and he’s a big TV draw. Plus, players wanted to avoid injuries by playing in some non-playoff games first, which makes you wonder how hard the Hockey and football? already-set teams are going to try. Hockey? Well, you may not care if you are a Red Wings fan, but the NHL Yet, despite all this, the Pistons may be luckier than we think. has both the most creative and most confusing approach to a coronavirus postseason. As of Monday, teams can open their practice Basketball hoops facilities for voluntary workouts, but only six players can enter at a time.

Consider the plight of teams like the Phoenix Suns, who were six games Then, at some point — still not determined — the teams will gather in two out of the final playoff spot when the season was interrupted, yet made it hub cities — still not determined — and start a complex series of under the wire for the restart. qualifying and round-robin competition, all to get to some kind of playoff schedule that will begin exactly — uh, still not determined. The Suns must now do weeks of training camp, lock down in humid Orlando in the heat of the summer, be tested every day, and be shut Good luck, guys. inside a compound with limited family members — all to play eight games that will almost certainly be meaningless. Finally, let’s talk football. The NFL keeps acting like the virus will just get out of its way, as pretty much everything gets out of the way for pro They are six games out of the final spot. If they lose their first three football. It’s no surprise that the state of Texas, where football is its own games they could be mathematically eliminated, yet have to stay in religion, has announced stadiums can fill to 50% capacity. This should Orlando, risk injury or exposure to COVID-19, all without a chance to make Jerry Jones and the Cowboys happy. Meanwhile, other states make the postseason, which, let’s face it, they were never making aren’t even allowing barbershops to open. So you’ve got a disparity anyhow. problem.

The Pistons’ deal suddenly doesn’t look so bad, does it? Not to mention the safety issue. Football is as contact-driven as it comes, and even a skeleton staff will likely mean around 100 team personnel. If Then there’s the players’ safety. Despite this general feeling of, “Hey, the there are no hub cities, and everyone is going home to their communities sun’s out, restaurants are opening, and other stories are dominating the then coming into work — and flying in crowded planes — all during the news,” COVID-19 hasn’t gone anywhere. It is no less potent than it was expected second wave of COVID-19, well, you do the math. when Rudy Gobert was infected and possibly spread the disease to other NBA players, effecting an immediate shutdown. To date, the NFL hasn’t rescheduled a single game. The same holds for major college football, which is even more baffling, as not all colleges Under the restart, players will be tested every night, and an infected have decided if they’re returning students in the fall, and not all states player will be quarantined for at least seven days. But there are no new have determined if stadiums will be functional. rules on contact. Players won’t be wearing masks while playing. So you have big guys, breathing hard, inches from each others’ faces, for a College has all the pitfalls of the pros as far as contact and exposure (in couple of hours every game and more during practices. Do we really fact, college teams are larger); plus, college has one other factor: When think nobody will get the virus — or spread it? Based on what data? the kids are done practicing, who is ensuring they are social distancing at There hasn’t been any organized basketball anywhere (hardly even any night, on weekends, at frat parties, keggers, late-night get-togethers? Do pickup basketball) to suggest that the game is virus-safe. The NBA could you really think you can have college students on campus without start up and shut down in a matter of weeks. parties? And we haven’t begun to see what Title IX implies during COVID-19, as far as testing procedures, access to play and facilities, etc.

So what does it all mean? Well, to sum it up: for now, in mid-June, it seems likely we will see some sports — without fans — before the summer is out.

Unless you live in Detroit, in which case basketball is out, hockey is out, baseball may never start, and once again, it could all come down to the Lions.

Heaven help us.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185946 Detroit Red Wings In hindsight: The Wings could have had forward Brock Boeser (23rd, Vancouver Canucks), an All-Star who was a finalist for the Calder trophy in 2018 after producing 29 goals among 55 points 62 games.

Detroit Red Wings 2015 draft review: Squandered picks and what they Boeser scored 26 goals in 2018-19 and was on pace for a third straight could have had 20-goal season when the NHL shut down March 12. Forward Travis Konecny (24th, Philadelphia Flyers) has recorded three straight 24-goal seasons. Helene St. James If Wings get No. 1 pick: Alexis Lafrenière ignites Detroit Red Wings' 4:20 p.m. ET June 6, 2020 rebuild

D Vili Saarijarvi

Players from the surrounding drafts already have made an impact for the Drafted: No. 73 Detroit Red Wings, but five years out, the 2015 class is looking like a dud. Draft year: Six goals, 17 assists for 23 points in 57 games with the Green Bay Gamblers (United States Hockey League). The Wings made six picks at the June 26-27 event in Sunrise, Florida. It was the year of Connor McDavid, the generational talent who went first Scouting report: Mobile and smart player. overall to the Edmonton Oilers, the fourth time in six years they picked Wingspan: Spent two season with the Griffins (27 points in 112 games first. from 2017-18 to 2018-19). Saarijarvi had fallen on the depth chart when The Wings, whose draft table at the time was run by general manager general manager Steve Yzerman traded him to Arizona for goaltender Ken Holland and chief amateur scout Tyler Wright, made their first Eric Comrie in November. Comrie lasted three games (0-2, 4.28 goals- selection at No. 19, choosing forward Evgeny Svechnikov. They didn’t against average, .864 save percentage) before the Wings waived him, have a pick in the second round because it was sent to Dallas as part of but Saarijarvi does not appear to have a future in the NHL. a trade that turned out badly for the Wings. In hindsight: The Wings could have had forward Denis Malgin (102nd, Where forward Dylan Larkin (15th, 2014) and defenseman Filip Hronek Florida Panthers), who has 60 points in 192 career NHL games. (53rd, 2016) have established themselves as key rebuilding blocks, If Wings get No. 2 pick: Steve Yzerman looks to Germany again, selects Svechnikov’s career has been marked by inconsistency and injury. Tim Stützle

The Wings’ 2015 class on the whole has disappointed and is more G Joren van Pottelberghe notable for who they could have had (highlighted by a couple of 20-goal scorers) and why they had only six picks. Their selection at No. 49 was Drafted: No. 110 packaged to the Stars as part of the Erik Cole trade. The Stars used it on forward Roope Hintz, who scored 19 goals for them this season, and also Draft year: 1.25 GAA in 15 games with Linkoping J20. gained Mattias Janmark, has played 143 games for them the past two Scouting report: Hard worker. seasons. Wingspan: Never played in the organization, but is notable because he’s Cole lasted 11 games before suffering a career-ending injury. the reason Kris Draper and Claude Lemieux spoke for the first time since This is the first in a series examining the Wings’ past five drafts. The Lemieux’s hit on Draper in the 1996 playoffs. Lemieux was van lottery for the 2020 draft, delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, is Pottelberghe’s agent, and approached Draper (who was part of the scheduled for June 26. Under the format announced May 26 as part of Wings’ amateur scouting staff) the day after the draft. the NHL’s plan to resume play, the Wings will pick no worse than fourth In hindsight: The Wings could have had forward Mathieu Joseph (120th, overall. Tampa Bay Lightning). He has 33 points in 107 games.

F Evgeny Svechnikov If Wings get No. 3 pick: Detroit Red Wings won't resist appeal of Quinton Drafted: No. 19 Byfield

Draft year: 32 goals, 46 assists for 78 points in 55 games with Cape F Chase Pearson Breton (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). Drafted: No. 140

Scouting report: Considered a complete package of size, skill and Draft year: 12 goals, 14 assists for 26 points in 57 games with strength. Youngstown Phantoms (USHL).

Wingspan: Svechnikov had a promising first year of pro hockey, with 20 Scouting report: Good size, skill. goals and 31 assists in 74 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2016- 17, and 12 points in 19 playoff games en route to the Calder Cup Wingspan: Captain at University of Maine his sophomore and junior championship. years. Produced eight goals and 14 assists in 59 games with the Griffins this season. Very coachable, hard worker with leadership qualities who He went through growing pains the following season, producing just might develop into an NHL grinder. seven goals and 16 assists in 57 games with the Griffins, and two goals and two assists in 14 games with the Wings. In hindsight: The Wings could have had forward Adam Gaudette (149th, Vancouver), who scored 12 goals in 59 games this season. Svechnikov, 23, missed all of 2018-19 because of reconstructive knee surgery after getting hurt during the exhibition season. He looked better If Wings get No. 4 pick: Detroit Red Wings select defenseman Jamie than expected (considering he hadn’t played in a year) at training camp Drysdale in 2019, but began the season in Grand Rapids, where he had a goal D Patrick Holway and two assists his first game. Drafted: No. 170 He yoyo-ed between Grand Rapids and Detroit the rest of October: called up for three games (did not to play) ... back to GR for two ... called Draft year: Eight goals, 17 assists for 25 points in 28 games with Boston up to play in four games (no points). Advantage (Tier 1 EHL U18).

Then he was sent down days before he could realize his dream of Scouting report: Good skater for his size (6-foot-5) and good hockey playing in the NHL against his younger brother, Carolina Hurricanes sense. forward Andrei Svechnikov. Wingspan: Spent two seasons at Maine (10 goals, 22 assists in 66 He finished with 11 goals and 14 points in 51 games with Grand Rapids. games overall). Took a year off, then transferred to Merrimack College, where he had three goals and seven assists in 17 games in 2019-20. This was Svechnikov’s last season of being waiver exempt, so he’ll have Wings still own his rights. to be on next season’s roster. He projects as a bottom-six winger. In hindsight: The Wings could have had defenseman Markus Nutivaara (189th, Columbus Blue Jackets), who has 60 points in 244 NHL games.

F Adam Marsh

Drafted: No. 200

Draft year: 24 goals, 20 assists for 44 points in 60 games with Saint John (QMJHL).

Scouting report: Good skater, hard shot.

Wingspan: Never played for the organization; no longer in system.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185947 Edmonton Oilers Even strength

3-6-9 (14:57)

Lowetide: Charting Theodor Lennstrom’s future with the Oilers 12-15-27 (16:00)

ES pts/60

Allan Mitchell 1.16

Jun 6, 2020 2.02

ES goal diff.

Theodor Lennstrom’s NHL draft year was 2012 — he is five days older 26-16 (+10) than Jujhar Khaira. His contract with the Oilers has the young defender, now 25, receiving a $92,500 signing bonus with $70,000 in the minors 32-25 (+7) and $925,000 should he play the season in the NHL. He is not eligible for Power play waivers, and Edmonton will control his future (restricted free agent) after the 2020-21 season. 31, 0-6-6 (2:09)

NHL contracts are a tell in terms of where teams plan to slot players for 4-10-14 (3:04) the coming year. Lennstrom is extremely likely to spend most or all of the PP/60 year in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, as the team might eventually part ways with William Lagesson and have several established 5.41 NHL options at Lennstrom’s position. 5.47 The player is looking at a substantial NHL depth chart and a likely landing spot in the minors for 2020-21. Lennstrom and Persson were productive players in the SHL at age 25.

On the other hand, based on Lennstrom’s development in the SHL over Persson’s strongest asset (passing) was useful, and he proved to be fast the last three seasons, this is an ideal time for him to test himself in North enough to compete in the NHL. Lennstrom has excellent wheels and can America. pass and transport.

Did Lennstrom choose his NHL team wisely? I think he did, and here’s Using Zanier’s words and applying them to both men, it comes down to why. the processing, reading and reacting effectively to plays as they develop. That challenged Persson and will be the key to Lennstrom’s success. THE #OILERS HAVE SIGNED THEODOR LENNSTROM TO A ONE- YEAR, ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT. Three years in the SHL

THE 25-YEAR-OLD DEFENCEMAN SPENT THE 2019-20 SEASON Lennstrom has been an SHL regular for the past three seasons, with real WITH @FROLUNDA_HC OF THE SWEDISH HOCKEY LEAGUE, success. His even-strength on-ice totals are strong each year, and he POSTING THREE GOALS & 12 ASSISTS. has gained playing time annually. PIC.TWITTER.COM/JKH3BQ6H7F Age — EDMONTON OILERS (@EDMONTONOILERS) APRIL 29, 2020 23 The season past 24 Mike Zanier, who is an analyst for Swedish radio hockey broadcasts, got 25 a good look at Lennstrom during his three SHL seasons. We talked about the young defencemen during “The Oil Can” podcast shortly after Boxcars Lennstrom signed. “He had a really good year, then got hurt. He was just getting back when the season ended,” Zanier said. “I think he’s got a 47, 5-11-16 good chance to turn some heads in Edmonton in the fall.” 47, 2-13-15 What he brings 31, 3-12-15 When asked about Lennstrom’s greatest asset as a player, Zanier said Even-strength TOI “really good wheels.” 13:34 “That’s his biggest asset,” Zanier said. “He’s got great explosiveness.” 13:06 You may recall the Oilers’ signing of SHL free-agent defenceman Joel Persson, who played 16 games with the Oilers in 2019-20 before being 14:58 dealt to the Anaheim Ducks at the deadline. Asked if Lennstrom is better positioned than Persson to make an NHL impact, Zanier said, “You never Even-strength pts/60 know how a player is going to adjust from the big ice to the small (North 1.51 American) rink and how they’ll process things. Some guys don’t miss a beat, and some guys take a while. I think he’s a little older, his greatest 1.46 asset is his skating. He won’t be a step behind.” 1.16 If we compare the two men in their final SHL seasons before joining the Oilers (both at age 25), it’s clear that Persson played a slightly larger role Even-strength goal diff. for his team: 33-24 (+9)

Year 32-24 (+8)

2019-20 26-16 (+10)

2018-19 Power-play TOI

Boxcars 0:17

31, 3-12-15 .48 0:19

50, 6-25-31 .62 2:09 Power play For the coming season, it’s difficult to see Lennstrom getting more than an NHL cup of coffee. His strengths (speed, puck transportation, passing, 47, 0-0-0 shot) are duplicated by better and more experienced players in front of 47, 0-2-2 him. Even the third-pairing job has a lineup (Jones, Russell, Lagesson) before Lennstrom gets a mention. 31, 0-6-6 He’s going to play in the AHL. While there, Lennstrom should see a PP pts/60 feature role and get a chance to post big numbers with plenty of power- play time. He could partner with Bouchard, building rapport with a player 0 sure to be in Edmonton for years to come. 8.06 The 2021 offseason will bring free agency, with Russell unlikely to return 5.41 and Lagesson representing the main competition. Lennstrom and Lagesson are not similar player types, so there could be a built-in speed Penalty-kill TOI and puck-moving advantage.

0:24 On the horizon is first-round pick Philip Broberg (2019), who could come to North America in time for the 2021-22 season. Between now and then, 0:49 there’s a window of opportunity for Lennstrom. 0:44 He’ll need to flourish in Bakersfield, but the script is there to be written. Penalty-kill GA/60 Lennstrom and his agent made an astute choice by signing with Edmonton. 0 The Athletic LOADED: 06.07.2020 4.7

5.29

The first two seasons are with Farjestads, and Lennstrom’s ice time increased in 2019-20 as he moved to Frolunda. During this past season, he was the No. 3 among defencemen in even-strength ice time and No. 2 in power-play time on ice per game. An ineffective Brandon Gormley led the team’s defencemen in time with the extra man, so Lennstrom’s injury would have had a significant impact on special teams.

The current NHL depth chart

Edmonton is well stocked on the left side of the defense. Oscar Klefbom and are deployed in all three disciplines, and both averaged over 23 minutes a game in 2019-20. Caleb Jones showed he was NHL-ready in the second half of the season, and he will battle veteran Kris Russell for playing time during the upcoming NHL postseason.

The extra spot, the No. 7 roster space, might be occupied by Jones or Russell. Or it could be Lagesson, who is waiver-eligible beginning in 2020-21 and could be lost if he is sent back to Bakersfield. The final spot could also go to a right-handed blue, as Evan Bouchard could force the issue from the other side if he takes Matt Benning’s job inside the top three pairings (Benning would be the odd man out, the extra man).

Lennstrom has a difficult path to NHL games in 2020-21. Even an injury likely isn’t enough for him to be recalled.

2020-21 offseason

Things will change in the 2021 offseason with free-agency and expansion considerations. Adam Larsson and Russell will be unrestricted, opening up spots for youngsters like Jones, Lagesson and Bouchard.

At the same time, the Seattle expansion draft could take a defender away.

The expansion rules state that each NHL team must make available one defenceman who is under contract in 2021-22 and played in at least 40 NHL games the prior season or played in at least 70 NHL games in the prior two seasons.

Edmonton is likely to protect Klefbom, Nurse and Ethan Bear. Jones will also be protected if things trend in current directions, but the Oilers would have to either acquire a defenceman who met the expansion requirements, sign Benning to an extension or play Lagesson for 40 games next season to satisfy the rules.

Also worth considering: The organization made a heavy investment in Andreas Athanasiou at the deadline, and it might be wise to sign Ryan Nugent-Hopkins before expansion. Thus, the protected list is still uncertain.

The possible expansion losses include Jones, Benning and Lagesson, if he qualifies by playing 40 games. If a defenceman is lost in expansion, Lennstrom is one of the players who could benefit.

What does it all mean? 1185948 Minnesota Wild the East and West. The eighth seed could potentially come down to a play-in tournament.

Location of games: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney When will pro sports return? Soon. Here's what we know World in Orlando.

Targeted start of play: July 31.

Staff Writer Star Tribune LOADED: 06.07.2020 JUNE 6, 2020 — 11:38PM

Professional sports leagues in the United States — with Major League Baseball being the major exception — made significant strides last week as they try to come back from the coronavirus pandemic that shut down play in March. Here’s a recap:

NHL

The latest: Disclosed details of its planned Stanley Cup playoff format and said teams will be allowed to open training facilities Monday so that players can begin voluntary workouts in groups no larger than six.

Teams involved: 24 of 31 (top 12 in each conference based on points percentage when play stopped). That would include the Wild.

The plan: An immediate jump to the postseason, leaving the final 15% of regular-season games unplayed. First, there would be four best-of-five qualifying series in each conference (5 seed vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, 8 vs. 9). There then would be four best-of-seven rounds with reseeding after each. The top four teams in each conference would play separate round-robin tournaments to determine seeds 1-4. The 10th-seeded Wild would open against seventh-seeded Vancouver.

Location of games: One hub site for each conference, one of which could be the Twin Cities.

Targeted start of play: Late July or early August.

MLS

The latest: The players association voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement, clearing the way for MLS to become the first major league in the U.S. to return to action.

Teams involved: All 26, including Minnesota United.

The plan: The season would resume with a World Cup-like tournament at one site. Sixteen teams would advance from group play to a knockout stage, which would produce a champion. League officials also have proposed 18 more regular-season games — nine home, nine away — in teams’ home markets. That would be followed by the playoffs.

Location of games: For starters, the tournament would be at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando.

Targeted start of play: Early July.

WNBA

The latest: Proposed starting its delayed regular season in a single location, similar to the plan the NBA unveiled, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.

Teams involved: All 12, including the Lynx.

The plan: A 22-game regular season, plus a postseason.

Location of games: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Targeted start of play: July 24.

NBA

The latest: The players association voted to approve the league’s return- to-play plan and to continue with negotiations toward a resumption of the 2019-20 season.

Teams involved: 22 of 30, featuring the 16 teams that were in Eastern and Western conference playoff positions and the six teams that were within six games of a playoff spot when the league suspended play (that breaks down to 13 in the West and nine in the East). That does not include the Timberwolves.

The plan: Each team would play eight more regular-season games — or “seeding” games. The season would then continue with its typical structure: four best-of-seven playoff rounds based on 1 to 8 seeding in 1185949 Montreal Canadiens immediately that what he had to say really does matter and everybody needed to hear it.”

Struble is 18, and he spent a lot of time reflecting in Maine, taking in the Racial inequality discussion hits home for Canadiens prospect Jayden information on social media, opinions and news of the most recent Struble developments.

The anger he spoke of in his message had been simmering for quite Marc Antoine Godin some time as he watched instances of racial injustice continue to pile. Struble remembered Colin Kaepernick and how so many were upset he Jun 6, 2020 would kneel during the U.S. national anthem, rather than focusing on the message he conveyed through his silent protest.

But he also thought of the game he loves, a game that is predominantly When he decided to get involved in the ongoing discourse on racial white. He remembered hearing the N-word and people telling him to stick inequality, Canadiens prospect Jayden Struble hoped to join those who to basketball. But he also remembered the subtle looks he still gets are suffering, but also to reach those who need to listen. By sending a sometimes when he goes to play golf. message out on Twitter, Struble told himself he might force people to leave their comfort zone and think about a problem they might not “My experiences are not nearly as bad as a lot of black people in this believe is real. He hoped to educate people who are not educated country, and that’s kind of what started to connect with me and make me enough on the issue. angry,” Struble said. “This is happening to me for no reason; but look what’s happening to all the other black people in America, to a lot of Well, Struble’s words resonated in a place he might not have necessarily other black people out there, for no reason as well. That’s kind of where it been targeting. stems from.” They hit home. At home. When Struble was a child, his mother tried to expose him to as much The defenceman, a second-round pick by the Canadiens in 2019, has an cultural diversity as she could in her choice of daycare, schools and by African American father he never knew. He was raised by his white seeking out people of colour who could serve as role models for her son. mother, Tara Slack, along with his stepfather and their 10-year old twin But she always knew there was a limit to what she could do. boys. “The bottom line is he’s my son and the love that I have for him is “You come home and it’s kind of hard, not having another black person,” indescribable, but the pain that I feel for him, and have felt for him over Struble said. “My mom, she’s so loving and she tries to sympathize with the years when I’ve watched some of these things happen, it’s not easy me, but they don’t really understand.” to process,” Slack said. “I can empathize with him, I can feel his pain when he’s in pain, but I’ll never walk in his shoes and I’ll never 100 Imagine the person you are closest with, the person who loves you most percent understand.” and has always ensured you are well cared for being unable to understand the daily struggle of being a black man in America because Now, she understands a little bit more than before. But one conversation she lacks the life experience to understand it. The words, his mother can’t settle an issue that was left largely unaddressed for 18 years. admits, have always been difficult for her to find. “I sent her a huge paragraph explaining how I felt, how I saw the world, “Not that we were ever not supportive or provided a loving environment and she just got overrun with emotions,” Struble said. “I was saying how for him,” Slack said. “But, you know, when your child at 10 years old is she was blind. … It’s just a very emotional thing to go through.” called a racial slur, just playing a game that he loves, being on ice The tension between the black community and police also entered their playing hockey — what do you say to that? What can you really say discussion. that’s going to make it better? You feel like there’s no word because it’s heinous, and in the moment, you can’t believe it’s happening.” “I have an uncle, Scott, (who) is a police officer and, yeah, he’s a great guy. I love him,” Struble said. “But, you know, a lot of black people in the “So, while I would always tell him that I was sorry that it happened, and I black community don’t have Uncle Scott in the police force, they have would always try to find something positive like, ‘I saw your entire team uncles that are being killed by the police. Far too many black people come off the bench and support you when that happened’ or, ‘I saw this have that. So, just thinking about it like that, and trying to put it in a person really have your back and stand up for you, and that was really different perspective, is something that’s challenging for a lot of people, nice to see.’ But the reality is nothing about what happened to him but I think it’s rewarding too.” growing up playing hockey was positive; like, none of the incidents, the racial incidents, were positive. And it was really hard to find words that It is rewarding because Struble knows he has contributed to changing the would be comforting because there’s no place for that and it shouldn’t be way his mother sees his world. happening.” Slack, however, has always understood the adversity her son has been It took the tragic death of George Floyd, the massive mobilization that is forced to face over the course of his life has largely shaped the young finally forcing a crisis of conscience in so many, for a mother and son to man he has become. It just became that much more obvious when she confront an issue they had never appropriately addressed. read what he wrote on Twitter.

Once the pandemic hit, Struble went to spend time at a friend’s house “I just think the events over the past couple weeks have really brought who had proper equipment to train. After that, he spent two weeks in this to the forefront and made me realize that if my 18-year-old can use quarantine in Maine in order to go home to Rhode Island. It was in his voice, I really need to use mine too,” Slack said. “And a part of that is Maine, sitting near the ocean, that Struble learned of the events in us having more open conversations about how he’s feeling and his take Minneapolis. The police brutality, the demonstrations that quickly spread on what’s happening.” across the country, and the riots. Struble said he loves his uncle, but he has had trouble digesting what His mother saw it as a perfect opportunity to finally have that he’s seen from law enforcement when it comes to people of colour. In his conversation with her son, but she told him on the phone she would eyes, it is not necessarily the statistics showing how disproportionately rather do it in person once he returned home. targeted they are that hurts the most. He said it’s the general pattern of behaviour, the racism so many in uniform don’t even attempt to hide Struble couldn’t wait. anymore, even with cameras pointed at them. He said it’s the long wait On Tuesday morning, he sent this out on Twitter. that follows each incident before charges are filed — or not filed.

BEING SILENT DOESN’T IGNITE CHANGE Struble was alone thinking about this during his quarantine, remembering PIC.TWITTER.COM/AA2C9E1X0O all the victims who had lost their lives at the hands of police, and he was surprised he couldn’t keep all the names in order, that the incidents — JAYDEN STRUBLE (@JAYDENSTRUBLE) JUNE 2, 2020 blended into each other. That’s how many there have been.

“How do you not address what he tweeted right away?” Slack asked. “I don’t care if it was over the phone or in person, I needed to tell him “So obviously, having uncles in the family in the police force, and your friends’ dads and stuff like that, you see both sides of it,” he said. “But it’s more the general racism that you see without any consequence.”

Struble hopes the events of the past two weeks will be the final straw leading to real action and progress in improving how law enforcement treats the black community.

In the other community Struble knows well, the hockey community, dozens of NHL players have come out of their normal shells over the past week to denounce racism. Some of the messages might have seemed repetitive, but Struble does not take a cynical view — he saw it as a sign of progress.

“To be honest, I think that saying anything is a really good start,” he said. “For years and years, no one said anything. And I think part of the problem, too, is the fear of saying something that’s maybe not correct, or maybe they’re afraid of offending someone or something. But at this point, the more people that are receiving this message … I mean, it’s all done in good nature.

“I haven’t ever seen this many people standing up for it, so it’s great to see.”

On Wednesday morning, Struble and his teammates on the Northeastern University Huskies held a Zoom call and discussed what was happening in the world. Struble asked his teammates to become a vehicle for change and to focus on what to do next.

“You need to be searching for that change and searching for a better way, because if you’re just kind of sitting and waiting and, ‘OK, I posted something, now it’s done’ then nothing’s actually going to get done,” he said. “And I think a great step is just not one-offing these conversations. It’s not just a one team Zoom call and one tweet and then it’s over; you never think about it again.

“It needs to be a consistent part of how this country works. In free countries, every man is equal. Then we shouldn’t rest until every man actually is equal in this country.”

Struble, whose season came to an end Feb. 4 when he severely sprained his ankle, went home Friday and will undergo tests soon to hopefully get the green light to get back on the ice. He also saw his mother.

“I would hope that he would also feel like I’ve always been there for him and had his back,” Slack said Thursday. “But this whole thing was an enlightenment. Maybe there’s more underneath how Jayden was feeling that I’m not aware of and, if anything, it’s given us the opportunity to work on that.”

It took the death of George Floyd, it took a massive, nationwide protest, but a mother and her son have grown a bit closer.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185950 New Jersey Devils

NHL stars bash ESPN’s Max Kellerman for hockey-hating rant

Greg Joyce

June 6, 2020 | 10:32am

Hockey fans weren’t the only ones ticked off by Max Kellerman’s hot take.

Those who play the game Kellerman claimed nobody cared about and wasn’t one of the major sports also had a bone to pick with the ESPN host.

“I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but settle down Max @maxkellerman,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux tweeted Friday.

“Typical [clown emoji] statement from Kellerman saying no one in the US cares about hockey,” Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo tweeted earlier this week. “Not a “major sport”.

@maxkellerman tell it to the millions of fans and sold out arenas all across the league! You’ll hear more about this on [DeAngelo’s] podcast! @WatchYourTone4”

Kellerman, 46, offered his rant on Wednesday’s “First Take.” He didn’t say what he considered to be the fourth major sport in addition to the NFL, MLB and NBA.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but in the United States of America, no one really cares about hockey,” Kellerman said. “The old joke is, in every town there’s 20,000 hockey fans [and] they all have season tickets. So the arenas are always sold out, but the TV ratings don’t do anything. It’s not one of the four major team sports.”

Longtime “SportsCenter” host Linda Cohn was among the first to take Kellerman to task for his opinion, saying it was “insulting” to the game and those associated with it.

Even those hockey lifers new to Twitter had something to say about Kellerman’s claim.

“Hockey is alive and well @maxkellerman,” former defenseman, Islanders coach and GM Mike Milbury tweeted. “The MLB only has a steady viewership because men over the age of 70 use it as a sleep remedy. I prefer vodka. People love this sport around the world, something neither the NFL nor the MLB can say. Just ask Charles Barkley about our playoff.”

New York Post LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185951 New York Islanders 48. Sorry, Ken Schroy. This is Jacob deGrom’s now and, I’m willing to bet, forever.

49. Ron Guidry; 50. Sid Fernandez; 51. Bernie Williams … The best New York athletes to wear every number Jacob deGromBill Kostroun

52. It was going to take a supreme parlay of talent and heart to take this Mike Vaccaro number away from Buck Williams. And CC Sabathia did just that.

June 6, 2020 | 4:37PM 53. Harry Carson; 54. Goose Gossage …

55. We are at the start of a forest of football numbers, but Marvin Jones How do things change in 15 years? Well, back in 2005 I put together a and Gary Reasons are going to have to surrender 55 to a baseballer, list, 00 to 99, of which New York athletes own those uniform numbers. Hideki Matsui. There hasn’t been a lot of team success in those years, but there has 56. Lawrence Taylor; 57. ; 58. Carl Banks; 59. Kyle Clifton; 60. been a somewhat stunning amount of numerical turnover — 22, by this ; 61. Jeff Criswell; 62. Al Atkinson; 63. Karl Nelson; 64. reporter’s account. Did we just sleep through a golden age? Jim Burt; 65. Bart Oates …

Anyway: my list. And my new number owners. And an invitation (as if one 66. Randy Rasmussen won a Super Bowl with the Jets, and that was were needed) to hear (as I did for weeks afterward 15 years ago) where I good enough for a good long while. But David Diehl won two with the goofed: Giants, and so 66 is his now.

00. John Davidson; 1. Pee Wee Reese … 67. Dave Herman …

2. Well, even in 2005 the Derek Jeter army was in force, and I may have 68. Back in ’05, this was a share between Jaromir Jagr and Kevin been a little too cute by half in picking Secretariat, as I did. But there’s Mawae, and though they’re both Hall of Famers, Mawae did most of his little que2tion who gets this number now since he still had his two finest best work in New York. It’s his solo now. seasons (2006, ’09) and 1,731 of his 3,465 hits ahead of him. 69. Hard to think anyone will protest Rich Seubert taking this one away 3. Babe Ruth; 4. Lou Gehrig; 5. Joe DiMaggio … from .

6. Joe Torre had already won all four of his championships with the 70. Sam Huff; 71. Kerry Jenkins … Yankees by 2005 and probably should already have been given this over Carl Furillo. But it’s never too late to right a wrong. Plus, Furillo still has 72. Jason Ferguson was a nice placeholder for Osi Umenyiora. one of the coolest nicknames ever (“Skoonj”). 73. … 7. Mickey Mantle; 8. Yogi Berra; 9. Adam Graves/Clark Gillies … 74. Abdul Salaam wore it with great distinction for the Jets. But Nick 10. Clyde Frazier had it solo in 2005, but that was two Eli Manning Super Mangold wore it better. Bowls ago. Two titles apiece means we get to split this one in half. Who says no? 75. George Martin; 76. Jumbo Elliott; 77. Phil Esposito; 78. Greg Bishop; 79. Roosevelt Brown; 80. … 11. Phil Simms/Mark Messier; 12. … 81. Andy Robustelli’s years of faithful service merit him keeping his left 13. had a nice run, and if you want to argue that he should hand on this number, but another Giant, Amani Toomer, gets to keep his keep a share at least, clear your throat and go ahead. But you say No. right hand on it. 13, and only one name pops to mind, and it isn’t Josh Satin. It’s yours, A- Rod. Michael StrahanCharles Wenzelberg/New York Post

14. Gil Hodges; 15. Thurman Munson; 16. ; 17. Keith 82. Mickey Shuler; 83. George Sauer; 84. Zeke Mowatt; 85. Wesley Hernandez; 18. Darryl Strawberry; 19. Willis Reed … Walker; 86. Verlon Biggs; 87. Howard Cross; 88. ; 89. Mark Bavaro … 20. Sorry, it’s still my list, so Chris Mullin still has a permanent hold on this one. But I also saw just about every at-bat of Jorge Posada’s career. 90. The late owned it with grace for many years. But Jason He gets a share. And in 15 years, we may need to make some room for Pierre-Paul was the better player. Pete Alonso, too. 91. Butch Goring was solo 15 years ago, and as an essential element of 21. Paul O’Neill still deserves a share. But nobody has gained more the dynasty Islanders he keeps a share. But Justin Tuck and his two rushing yards in the 95-year history of the Giants than Tiki Barber. He rings merit co-owner status. needs to be in the picture, too. 92. Michael Strahan; 93. ; 94. John Abraham; 95. Rick Lyle 22. Dave DeBusschere; 23. Don Mattingly; 24. Willie Mays … …

25. Though I’ll always have a soft spot for Bill Melchionni, who taught me 96. We left this one open 15 years ago because there were really no how to properly shoot a free throw years ago (oh, and also led the Nets good candidates. Things might not have ended well between Muhammad to two ABA titles), fair is fair. This is Mark Teixeira’s now. Wilkerson and the Jets, but the good times were awfully good.

26. Orlando Hernandez; 27. Rodney Hampton; 28. ; 29. 97. Cornelius Griffin; 98. Jessie Armstead … Catfish Hunter … 99. Yes, it was a wonderful thing that Wayne Gretzky graced us with his 30. This one breaks my heart. Bernard King should absolutely have his presence as a Ranger the last three years of his peerless career. But he number in the Garden rafters, and I will die on that hill forever. But 30 is a was, and is, an Oiler in the mind’s eye. Especially with Aaron Judge tie, and Bernard doesn’t have a piece of it — Martin Brodeur and Henrik owning that number (and the town, when he’s healthy) now. Lundqvist do. Vac’s Whacks

31. Mike Piazza; 32. Julius Erving; 33. Patrick Ewing; 34. Charles There hasn’t been a lot of glory to sprinkle on either side of the baseball Oakley; 35. Mike Richter; 36. Jerry Koosman; 37. Casey Stengel; 38. divide, but if you’re on the fence and wondering about who is on the side Skip Lockwood; 39. Roy Campanella; 40. Joe Morrison; 41. Tom Seaver; of the angels, think about which side has people dipping into their own 42. Jackie Robinson … pockets trying to keep their minor league colleagues whole. And think 43. Spider Lockhart had a nice run, but R.A. Dickey won a Cy Young about which side is trying to figure out who among them can invent the Award for the Mets by throwing knuckleballs all across the summer of most onerous ticket-refund policy. 2012. You trust me, right? Well, if, like me, you’ve actually been able to use a 44. Reggie Jackson; 45. Tug McGraw; 46. Andy Pettitte; 47. Jesse good blues song to help you actually escape the blues, check out this Orosco … gem by the duo of Kevin Cronin (music) and Robert L. Ferrante (lyrics) called “Pinstripe Blues (No Baseball’s Got Me Down).”

I’m pretty sure the column photo the other day of Serby in the surgical mask goes directly to the Post’s column photo hall of fame (five-year waiting period waived) right alongside Serby in the coach’s headset and Wally Matthews in a cowboy hat.

So the Knicks technically weren’t eliminated from the playoffs this year until Wednesday, which means they were alive in June for the first time since 2000. Progress!

Whack Back at Vac

Robert Benedetto: Your column on Dean Meminger and Officer Bob Breen brought tears to my eyes. Let’s hope things quiet down and we can become a loving/helpful society once again.

Vac: I think that is one outcome all of us can root for without thinking twice.

Rich Close: Unfortunately horse racing is not what it used to be, but I have many unforgettable memories like yourself. Was there in July ’75 for the Ruffian/Foolish Pleasure match race. Don’t think I’ve ever been to a sporting event where the mood of the crowd changed so suddenly from great anticipation to total sadness.

Vac: Watched with my parents. Both cried when it happened. You don’t forget moments like that.

@dorth55: Thank you, Patrick Ewing. So happy you are healing from the coronavirus. New York basketball certainly misses peak Patrick, the warrior that you were in your playing days.

@MikeVacc: What he said.

Peter Drago: To me, the best sports movie has to be “Field of Dreams” and, “Dad, do you want to have a catch?” There are tears in my eyes even as I am typing the words. About 70 years ago I had my first catch with my dad in Brooklyn. How can there be so much magic in the simple act of tossing a ball back and forth?

Vac: That line get me every time. Every. Single. Time.

New York Post LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185952 New York Islanders “It was a fun chemistry to have with our team,” Trottier told Newsday last month. “Whether it was Clark, Bobby Bourne, John Tonelli, Anders Kallur, Greg Gilbert. It didn’t matter who was on the left side.”

Bryan Trottier's magical playoff run was crucial in Islanders' first Stanley Gillies was used with Trottier and Bossy on the Islanders’ potent playoff Cup victory power play, which went 25-for-96 (26.0%).

Bryan Trottier, Islanders center, displays his trophy after Bryan Trottier, Trottier opened his Conn Smythe playoff run with a hat trick in an 8-1 win Islanders center, displays his trophy after over the Kings in Game 1 of the best-of-five first-round series that the Islanders won in four games. Trottier gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 5:46 of the first period and completed his hat trick with two shorthanded Andrew Gross goals in the second period.

June 6, 2020 9:32 PM “And that’s when Al started using me as a penalty-killer,” Trottier said. “That was a flipping point. I never killed penalties from ’75-79. I might

have taken a faceoff from here to there, but Al’s like, ‘No, I need you for Bryan Trottier talked psychology. He marveled at his teammates’ play on offense.’ I got those shorthanded goals and all of a sudden, I started the Islanders squad that won the first of four Stanley Cups 40 years ago. killing penalties. He was like, ‘I need you to stay on the ice.’ I’m like, ‘OK, He praised Al Arbour’s system and nearly everything else the team’s a little more ice time is fine by me.’ ” legendary coach did. It culminated with Trottier being awarded the Conn Smythe — and the The Hall of Famer did just about everything but answer the immediate Islanders finally lifting the Cup after being eliminated in the semifinals question about his performance in that magical run, which was worthy of four times since 1975. the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. “It was just complete, utter joy,” said Trottier, who wound up winning “He became so dominant in 1980,” fellow Hall of Famer Denis Potvin told seven Cups, including two with the Pittsburgh Penguins and one as a Newsday last month. “He just established himself. I’ve often said if I Colorado Avalanche assistant coach. “It’s the biggest hockey moment I started my own team today, Bryan Trottier would be my No. 1 ever had. There’s nothing ever going to be close to that moment of being centerman.” a champion for the first time.”

Trottier had two power-play assists in the Islanders’ 5-4 overtime win Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.07.2020 over the Philadelphia Flyers in the deciding Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on May 24, 1980, at Nassau Coliseum. That capped a four-goal, four-assist performance in that series, with six of the points coming on the power play. And that capped an NHL-leading 12-goal, 17-assist barrage in the Islanders’ 21 playoff games.

Overall, four of Trottier’s goals and seven of his assists came with the man advantage. He also had two shorthanded goals and a shorthanded assist.

“I’d have to say he was the best two-way player in the league, when you really come right down to it,” Bobby Nystrom, who scored the Cup- winning goal in overtime, told Newsday in April. “He really dominated both ends of the ice. Usually, there’s a goal-scorer, and I’ll say Mike [Bossy, Trottier’s linemate] was the goal-scorer. But Bryan was the guy that was in both ends and in all four corners. He dominated in the corners.

“His ability to find the open man was just absolutely amazing. He wasn’t really flashy. He wasn’t the type of guy that’s, you know, Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky. He could take a hit and he could give a hit. You think, OK, he’s got all those points. But he was a mucker in the corner and just incredibly resilient. You just couldn’t knock the guy down. It’s like running into a fire hydrant. Immovable.”

The 5-11, 195-pound Trottier, from Val Marie, Saskatchewan, was drafted in the second round in 1974 and chose the Islanders over the WHA’s Cincinnati Stingers, who also picked him in the second round of that upstart league’s 1974 draft.

Trottier won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year after notching 32 goals and 63 assists in 1975-76.

“Bryan Trottier was a star the first time he skated in the Coliseum,” hockey historian, author and longtime Islanders television broadcaster Stan Fischler said in a recent email. “But he was still a teenager and he had to learn the ropes. His perseverance and grim determination was what lifted him to the higher level he would achieve during the dynastic run.”

Trottier set career highs with 87 assists and 134 points in 1978-79, but the Islanders lost in the semifinals to the Rangers in six games. He followed with 42 goals and 62 assists in 1979-80.

Trottier is well known for centering a dominant top line with Bossy and Clark Gillies, one of the best power forwards in NHL history. The two wings also are in the Hall of Fame.

But Arbour broke up the trio for the rest of the season after second-line center Butch Goring was acquired from the on March 10, 1980, switching Gillies to Goring’s wing and mostly using speedy Bobby Bourne with Trottier and Bossy. 1185953 New York Rangers 48. Sorry, Ken Schroy. This is Jacob deGrom’s now and, I’m willing to bet, forever.

49. Ron Guidry; 50. Sid Fernandez; 51. Bernie Williams … The best New York athletes to wear every number 52. It was going to take a supreme parlay of talent and heart to take this number away from Buck Williams. And CC Sabathia did just that.

Mike Vaccaro 53. Harry Carson; 54. Goose Gossage …

June 6, 2020 | 4:37PM 55. We are at the start of a forest of football numbers, but Marvin Jones and Gary Reasons are going to have to surrender 55 to a baseballer, Hideki Matsui. How do things change in 15 years? Well, back in 2005 I put together a list, 00 to 99, of which New York athletes own those uniform numbers. 56. Lawrence Taylor; 57. Mo Lewis; 58. Carl Banks; 59. Kyle Clifton; 60. There hasn’t been a lot of team success in those years, but there has Larry Grantham; 61. Jeff Criswell; 62. Al Atkinson; 63. Karl Nelson; 64. been a somewhat stunning amount of numerical turnover — 22, by this Jim Burt; 65. Bart Oates … reporter’s account. Did we just sleep through a golden age? 66. Randy Rasmussen won a Super Bowl with the Jets, and that was Anyway: my list. And my new number owners. And an invitation (as if one good enough for a good long while. But David Diehl won two with the were needed) to hear (as I did for weeks afterward 15 years ago) where I Giants, and so 66 is his now. goofed: 67. Dave Herman …

00. John Davidson; 1. Pee Wee Reese … 68. Back in ’05, this was a share between Jaromir Jagr and Kevin 2. Well, even in 2005 the Derek Jeter army was in force, and I may have Mawae, and though they’re both Hall of Famers, Mawae did most of his been a little too cute by half in picking Secretariat, as I did. But there’s best work in New York. It’s his solo now. little que2tion who gets this number now since he still had his two finest 69. Hard to think anyone will protest Rich Seubert taking this one away seasons (2006, ’09) and 1,731 of his 3,465 hits ahead of him. from Jason Fabini.

3. Babe Ruth; 4. Lou Gehrig; 5. Joe DiMaggio … 70. Sam Huff; 71. Kerry Jenkins …

6. Joe Torre had already won all four of his championships with the 72. Jason Ferguson was a nice placeholder for Osi Umenyiora. Yankees by 2005 and probably should already have been given this over Carl Furillo. But it’s never too late to right a wrong. Plus, Furillo still has 73. Joe Klecko … one of the coolest nicknames ever (“Skoonj”). 74. Abdul Salaam wore it with great distinction for the Jets. But Nick 7. Mickey Mantle; 8. Yogi Berra; 9. Adam Graves/Clark Gillies … Mangold wore it better.

10. Clyde Frazier had it solo in 2005, but that was two Eli Manning Super 75. George Martin; 76. Jumbo Elliott; 77. Phil Esposito; 78. Greg Bishop; Bowls ago. Two titles apiece means we get to split this one in half. Who 79. Roosevelt Brown; 80. Wayne Chrebet … says no? 81. Andy Robustelli’s years of faithful service merit him keeping his left 11. Phil Simms/Mark Messier; 12. Joe Namath … hand on this number, but another Giant, Amani Toomer, gets to keep his right hand on it. 13. Don Maynard had a nice run, and if you want to argue that he should keep a share at least, clear your throat and go ahead. But you say No. Michael StrahanCharles Wenzelberg/New York Post 13, and only one name pops to mind, and it isn’t Josh Satin. It’s yours, A- Rod. 82. Mickey Shuler; 83. George Sauer; 84. Zeke Mowatt; 85. ; 86. Verlon Biggs; 87. Howard Cross; 88. Al Toon; 89. Mark 14. Gil Hodges; 15. Thurman Munson; 16. Frank Gifford; 17. Keith Bavaro … Hernandez; 18. Darryl Strawberry; 19. Willis Reed … 90. The late Dennis Byrd owned it with grace for many years. But Jason 20. Sorry, it’s still my list, so Chris Mullin still has a permanent hold on Pierre-Paul was the better player. this one. But I also saw just about every at-bat of Jorge Posada’s career. He gets a share. And in 15 years, we may need to make some room for 91. Butch Goring was solo 15 years ago, and as an essential element of Pete Alonso, too. the dynasty Islanders he keeps a share. But Justin Tuck and his two rings merit co-owner status. 21. Paul O’Neill still deserves a share. But nobody has gained more rushing yards in the 95-year history of the Giants than Tiki Barber. He 92. Michael Strahan; 93. Marty Lyons; 94. John Abraham; 95. Rick Lyle needs to be in the picture, too. …

22. Dave DeBusschere; 23. Don Mattingly; 24. Willie Mays … 96. We left this one open 15 years ago because there were really no good candidates. Things might not have ended well between Muhammad 25. Though I’ll always have a soft spot for Bill Melchionni, who taught me Wilkerson and the Jets, but the good times were awfully good. how to properly shoot a free throw years ago (oh, and also led the Nets to two ABA titles), fair is fair. This is Mark Teixeira’s now. 97. Cornelius Griffin; 98. Jessie Armstead …

26. Orlando Hernandez; 27. Rodney Hampton; 28. Curtis Martin; 29. 99. Yes, it was a wonderful thing that Wayne Gretzky graced us with his Catfish Hunter … presence as a Ranger the last three years of his peerless career. But he was, and is, an Oiler in the mind’s eye. Especially with Aaron Judge 30. This one breaks my heart. Bernard King should absolutely have his owning that number (and the town, when he’s healthy) now. number in the Garden rafters, and I will die on that hill forever. But 30 is a tie, and Bernard doesn’t have a piece of it — Martin Brodeur and Henrik Vac’s Whacks Lundqvist do. There hasn’t been a lot of glory to sprinkle on either side of the baseball 31. Mike Piazza; 32. Julius Erving; 33. Patrick Ewing; 34. Charles divide, but if you’re on the fence and wondering about who is on the side Oakley; 35. Mike Richter; 36. Jerry Koosman; 37. Casey Stengel; 38. of the angels, think about which side has people dipping into their own Skip Lockwood; 39. Roy Campanella; 40. Joe Morrison; 41. Tom Seaver; pockets trying to keep their minor league colleagues whole. And think 42. Jackie Robinson … about which side is trying to figure out who among them can invent the most onerous ticket-refund policy. 43. Spider Lockhart had a nice run, but R.A. Dickey won a Cy Young Award for the Mets by throwing knuckleballs all across the summer of You trust me, right? Well, if, like me, you’ve actually been able to use a 2012. good blues song to help you actually escape the blues, check out this gem by the duo of Kevin Cronin (music) and Robert L. Ferrante (lyrics) 44. Reggie Jackson; 45. Tug McGraw; 46. Andy Pettitte; 47. Jesse called “Pinstripe Blues (No Baseball’s Got Me Down).” Orosco … I’m pretty sure the column photo the other day of Serby in the surgical mask goes directly to the Post’s column photo hall of fame (five-year waiting period waived) right alongside Serby in the coach’s headset and Wally Matthews in a cowboy hat.

So the Knicks technically weren’t eliminated from the playoffs this year until Wednesday, which means they were alive in June for the first time since 2000. Progress!

Whack Back at Vac

Robert Benedetto: Your column on Dean Meminger and Officer Bob Breen brought tears to my eyes. Let’s hope things quiet down and we can become a loving/helpful society once again.

Vac: I think that is one outcome all of us can root for without thinking twice.

Rich Close: Unfortunately horse racing is not what it used to be, but I have many unforgettable memories like yourself. Was there in July ’75 for the Ruffian/Foolish Pleasure match race. Don’t think I’ve ever been to a sporting event where the mood of the crowd changed so suddenly from great anticipation to total sadness.

Vac: Watched with my parents. Both cried when it happened. You don’t forget moments like that.

@dorth55: Thank you, Patrick Ewing. So happy you are healing from the coronavirus. New York basketball certainly misses peak Patrick, the warrior that you were in your playing days.

Peter Drago: To me, the best sports movie has to be “Field of Dreams” and, “Dad, do you want to have a catch?” There are tears in my eyes even as I am typing the words. About 70 years ago I had my first catch with my dad in Brooklyn. How can there be so much magic in the simple act of tossing a ball back and forth?

Vac: That line get me every time. Every. Single. Time.

New York Post LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185954 New York Rangers It was always the time to speak up and speak out against racism in hockey and against bullying in hockey, and that is why the world of organized hockey owes a debt of gratitude to Akim Aliu in specific, and a K’Andre Miller’s pain is call to action for all of hockey mountain of apologies to any young man or woman who has been subjected to abuse on the ice, in the room or on the bus.

I have covered fewer than a dozen hockey players of color in more than Larry Brooks four decades on the job. I believe I have covered each honestly and fairly without regard to heritage. But I confess that I neither understood nor June 6, 2020 | 2:42pm appreciated the fear, anxiety, vulnerability and stigma each felt as a matter of course in their daily lives. That is on me. I do now. Late in life though it may be, I will strive to be better. It would have been heartbreaking in any context to know the pain through which K’Andre Miller has lived, but somehow even more so when The NHL has pledged to be better and must follow through on its remembering how ebullient he was after being selected 22nd overall by promise. Veterans have spoken up this week, but it is the young the Rangers in the 2018 draft and how at the time the then 18-year-old generation that will lead socially just as it has taken the lead on the ice. spoke with pride and about his desire to give back to the community. The young generation appears to understand the nature of equality far better than the ones who have come before. So there is reason for hope. “Being African American, the opportunity doesn’t come that often. I worked very hard to be in this position,” Miller said in Dallas on June 22, Hockey must be better, starting at the youngest levels of the game, at 2018. “And for all the young kids out there, anything is possible. eradicating bigotry and bullying. We all must be better. A safe and welcoming environment must be guaranteed for all. K’Andre Miller — and “Once I get to New York, I’m looking forward to starting to do some all of the K’Andre Millers across this land — deserves no less. community service projects. Getting out in the community and really just getting myself out there. Getting out there and changing a community is New York Post LOADED: 06.07.2020 always kind of what I’ve wanted to do. To be in this position that I am, is definitely a dream come true.”

But then to learn this week of the suffering this young man has endured as a matter of course, well, it was distressing and should have provided a reminder to us all that neither life nor hockey provides a safe haven unless we all are committed to making it so. It should have reminded all of us to not only take a hard look in the mirror, but also at those to the left and right of us who may perpetuate bigotry and intolerance through inaction as much as action.

For these were Miller’s words contained in a statement he posted on Twitter on June 1 in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd and in announcing his support of the Black Lives Matter movement:

“I struggle because I’ve never been fully accepted by either the black community or white community,” Miller, a native of St. Paul, Minn., wrote. “I struggle because for years I have been one of the only people of color on my hockey teams. I was targeted because of my race when I was in youth hockey by some coaches, parents and players, but I refused to give up because of my love for the game.”

Miller, a 6-foot-4 defenseman, signed an entry level contract with the Rangers this spring following the completion of his sophomore season at Wisconsin. He will compete for a spot on the 2020-21 New York blue line, though chances are he will require an apprenticeship at AHL Hartford.

The organization must be ready for him and must be prepared to provide support in tangible, meaningful ways within the confines of a competitive and far too often macho environment. We know from two years of experience that David Quinn’s humanity, empathy and ability to connect on a personal level are perhaps his greatest assets as a coach, so that should serve the franchise and Miller well, but there must be more than that. The organization needs to construct a support system for its vulnerable athletes. And, of course, so does the NHL.

Miller’s official entry into the world of professional hockey was scarred when his April 3 Zoom conference call meant to introduce him to Rangers fans was defaced by a racist who repeatedly scrawled the n- word over the chat. Statements followed from the organization and the league. But until Miller’s June 1 social media post, he had kept his silence on the horrifying event.

“I’ve struggled for months to find the words to express my frustration and anger … it’s something I won’t ever forget,” Miller wrote. “But with COVID-19 taking a stranglehold on the nation, it seemed like there were so many priorities in the world, that it wasn’t my place to speak out about that incident.”

It is always the time to speak up and to speak out against bigotry. It is always the time to seek to be better. Words this week from NHL players of color, past and present — including Evander Kane, P.K. Subban, Anson Carter, Kevin Weekes and J.T. Brown — have dignified the national discourse. So, too, have the sentiments expressed by white players — including Logan Couture, Jonathan Toews, Jimmy Vesey, Blake Wheeler and Jacob Trouba. 1185955 New York Rangers In talking about the current protests going on across the country against systemic racism and police treatment of people of color, both Jones and Iginla are in favor of them (Iginla called them “powerful’’) and would Seth Jones, Jarome Iginla understand how Rangers prospect K'Andre prefer they stay peaceful. Both spoke about the hope for meaningful Miller feels about racial identity change coming as a result of the protests.

“Hopefully, we can all come together and unify as one coming out of this,’’ Jones said. Colin Stephenson As for their hope for Miller, both men wish him nothing but the best. June 7, 2020 12:50 AM “That was a terrible, terrible thing,’’ Iginla said of Miller’s Zoom experience. “That’s not what the NHL is.

K’Andre Miller saw the word scrolling up on his laptop screen, over and “I wish him a great career, a long career, to carry the torch. And be over. positive. I look forward to watching him enjoy playing in New York for the Rangers, and they’ll be one of the most fun teams to have success for in It was early April. The 20-year-old former first-round pick had signed his a sporting environment. I wish him the best, and to have fun.’’ first professional contract with the Rangers a couple of weeks earlier and was taking part in an introductory gathering with Rangers fans via the Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.07.2020 Zoom videoconferencing platform.

Then someone hijacked the call and repeatedly typed the most vile racial epithet so Miller, the biracial son of a black father and white mother, would see it. The Rangers and the NHL made strong statements after the incident and promised an investigation. Former Ranger Tony Granato, Miller’s college coach at Wisconsin, and a few of Miller’s future Rangers teammates responded with statements on social media in support of him.

Miller, a Minnesota native, didn’t say anything himself about the incident until Monday. He posted a statement on Twitter in which he addressed the unrest that has been seen around the country since a black man named George Floyd was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.

“I’ve struggled for months to find the words to express my frustration and anger over the Zoom conference call incident when I was to be introduced after signing my NHL contract,’’ Miller’s statement began. He said he struggles “because I have never been fully accepted by the black community or the white community.’’

Seth Jones, a Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman, gets that.

“I completely understand what he’s saying because I think I feel the same way,’’ Jones, who has a black father and a white mother, told Newsday in a telephone interview. “Since I’m biracial, I’m not going to sit here and say I’m part of the white community or part of the black community. I’m just me.’’

Jones, 25, is a role model of sorts for Miller, a 6-4, 211-pound lefthanded defenseman who was a first-round pick in 2018. They have never met, but they play the same position, are of similar size (Jones is 6-4, 209) and play a similar two-way game. Miller has said he tries to pattern himself after Jones, a four-time NHL All-Star Game participant.

Jones said he has not felt the sting of racism in hockey the way Miller has. Miller said in his Twitter post that in youth hockey, he was “targeted because of my race’’ by some opposing coaches, players and parents. Jones, who grew up in suburban Dallas and whose father is former NBA player Popeye Jones, said he never had to deal with any of that.

“I haven’t been subjected to any racism, personally. Neither have my two brothers [Justin and Caleb, a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers],’’ he said. “I know I’m one of the very few people that probably haven’t, and I’m obviously very fortunate for that.’’

Jarome Iginla, the former Calgary Flames forward who retired in 2017 after a 21-season NHL career that produced 625 goals and 1,300 points, also is biracial. Like Miller and Jones, he also has a black father and white mother. Like Jones, he said he never dealt with racism in the game.

But he also understands Miller’s feelings of not being accepted by either the black or white communities.

“I can understand where he’s coming from,’’ said Iginla, a lock to be a first-ballot Hockey Hall of Famer in 2020. “I do remember one incident, after a night out, and a black guy asked me, ‘Are you a black hockey player or a white hockey player?’ And that was a tough question. I said, ‘I’m both . . . I’m a black hockey player. But my mom’s white. I’m both.’ He didn’t like the answer.’’ 1185956 Ottawa Senators Some people have a gift for the gab and Walter, a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan and a excellent athlete, could make you smile but nobody laughed more at their own jokes than Walt.

Hopefully our pal Walter Miller is teeing it up at a golf course in the sky Saturday, I’d go into Walt’s room with the Masters Music playing on my wireless speaker and we’d head for breakfast at the club. We’d be done by around 3 p.m., return to the hotel to turn on golf and talk about our day. Just for something different, we’d head to Casey’s to watch a Bruce Garrioch Stanley Cup final game. June 6, 2020 2:45 PM EDT Everybody made you laugh, but Walter was always the centre of attention because of his sense of humour. Offered the opportunity to go to the Cup final last spring I turned it down because taking this trip was Normally this weekend, on Friday at 7:30 a.m., my friend “Angry” Al fun and sitting here now I’m glad I didn’t take next year for granted. Armstrong and I meet outside Robertson Hall at Carleton University, throwing his golf clubs, overnight bag and numerous amounts of snack On Sunday, we’d play our final game. We’d promise to try to get together foods in my vehicle to head out for our annual golf weekend trip to Mont in the summer to play golf and if that didn’t happen it didn’t matter Tremblant. because there was always next year. In January, I picked up the phone to see how Walter was doing to talk about the trip and we set June 5 as We’d drive to Broadway Orleans or Jonny Canucks for breakfast to meet our date. the six players that regularly accompanied us on the tour that started at Le Diable, continued Saturday at Le Geant and wrapped up Sunday at This year there was no trip to Tremblant and maybe down the road the La Bete before we’d hug, say our goodbyes and look forward to next group that made the trek can hold a Zoom call to toast Walter’s memory year. and when we do we’ll have great memories. He’s gone too soon and here’s hoping he’s teeing it up this morning at a golf course in the sky. But, unfortunately, that didn’t happen this year and likely won’t happen ever again – at least not in the same way. Our thoughts are with his family, especially with Father’s Day right around the corner on June 21. We had pushed this year’s trip back to the fall because of the spread of the novel coronavirus. It was to be the 20th anniversary since my buddy Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.07.2020 Walter Miller and I started making this trip with our mutual friend Ken Clark and a group of Ottawa Firefighters in September 2000.

Doing something for 20 years makes it special and that’s why we never wanted to miss it. This started with 20 players and was moved to June annually in 2001 — including people from Broadway — but over the course of the last eight or nine years the group had gotten smaller with only two foursomes remaining.

This was a weekend marked with traditions, from who you roomed with and where we had dinner. It was always the same, and that was part of the magic. I had my room with my brother-in-law Mark Sorokan, my brother Brian and Angry Al. Just an FYI, Angry isn’t really angry, he’s lovable most of the time.

In the other room, Miller’s group was usually made up of Darren White, Kelly McInnes and Marc Stackhouse. Walter and I were responsible to get everybody on board so last year Al Soares filled in for McInnes. Miller made the reservations for rooms plus tee times by mid-March so we were set for the first weekend in June.

Then, along came COVID-19 and we postponed.

That was okay, though, I thought when Walter made the decision around mid-April if we can’t do it in September then there was always next year, except on May 28 we got the tragic news that Miller, only 56, passed away at the General Campus of the Ottawa hospital after a short illness.

It’s heartbreaking, and it’s sad to lose somebody so young, but all your thoughts are with his daughter Erika and son Dylan, his stepchildren Jonah and Abbey, his long-time partner Chantal and the rest of his family. You think about how much they’re going to miss him and it makes the golf weekend small but when you’ve been doing something this long it becomes old habit.

The weekend was scripted the same way.

After breakfast, we’d board the ferry in Cumberland, stop in Papineauville at the Metro to buy beer, arrive at Le Diable to hit balls, play 18 and then retreat to Les Tours de Voyageur for a few drinks before we figured out what exactly we were going to do for dinner some time around 9 p.m.

Why so late?

Well, we got stuck in the room telling stories and the barbs were flying. Walter had a world of experience in a number of areas — including hi- tech sales in Ottawa, a police officer and at some point he owned an O’Toole’s in Sudbury — so he could fill your ears.

Normally, we’d end up to Casey’s by the hotel.

“Walter would always make you laugh and smile,” White wrote in the guestbook on Walter’s obituary. “He could (and would) tell the same joke or story over and over and you would still laugh like it was the first time you heard it.” 1185957 Pittsburgh Penguins tournament, Rust should feel more than comfortable in a high-stakes environment given his previous playoff exploits.

Beyond this season, Rust, who likely would have reached the 30-goal Penguins A to Z: Bryan Rust becomes point-per-game player mark had the season not been disrupted, appears to be a bit of a bargain with a salary cap hit of $3.5 million for another two years.

He just has to keep scoring. SETH RORABAUGH Tribune Review LOADED: 06.07.2020 Saturday, June 6, 2020 9:34 a.m.

Note: CCPA compliance requires embedded widgets like Facebook, Twitter and inline videos be disabled in stories.

While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 54 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid- level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

Bryan Rust

Position: Right winger

Shoots: Right

Age: 28

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 192 pounds

2019-20 NHL statistics: 55 games, 56 points (27 goals, 29 assists)

Contract: Second year of a four-year contract with a salary cap hit of $3.5 million. Pending unrestricted free agent in 2022.

Acquired: Draft, third round (No. 80 overall), June 26, 2010

This season: Bryan Rust always could score. After all, plenty of his goals came in big moments during Stanley Cup runs in 2016 and ’17.

But he never scored so often prior to this season.

And forget about him morphing into a 20-goal scorer. He turned into a point-per game player.

It’s a good thing, too, because his offensive surge help buoy a team that was hampered by considerable injuries to the forward ranks.

Rust was injured himself in the last game of the preseason after blocking a shot with his left hand and missed the first 11 games of the season. Once recuperated, he showed off his scoring acumen right away by netting a goal in his first game of the season, a 3-0 road win against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 26.

(Video courtesy NHL)

While Rust increased the quantity of his goals, he didn’t lose anything in the quality of them. The Penguins’ leader with 21 minutes, 26 seconds of total ice time in overtime this season, Rust’s four winning goals are second-most on the team. Additionally, he found more regular deployments on the power play and led the team with nine goals on the man advantage.

Rust appeared to hit a wall of sorts by the start of February. In his first 37 games of the season, he had 45 points (1.21 points per game). After Feb. 1, he only had 11 points in the final 18 games of the regular season (0.61 points per game).

Beyond the base offensive numbers, Rust remained a contributor on the penalty kill with 1:38 of short-handed ice time per game, and his speed continues to make him one of the team’s top lead forecheckers, or, to use the parlance of the sport, F1s.

By the time the NHL halted play in mid-March, Rust, who in past seasons has often been moved up and down all four lines and both wings, virtually was welded onto center Evgeni Malkin’s right wing on the second line. While he had carved out a role on the top power-play unit, thanks in part so so many injuries, he eventually relinquished that spot to newly acquired forward Jason Zucker and was bumped to the second unit.

The future: Should the season resume this summer, Rust presumably will remain on Malkin’s line and with the second power-play squad as well as the penalty kill. And considering a restart will take place in a postseason 1185958 Pittsburgh Penguins Stralman said he is concerned for his health even though the NHL has said it will test every player every day.

“It would be terrible if we fly into hub cities and start playing and maybe Ron Cook: This big question remains regarding sports and COVID-19 one of the workers in the building gets it. It’s not just the 50 guys on our team. There’s a lot of people that need to be there to make this work. If some of those people get sick and potentially die from that, who is responsible? And is this something I want to be a part of? It’s about the Ron Cook safety, not just for me but everyone involved. That raises a lot of questions on if we should do this thing. If we do, would there be price to pay for it? I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do.” What happens if sports come back and somebody dies from COVID-19? The teams and their medical people will do their best to keep everyone Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner asked that question in this healthy, but no one can guarantee safety from the virus. People in and accompanying story by Mike DeFabo. Florida Panthers defenseman around the games, for sure, will test positive. Each sports league has Anton Stralman asked it during an interview with The Athletic. Everyone admitted that. It figures to be proceed-at-your-own-risk for the players, in sports, from the owners who could face liability to the players, coaches coaches and all of the support people. Maybe they will have to sign a and support people who will be on the front line, should be asking it. waiver to play or be involved in case, heaven forbid, someone gets really sick and dies. “Is it worth it?” Stralman asked. Sports are inching closer to returning, but they still have many miles to There already has been a death in sports from the coronavirus. A coach go. in the Nicaraguan baseball league died May 21. Eight other people were treated for COVID-19, forcing the league to shut down for three weeks. It Post Gazette LOADED: 06.07.2020 had no choice because the players were afraid to play. It should be noted the league didn’t take the pandemic seriously in its early stages.

We’ve seen positive tests in the brief time sports has been back or is trying to come back. The Penguins announced Thursday one of their players was infected. They didn’t identify him, said he wasn’t in Pittsburgh and said he has recovered and is feeling well. Two players on the Yomiuri Giants tested positive in the Japanese baseball league, prompting the cancellation of an exhibition game. Two Marshall football players and a staffer tested positive. So did an Oklahoma State linebacker after he participated in a rally in Tulsa.

Each player is going to have to decide if coming back is the right thing for him. Athletes, like everybody else, want to be paid. But at what risk to their health? COVID-19 has killed more than 107,000 Americans.

I’m pretty sure Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey speaks for the majority of athletes, many of whom think they are indestructible.

“None whatsoever,” Pouncey said when I asked him if he has health concerns about starting the football season. “We’re young and strong and healthy. I don’t see too many 60-year-olds out on the field …

“We’re a working country. We’ve been locked in for too long. We need to get back to work.”

I get that.

But what about the coaches? Six in the NFL are at least 60 years old, Seattle’s Pete Carroll the oldest at 68. What about staff members?

NBA commissioner Adam Silver told TNT’s “Inside the NBA” on Thursday that he is considering not allowing older coaches on the bench during games because they won’t be able to practice social distancing. San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, at 71, is the league’s oldest coach. Four others are at least 60.

Baseball’s Terry Francona is doubly at risk. He’s 61 and has a long history of heart and circulation issues. He isn’t more likely to come down with COVID-19 than anyone else, but, if he does, he could be facing serious challenges in beating it.

“I know I’m in one of the higher-risk categories,” said Francona, the Cleveland Indians manager and a New Brighton native. “But you know what? I’d rather manage and take the chance than just sit at home. That’s how I feel. I love baseball. I miss it so much. We had a meeting with the players on a Zoom call and I told them, ‘Man, I miss you knuckleheads.’ I won’t hesitate to come back and be a part of it.”

It’s not just older people in and around the games who could be at risk. Stralman, 33 and a veteran of 818 NHL games, has dealt with bronchiectasis, which prevents mucus from being cleared from his lungs. “I don’t know how my body will react if I get the virus,” he told The Athletic.

I’m betting a lot of other athletes have health issues. Diabetes, as just one example. The MLB Players Association is negotiating with the owners to clear the way for players with preexisting medical conditions to be able to sit out the season and still get paid. Those who don’t have conditions but aren’t comfortable coming back could sit out without pay. 1185959 Toronto Maple Leafs now, what are you doing to change how we look at what we do and what we say and how we show up as a sport? That’s what’s important.”

Davis said she’s been in contact with numerous players about ideas for Players speaking out on social justice ‘a huge moment for us’, NHL pushing the sport’s diversity agenda forward. executive says “That’s what I’m probably most encouraged by — the calls,” she said. “Not everybody is going to tweet, not everybody’s going to be comfortable using social media as the way they express their point of Joshua Clipperton view with the current situation, but lots of ideas (are) bubbling up from players.” Sat., June 6, 2020 GET MORE SPORTS IN YOUR INBOX

Never miss the latest on the Leafs, Jays, Raptors and more with the Kim Davis lists off a range of emotions. Star's Sports Headlines email newsletter. They’re the ones she’s gone through since seeing the video of life slowly Sign Up Now draining out of George Floyd’s body as a white police officer buried a knee into the Black man’s neck for nearly nine minutes. The ideas are also bubbling from a league perspective with regards to inclusivity in a traditionally white sport. And the emotions experienced watching the protests across the United States that followed. The NHL is in the process of getting its Executive Inclusion Council — which will take recommendations from separate committees of players, “Exhaustion ... encouraged, hopeful, optimistic,” said the NHL’s executive fans and youth — off the ground this summer. vice-president of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs. “Exhausted, I think, because this is a moment (like) many moments that Davis added that having the game’s biggest names out front is crucial. I’ve seen. Kane said in an interview with ESPN recently that players with Crosby’s status needed to offer their voice. “And I am anxious.” “Everyone’s hopeful and cautiously optimistic and positive,” Davis said of Anxious because Davis, who is Black, hopes these front-of-mind the NHL’s Black players. “(Kane) wasn’t calling Sid out. What he was conversations about racism, police brutality and social justice turn into saying was, ‘Sid is so important and has got such influence in our sport action not only in society at large, but in her sport. that his voice and view will be seen as an important lever.’ Player after NHL player has posted to social media since Floyd’s “I think everybody is ready to take action.” shocking death in Minneapolis on May 25. Davis said she’s received an “an unbelievable number of calls” from team It really started when San Jose’s Evander Kane, who is Black, spoke out officials she’s never met, including one assistant general manager keen and promptly garnered the public support of team owner Hasso Plattner. to set up a development program for minorities. The tweets and videos continued from the likes of P.K. Subban, who is also Black, and Auston Matthews, who is Latino American. Many of the “This can’t be done by Kim Davis alone or just by the league,” she said. game’s white stars also joined, including Connor McDavid, Sidney “We have to have those kinds of allies, those people that are in positions Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, Steven Stamkos and Braden of power and influence that are going to step up. Holtby. “The (Black) players ... feel very encouraged by the calls that they’re Blake Wheeler spoke with reporters on a video conference call that receiving and the support they’re getting.” lasted nearly 40 minutes, and any question about the NHL’s plan to resume its pandemic-hit season this summer seemed wildly out of place. But that wasn’t necessarily the case back in the fall when former NHLer Akim Aliu, who is Black, brought the issue of racism in hockey to the fore Tyler Seguin marched with peaceful protesters in Dallas. Zdeno Chara with his allegations against then-Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters did the same in Boston. from their time together in the minors a decade ago.

NBA and NFL players are no strangers to making their voices heard on Hockey’s stars were mostly muted. social issues. Hockey, however, has been a different story — a sport where conforming, not ruffling feathers and keeping your head down has So what’s changed with Floyd’s death, and those of Ahmaud Arbery — often been the rule. the Black jogger shot and killed in Georgia — and Breonna Taylor, who was gunned down in her home by Louisville police? But something’s changed. “This has been like a perfect storm,” Davis said. “We’ve got the natural “We know just culturally for our sport, that it has just not been our pause of the COVID pandemic, and people are listening more. They practice for players to speak up on almost any issue, but for sure social have the time to listen. So while these things have been happening for a justice kinds of issues,” said Davis, who added at least 110 NHLers have long time, the COVID pandemic has brought to light, for many, the racial posted to social media. “I’ve had people comment all week that for our pandemic. league to use race and Black Lives (Matter) in the same sentence is unprecedented. “To stop and witness for nine minutes, somebody’s knee on someone’s neck and to watch the life be taken out of them ... that’s your humanity “This is a huge moment for us, an appropriate moment, and I think it’s (telling) you there’s something very wrong. going to take us yet to another level of opportunity and change.” “That’s why people are speaking out ... that’s why players are speaking Davis, who’s been on the job with the NHL since 2017, wants to make out.” sure of that. Toronto Star LOADED: 06.07.2020 Players have been more forceful in their words denouncing Floyd’s death, while most teams, including some with strong ties to local police, have been more tepid.

But what comes next is what really matters.

“The emotional moment of the words and the tweets and the videos are nice, and it makes people feel good,” Davis said on a video call this week. “What I care about are the actions that follow. That’s what I’m going to be paying attention to, that’s what I’m going to be focused on, and that’s what I’m going to be measuring.

“Whether you say ‘Black Lives Matter’ or you use George Floyd, that’s great. But two weeks from now, two months from now, two years from 1185960 Vegas Golden Knights Bobrovsky and the defense have been porous (28th in goals allowed per game).

X-factor: Bobrovsky. The Russian netminder has struggled, but he was NHL’s Eastern Conference play-in series preview excellent last postseason for Columbus. If he finds his form, he could solve a lot of problems for Florida.

Last word: This is the most even series in the play-in round. Both teams Ben Gotz have a good shot to advance.

June 6, 2020 - 8:00 am No. 8 Toronto (-170) vs. No. 9 Columbus

Maple Leafs skinny: Toronto (36-25-9) was struggling until veteran coach Mike Babcock was replaced by Sheldon Keefe in November. Since then,

the Maple Leafs have the NHL’s No. 1 offense and rank eighth in points Sidney Crosby better be ready to lace ’em up if the NHL returns. percentage. They’re playing more run-and-gun hockey.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star and his teammates are one of eight Blue Jackets skinny: Columbus (33-22-15) is Toronto’s polar opposite. Eastern Conference squads that would participate in a best-of-five play-in The Blue Jackets have played tight-checking games after a talent exodus round under the league’s return-to-play format. this offseason. They’re 27th in goals per game but fourth in goals allowed per game. That’s not exactly a great prize for the Penguins, who were 15 points clear of their opponent, the Montreal Canadiens, when play paused X-factor: Coaching acumen. Columbus’ John Tortorella upset an because of the coronavirus pandemic. But it sure could lead to offensive juggernaut last postseason in Tampa Bay with less time to entertaining hockey, as rested, healthy teams battle to determine the 16- prepare. Imagine what he might do to a rookie coach in Keefe. team playoff field. Last word: The unstoppable force meets immovable object series. These Who has the edge in each matchup? Here’s a quick breakdown of the teams haven’t played since October, so who knows what could happen. Eastern Conference: LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.07.2020 (Odds courtesy of William Hill)

Byes: Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, Philadelphia

No. 5 Pittsburgh (-210) vs. No. 12 Montreal

Penguins skinny: Pittsburgh (40-23-6) ranks seventh in points percentage despite being impacted by injuries all season. This is a well- rounded team led by the excellent one-two center punch of Crosby and Evegeni Malkin.

Canadiens skinny: Montreal (31-31-9) is the weakest team returning to play. The Canadiens’ minus-12 goal differential isn’t easy on the eyes, and they sold at the trade deadline. Their veterans, notably defenseman Shea Weber and goaltender Carey Price, will have to carry them.

X-factor: Jake Guentzel. The Penguins’ left wing was named an All-Star after scoring 43 points in 39 games. A shoulder injury has sidelined him since December, but general manager Jim Rutherford sounds optimistic Guentzel will be back for this series.

Last word: The Penguins deserve to be favored. But the format still leaves them plenty vulnerable if they have an off night or two.

No. 6 Carolina (-150) vs. No. 11 New York Rangers

Hurricanes skinny: Carolina (38-25-5) is a possession-driven team trying to recapture the magic of last season’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The top line of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen is lethal, and the rest of the roster is solid.

Rangers skinny: New York (37-28-5) is the NHL’s youngest team, per Hockey-Reference.com, and one of the most exciting. Left wing Artemi Panarin is a Hart Trophy candidate, and center Mika Zibanejad also has dazzled.

X-factor: Clash of styles. Carolina tends to dominate the puck, and New York doesn’t. Will that lead to the Rangers’ leaky defense (23rd in goals allowed per game) getting exposed?

Last word: It’s easy to see why the Hurricanes were one of two teams to vote no on the return-to-play proposal. Their reward for a strong regular season is a tough matchup.

No. 7 New York Islanders (-110) vs. No. 10 Florida

Islanders skinny: New York (35-23-10) was running on fumes when the season was suspended. After an early 17-game points streak during which they went 15-0-2, the Islanders went 19-20-8 with a minus-16 goal differential. They don’t score a lot (22nd in goals per game) but are strong on defense (ninth in goals allowed per game).

Panthers skinny: Florida (35-26-8) hasn’t lived up to expectations after adding coach Joel Quenneville and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky last offseason. The Panthers’ offense is potent (No. 6 in goals per game), but 1185961 Vegas Golden Knights he would be eligible to sign an entry-level deal and play in the postseason, but the league isn’t allowing that this season. The NHL Players’ Association is expected to challenge that.

NHL’s Western Conference play-in series preview Last word: The Wild need decent performances in net to have a chance. Otherwise, the Canucks have the firepower to light them up.

No. 8 Calgary (-125) vs. No. 9 Winnipeg Ben Gotz Flames skinny: Calgary (36-27-7), last season’s Pacific Division June 6, 2020 - 8:00 am champion, started out shaky but found its rhythm under interim coach Geoff Ward. The Flames are ninth in the NHL in points percentage since

he took over in November, best among Western Conference play-in teams.

The Golden Knights are among the top four Western Conference teams Jets skinny: Winnipeg (37-28-6) has some of the league’s best top-end that will ease back into play if the NHL season resumes. talent. It also has some of the worst depth. The Jets’ blue line and bottom-six have struggled all season. It’s why they had the Vezina The conference’s other remaining eight teams aren’t so lucky. They will Trophy favorite (Connor Hellebuyck) in goal and were still on the playoff face off in best-of-five play-in series to determine the 16-team playoff bubble. bracket, which are sure to be filled with unexpected twists and turns as players return from a monthslong break. X-factor: Goaltending. This is a huge mismatch on paper, as Hellebuyck outclasses Flames primary starter David Rittich. Calgary benched Rittich Seven-game series are already unpredictable, so five-game ones have last postseason in favor of then-37-year-old Mike Smith. the chance to get chaotic. Last word: If Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice leans on his stars, this series Who has the edge in each matchup? Here’s a quick breakdown of the could get interesting. But the Flames’ lineup should be better most Western Conference: nights.

(Odds courtesy of William Hill) LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.07.2020 Byes: St. Louis, Colorado, Golden Knights, Dallas

No. 5 Edmonton (-155) vs. No. 12 Chicago

Oilers skinny: Edmonton (37-25-9), led by the NHL’s top two scorers in centers Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, narrowly missed a bye. The Oilers are strong on special teams (No. 1 power play, No. 2 penalty kill), but their depth can be exposed five-on-five.

Blackhawks skinny: Chicago (32-30-8), last in the Central Division before the shutdown, certainly wasn’t planning on a playoff run. The Blackhawks won 23 games in regulation, which ranks 23rd in the league and second- fewest among the teams returning to play.

X-factor: Experience. The Blackhawks have a playoff-tested core with three-time Stanley Cup winners Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The Oilers are relative playoff neophytes.

Last word: Talent favors Edmonton, but its margin of error is slim in a best-of-five series.

No. 6 Nashville (-135) vs. No. 11 Arizona

Predators skinny: Nashville (35-26-8) hasn’t met expectations this season. Forwards have underwhelmed. Goaltenders have disappointed. Top-pair defensemen Roman Josi (a Norris Trophy contender) and Ryan Ellis pretty much have saved the team.

Coyotes skinny: Arizona (33-29-8) also hasn’t lived up to expectations. Its defense is impressive, but its lightweight offense (23rd in goals per game) has held the team back. Forward additions Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall haven’t lifted the Coyotes above mediocrity.

X-factor: Goaltending. Arizona got only 29 starts from primary goalie Darcy Kuemper because of injury, but they were outstanding. He has a .928 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average.

Last word: Both teams have warts. It’s just a matter of who can cover them up best.

No. 7 Vancouver (-135) vs. No. 10 Minnesota

Canucks skinny: Up-and-coming Vancouver (36-27-6) is a high-flying outfit prone to exciting games. The Canucks can score (No. 8 in goals per game), but their already suspect defense fell off once the calendar flipped (No. 29 in goals allowed per game in 2020).

Wild skinny: Minnesota (35-27-7) has an excellent blue line, some decent forwards and questionable goaltending. Its team save percentage (.897) is third-worst in the NHL. The Wild were hot before the pause, though, as right wing Kevin Fiala blossomed into a star with 26 points in his last 18 games.

X-factor: Kirill Kaprizov. The 23-year-old Russian wing is the Wild’s No. 1 prospect and out of contract in the Kontinental Hockey League. Normally, 1185962 Washington Capitals This is why Saints Drew Brees came under so much scrutiny this week for once again turning Kaepernick’s message into a debate over the flag. It's why Goodell had to release the aformentioned video condeming racism on behalf of the NFL. And why Knicks owner James Sports will play a role in fight for racial equality, and be held accountable Dolan faced backlash for an internal memo that said his sports and when falling short of expectations entertainment companies "are not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters." It’s why you see other corporations,

leagues, teams and athletes being held accountable for what they say, or Prince J. Grimes don't say, during this time. If a statement is to be made, it needs to be bold and focus on the issues at hand: Racial injustices, police brutality June 06, 2020 4:00 PM and a flawed justice system. Anything less will be perceived by some as valuing financial interests more than black lives, at best. And at worst, not

valuing black lives at all. The industry of sports and entertainment will be one of the many agents In Washington, we’ve seen several athletes and teams add their voices of change if progress is to be made from the recent protests of racial to the cause. The Wizards released a statement that set the tone with injustices in America. Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was very direct messaging. "We will no longer tolerate the assasination of aware of the platform professional sports provided him, which is why he people of color in this country," read part of the statement, which is said used it to bring awareness to those very issues four years ago. to have come from guard Bradley Beal. He, along with Mystics guard On Aug. 26, 2016, Kaepernick sat during the national anthem before a Natasha Cloud, Redskins running back Adrian Peterson, Nationals preseason game. It wasn’t the first time he had done so, but NFL reliever Sean Doolittle and Capitals goalie Braden Holtby have been reporters took notice this night and had questions. amongst the most vocal amid protests.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that Beal has been vital in bringing attention to important causes, even before oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick explained after people took to the streets, and he still hasn’t been immune to criticism for the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on comments about looters. The Nationals and Redskins also faced varying my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people degrees of backlash for their respective statements. getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” If we’re going to effect real change and progress on issues of race in this His answer was very direct, and it came just a month after a black man country, it’s going to take for everyone to get on the same page and stay named Philando Castile was fatally shot by a Minnesota police officer on there until something is done, no matter how uncomfortable or a traffic stop. One day earlier, another black man, Alton Sterling, was inconvenient it might be. That includes our favorite leagues, teams, shot to death by officers in Louisiana. Both killings were caught on athletes and sports media outlets. What we're seeing now is that when camera. we don’t live up to that expectation, we'll all be held accountable.

There was enough recent evidence for anyone who claimed to be Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.07.2020 unaware of police brutality against black people to see it as a real issue. For people already aware, or awakening to the reality, Kaepernick’s stance resonated and meant much more than a football game. But many fans decided to turn a blind eye to his message, twist his peaceful protest into a stance against the United States military. They didn’t want their privilege of not being burdened by the same systemic ills that have plagued black communities for generations to be inconvenienced before the start of a football game.

Support from the NFL would’ve gone a long way towards keeping the focus on Kaepernick’s issue. Instead, the league allowed his message to get lost in a sea of false narratives. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admitted as much Friday night in a statement that never directly addressed Kaepernick: "We, the , admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest."

With it solely on Kaepernick's shoulders to figure out how to respectfully get his point across, he had a conversation with former NFL player and U.S. Army Green Beret Nate Boyer and decided to take a knee next to his teammates, instead of sitting on the bench alone. Still, the outrage over his protest continued -- spurred by comments from the U.S. President -- and he was exiled from the NFL.

The same things Kaepernick tried to bring awareness to have persisted since. Following the recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, the country has witnessed mass protests, some not as peaceful as kneeling. But if real progress is to be made this time around, sports leagues and teams have to support their athletes in the face of resistance, athletes equipped to speak light to these issues should, and sports media has to report the facts every step of the way.

As some of the most visible people around the country and world, sports figures have voices that carry a lot of weight. Athletes also have the financial power to help in times like these, whether it be with lawyer and court fees or donations. Retired boxer Floyd Maywether paid for George Floyd's funeral. Former NBA player Stephen Jackson, who was a friend of Floyd's, has been one of the most vocal and visible people during the protests. Bulls guard Zach Lavine used his platform in this moment to tell people to go vote, as have other athletes. With black players making up a large percentage of many leagues, it is the responsibility of those leagues to listen to their players and provide guidance, resources and support. If Kaepernick's very legitimate cause would've had support of the NFL and other stars, impactful actions could've been made sooner. 1185963 Websites "We've been outraged for hundreds of years, and nothing's changed. It's time for guys like Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby … to speak up…"

Evander Kane reacts to the death of George Floyd. Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: NHL community taking critical steps in pic.twitter.com/uQ3Gh8X8aW fighting racism — First Take (@FirstTake) May 29, 2020

A critical and swift second step was Sharks captain Logan Couture Luke Fox adding to a conversation J.T. Brown and Akim Aliu and Kane started (“I June 6, 2020, 8:25 AM think most of us have been at fault for turning a blind eye when it comes to racism. It cannot continue”) and Sharks owner Hasso Plattner putting his name to a supportive statement. (How many other major sports team owners have done so?) A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. The floodgates opened. Jonathan Toews, Alex Ovechkin, Erik Karlsson, Steven Stamkos, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Anze Kopitar, 1. There’s a bit of crazy in writing this in a week of clenched fists and tear Braden Holtby and, yes, Crosby were but a few of the 100-plus NHL gas, of rubber bullets and upside-down Bibles, of pandemic and players who penned and posted statements on social media. protesting: I feel more optimistic than ever. MLSE, owner of the Maple Leafs and Raptors, posted a job opening for a “People are hurting. People are dying. The world is in turmoil,” Hayley director of inclusion and diversity. Wickenheiser wrote late after midnight midweek, no doubt consuming the same stream of infuriating, encouraging news and video clips as the rest “I think it’s changing. I think it’s getting better,” Braden Holtby said Friday, of us. regarding NHLers’ reluctance to speak out. “You look at what Johnny Toews did. People will follow guys like that.” “We are on the cusp. Change is a coming. We have to be the change we want to see in the world.” Minnesota native Blake Wheeler and Holtby gave lengthy Zoom calls with reporters in which they thoughtfully spoke thoughtfully at length on People are hurting. People are dying. The world is in turmoil. We are racial injustice. on the cusp. Change is a coming. We have to be the change we want to see in the world. “I don’t think this time is a time to sugarcoat anything,” Holtby said. “It’s a time to look at ourselves in the mirror and really find how we can be — Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) June 4, 2020 better, and how we can take responsibility for the past and learn from It’s only a start, absolutely, but it’s a forceful one. And, God, this time it that to move forward. might have legs. Racism and police brutality are as old as sin. Cellphone “I’m really hoping — I really believe that this is going to change the world cameras just got better. in a lot of ways.” Since ever, my entertainment bubble has been co-headlined by rappers Patrice Bergeron, P.K. Subban, Patrick Kane and Tom Wilson were and athletes. I learned more about social issues and injustice and black among those who put their wallets behind the cause. Mark Fraser wrote history from KRS-One and Ice Cube and Chuck D and Brand Nubian and a tearful Players’ Tribune column, “Silence is Violence.” Pharoahe Monch than all my teachers and professors combined. On Thursday, Tyler Seguin attended his first peace protest at Dallas City As an impressionable kid, what my heroes endorsed mattered. (I didn’t Hall. Behind him, a woman held aloft a sign: WHITE SILENCE COSTS eat Pro Stars because it was a superior breakfast cereal; I ate it because LIVES. of the box.) “In a weird way, hockey and sports kinda pushed me into it,” Seguin said As a reporter, I’ve also accepted that active hockey players, for the most on Hockey Central @ Noon. “You talk about accountability in the part, stick to sports — and charity work. dressing room. So the people’s response to the murder of George Floyd, hopefully a “The first thing I said in my head — and I’ll never forget this — was: ‘I’m systemic breaking point in soul-crushing series of vile abuses of power, is white. I’m from Canada. And I’m an NHL hockey player, a predominantly an uplifting one. white sport. And this isn’t really my business.’ That kinda haunted me a Hip-hop artists I’ve admired for their art have been particularly active. bit. Understanding more, researching more, and seeing people, the pain really, and seeing George Floyd and how angry it made me, I realized Jay-Z called Minnesota governor Tim Walz and demanded justice, then this kinda is my business. bought full-page ads in newspapers across the U.S. to honour Mr. Floyd. Kanye West ditched his horrid MAGA cap, attended a Chicago protest “We’re not immune in Canada to racism. We can all be better. And I have and donated $2 million to the families of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and a small platform. Breonna Taylor. Killer Mike delivered an incredibly emotional and “Now it’s about taking the next step.” inspiring speech in his hometown Atlanta (and then, with El-P, dropped a soundtrack to revolt by). The optimist in me wants to believe we are on the cusp, that athletes kids look up to are better realizing how they can influence change. "We didn't create these conditions. White society did that. White people need to be teaching white people. Black people are tired. How In a matter of days, Kane’s tone has been inching from frustrated to much do we have to do for you before you do something for yourself? encouraged. Before you say: 'I'm going to self-educate myself.'"@KillerMike pic.twitter.com/GD08yGgAvb Upon seeing the snowballing response from his fellow hockey players, Kane tweeted: “STRENGTH in NUMBERS.” — UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 4, 2020 It’s been a real emotional week and a half. For so long we wanted to I’m not sure the hockey community’s response would be as thoughtful or be heard, to be seen, to matter. To see the country and world come as voluminous were the conference finals being waged right now, with together like this makes me hopeful as hell. BUT when the protests and controversial offside calls and borderline hits to distract us. posts stop, our advocacy can’t. Never stop fighting for equality. pic.twitter.com/mlJwpgdiRu But in some mysterious way, maybe North America needed a literal virus to focus on a vaccine for its rhetorical one. — JT Brown (@JTBrown23) June 4, 2020

I am sure the dominoes wouldn’t have tumbled were it not for Evander 2. The Presidents’ Trophy–winning Boston Bruins finished the season Kane giving the first one a nudge. The star went before with 100 points. That’s eight more than Tampa (92), 10 more than the cameras on May 29 and boldly challenged his white peers, naming Washington (90) and 11 more than Philadelphia (89). They’re not getting Sidney Crosby and Tom Brady specifically, to use their voice: rewarded enough for their superior season. Suddenly, all four Eastern Conference playoff teams are on equal footing “It takes a big leap for his development, just to be in that environment, to heading into a three-game round-robin; a points percentage tiebreaker, see how guys work, to see how guys practice, off-ice workouts, nutrition should it come into play, will be their only advantage as that foursome stuff, see our main guys doing it on a daily basis in a competitive battles each other for the top four seeds. environment. I think it would be invaluable for him.”

“With what the team was able to accomplish in the first 70 games and With clubs concerned about the long layoff leading to a spike in soft- then the point spread we had — not only with the teams in the league, tissue injuries, we could see some of these black aces jump into the but also with the teams in our division and conference — to kind of have spotlight as the tournament grinds on. three games dictate where we fall in the conference standings is somewhat disappointing,” president Cam Neely said. “I understood why In addition to an expanded roster of 28 skaters, each team is allowed to they landed on 24 [teams]. I just would have liked it without the round- bring an unlimited number of goalies to their hub. “Oh. So, no Zamboni robin for the top four seeds.” drivers will get to play, then?” my wife said. Good point.

In the West, St. Louis (94 points) and Colorado (92, with one less game 6. Much was made of the Maple Leafs’ midseason coaching change, and played) have instantly been dropped to the level of Vegas (86) and for good reason. But Sheldon Keefe’s promotion triggered a change at Dallas (93) in the round robin. the AHL level, as rookie Marlies coach Greg Moore made the challenging jump from instructing teenagers to adults. Essentially, the players on the top eight teams have chosen competitiveness over fairness as they await the survivors of the By Moore’s own admission, taking on a mixed room with wide-eyed qualification round. prospects in their early 20s and seasoned vets in their 30s threw him for a bit of a loop. Even simple things like how players of different ages “I think they’re going to be just as intense as those play-in games. If expect a drill to be run can vary. you’re fighting for seeding, you want to play the lowest-seed team. That’s why you fight for position during the regular season,” Vegas’s Ryan “Some of the older players, when you ask them to do something a little Reaves said on Good Show Wednesday. “You’re also getting ready for a bit outside the box in practice, they’re a bit hesitant. The challenge in team that’s playing heavy playoff-match-like games.” getting them to buy into something different, was definitely something that I didn’t expect as much to happen as it did,” Moore said. As much as casual fans and broadcasters may prefer the expediency of the bracket system, I’m all for reseeding after each round. This rightly “The younger players are still a little different in the sense that they’re makes the climb for super long shots Montreal and Chicago even either first- or second-year pro. They don’t have as many expectations as steeper. to what this level is and what’s been done the past and what practices should or could look like. So it wasn’t as hard with them to get them to 3. During Wednesday’s In Conversation with Ron MacLean, GM Kyle buy into something a little bit new or different.” Dubas said 13 Maple Leafs had stayed put in the Toronto area and another four or five had crossed the border and commenced their 14-day I asked a couple of Marlies, a rookie and a vet, to discuss that transition quarantine in Canada while the club readies for voluntary small-group from Keefe to Moore. workouts. Kenny Agostino, 28: “For one thing, Keefer was in his fifth year with the Ensuring the Leafs’ training facility, the , meets Marlies. He’s a veteran professional coach. He knows a lot of the guys, all of the health and safety guidelines of Ontario, MLSE and the NHL has played with a lot of guys, he’s won a championship with a number of been “very time-consuming,” Dubas explained, especially with no those guys in that room, so there was definitely a level of comfort and playbook to work from. ease that you can feel. Which, as a player, it’s encouraging knowing a guy who’s comfortable in his routine. You know what kind of coach he is Those Maple Leafs in Toronto for Phase 2's opening next week are early on. You know what he’s expecting out of you. being tested for COVID-19 today. Team looks to conduct physicals next week with players who clear the test and voluntarily show up for small- “[Moore] is a first-year coach coming into a team midway through the group workouts. season, coaching men, not kids. There’s a lot of factors. There’s a lot of adjustments from both his side and our side. He brings in new — luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) June 5, 2020 terminology, which also is an adjustment for both us and the coaching staff. I think you can’t just flip a switch and expect all that to just mesh Particularly interesting is that the Leafs are lobbying the government to smoothly midway through a professional hockey season. It’s just find out if their returning players can quarantine both at home and their unrealistic. sanitized workplace. “He probably learned a lot, and I know we learned a lot about him as a Remember, the NHL would prefer one of its two hubs to be in Canada, coach. And I think it’ll be much different and much smoother now that but if the country is still imposing a 14-day quarantine period when it’s he’s familiar with a lot of returning players next year. time to start the tournament, both locales will be in the U.S. “A jump from coaching kids in high school to men is not an easy 4. The league can’t still be considering Minneapolis/St. Paul as a hub adjustment for anyone. So I think for both sides there was an adjustment city, can it? period.”

5. Actions speak louder. Joseph Woll, 21: “Brilliant hockey minds. But at the same time, [both Fans will get a gauge of how their favourite hockey team views its bubble coaches] try to take an approach to where they form relationships with players and prospects by whom is invited to black-ace this summer… the players. That was something Sheldon did perfectly. He was the guy and who is not. that knew the game well and was an unbelievable coach from a technical standpoint, but at the same time he was someone the guys really looked Mark Spector breaks down the expected list of Oilers nicely here. Kenny up to and wanted to play for. He holds you accountable if you did Agostino is champing at the bit to start skating in Toronto, and half of something wrong. That was similar to Greg this year. It’s probably difficult Leafs Nation is already polishing up the Conn Smythe for Nick for him to come into the year to a brand-new team and come from the Robertson. USHL. It’s got to be a jump. So, I think that was probably difficult for him, but I thought he played it perfectly with us, and I think the Leafs helped Meanwhile, in Washington, GM Brian MacLellan titillated his fan base by make that transition as seamless as possible.” saying he’s looking at calling up 19-year-old Capitals prospect Connor McMichael. 7. It will be nearly impossible to compensate for the lost electricity and atmosphere in those fan-free playoff buildings. Kudos to Blue Jackets McMichael tore up the OHL this season, racking up 47 goals, 102 points GM Jarmo Kekalainen for finding a silver lining in the silence: Bench and a plus-32 in 52 games for the London Knights. coaches won’t have to holler their instructions through a Thunderdome. “It would be a great learning experience for Connor,” MacLellan said of “It’ll be easier to communicate with the players when they can actually 2019’s 25th-overall pick. “He seems to be a guy that can pick up things hear you. From the regular playoff crowd we had last year in Nationwide, from good players, from watching them, being around them. The I don’t know if they could hear what the coaches were saying. The crowd feedback from him last training camp was he was engaged, he learned a — our fifth line — was so loud,” Kekalainen humble-bragged. lot from [Nicklas Backstrom]. He learned a lot from our veteran players. 8. In the absence of fans, and with the host team expected to be “[Eakins] had to get rid of some of the things that came from Edmonton. I quarantined in a hotel, is there any advantage to competing in your home think those are gone now. He was very hard on some young people in hub arena? How long does it really take to figure out how the puck Edmonton, and it kind of backfired on him. I’m not saying it’s all his fault, bounces off the boards? by the way.

“Familiarity, I think, is the only thing,” Columbus captain Nick Foligno “He took the foot off the gas a bit with them. He’s going to be much more says. “I don’t really see the advantages of us playing in Columbus if we consistent and on point with everybody next year.” get to be the hub city.” Those are some pointed public comments. I’d love to be a fly on the wall “When it comes to playoffs, our fans are on top of you. It can be when Murray and Eakins meet face-to-face before the summer, which is intimidating. But when you have it the way it’s set up right now, it reminds the plan. me of the world championships. I mean, you go over there and a lot of times… it’s kind of neutral. Everyone just loves hockey. So, it’s going to Speaking to TSN radio in Toronto Thursday morning, Del Zotto stuck up be whoever can play to their system the best. It’s going to be the team for Eakins. The defeceman believes his coach was “thrown under the that can get to their identity to click.” bus,” arguing that accountability issues should fall on the GM and a balance of veterans in NHL dressing rooms is critical in grooming the 9. Among the union, Anton Stralman has voiced the strongest concerns rookies. we’ve heard so far regarding the dangers of a return to play. “Every team wants to get younger, but there is no accountability. It’s not “Is it worth it?” the Panthers defenceman asked The Athletic‘s Joe Smith. on the coaches. If the GM or the owner decides they want to rebuild, then they’re going with young guys,” Del Zotto said. “That seems to be the “I know everybody wants hockey back, but safety has to come first. And NHL now. Teams want to get younger and younger, for whatever reason, it’s a little bit worrisome, I can’t deny that. Even though most players are as opposed to just playing players who deserve to play.” young and healthy, I’m sure there are players like me that have underlying health issues. I don’t know how my body will react if I get this One more from Murray, summing up his exit meeting with star Rickard virus.” Rakell, whose 15 goals and 42 points marked his lowest totals in five years: “It was very insightful. I think he’s a very determined young man Stralman’s perspective is a unique one. For years he has battled right now. I’ll just leave it at that.” bronchiectasis. The respiratory disease makes it difficult for sufferers to clear mucus from their lungs. It comes with a chronic cough and chest 12. Something to look forward to: The will wear their pain. Stralman only recently stopped taking medication for the condition. beautiful throwback Kachina sweaters for “home” games when hockey resumes. “It’s not just the 50 guys on the team; there’s a lot of people that need to be there to make this work. If some of those people get sick and “They’re awesome jerseys. It’s one thing for the fans to get excited about potentially die from that, who is responsible? And is this something I want something. When our players get excited to wear something, that’s when to be part of? It’s about safety, not just for me but everyone involved. you know it’s pretty good,” GM John Chayka told Hockey Central @ That raises a lot of questions on if we should do this thing. And if we do, Noon. “I got texts from our players even when we announced it that they would there be a price to pay for it? were pumped up, excited to get back wearing the jersey.”

“I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.07.2020

Stralman’s stance, at least publicly, is an outlier. Much more common are comments like this, from Zdeno Chara.

“There definitely is risk involved. You have to accept risk in your lives,” Chara said. “Every time you step on the ice, there’s a risk of getting injured.”

10. The highest level Kodie Curran had reached on this side of the pond was the AHL, for 20 games.

In a triumph for old guys everywhere, however, the 30-year-old defenceman and late-blooming Calgary native has spun his MVP season in the Swedish Elite League into a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

GM Bob Murray chuckled at the weekly reports he’d receive from his European scouts on Curran, an option they’d been eyeing for years.

“The notes were always the same,” Murray relayed to reporters on a conference call Wednesday. “Bob, we’ve got to sign this guy. Bob, we’ve got to sign this guy. Bob, we’ve got to sign this guy.”

To us, the signing of Curran, a veteran left shot, also signals that Anaheim won’t be bringing back UFA Michael Del Zotto.

“We felt another one of our issues was that our defence was too young. And with young forwards, it really hurt us,” Murray said. “I expect some really good competition on defence this year, and we should be deep enough.”

11. Murray is the third-longest-tenured GM in the league. This marks the first time in 18 years that Anaheim (29-33-9) failed to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

During his postmortem with the media, Murray gave Dallas Eakins a mixed review, praising his new coach’s preparation and organizational skills but criticizing his special teams and consistency in holding the room accountable.

“Up and down the lineup, some of the kids were allowed to get away with murder this year. That’s over. Accountability in this group is going to change. I’ve said that a couple of times. I’m hellbent on that happening going forward. The coaches are going to hear that loud and clear. They already have,” Murray said. 1185964 Websites Roseland Theatre to watch a movie, requesting a ticket for a seat on the main floor as she was nearsighted and would have a better view of the screen. The ticket seller handed her a ticket to the balcony instead — the seating which was reserved for non-white customers. Sportsnet.ca / Sarah Nurse urges fellow Canadians not to 'suppress our Black history' Desmond walked into the main floor seating area and was challenged by a ticket taker, who told her she would have to move upstairs. Thinking there had been a mistake, Desmond returned to the cashier who in turn told her “I’m sorry, but I’m not permitted to sell downstairs tickets to you Thomas Ketko people.” After realizing the cashier was referring to the colour of her skin, June 6, 2020, 10:39 PM Desmond took a seat on the main floor anyway.

When she was confronted and told to leave her seat, Desmond refused and a police officer was called. She was dragged out of the theatre by A few years ago, Sarah Nurse was in the grocery store with her father. It the officer, suffering an injury to her hip and knee in the process, and was a normal, forgettable, everyday experience. And then Nurse’s father taken to jail. reached the cashier. It took until April 15, 2010 — 45 years after her death — for Desmond to They were making separate purchases, so he put his items up to be rung be granted a pardon by Nova Scotia Lieut. Gov. Mayann Francis at a through first. Nurse recalls watching as he did, and what stood out in that ceremony in Halifax. moment in hindsight, that moment which should have been normal and forgettable, was how the cashier’s expression changed as she realized “I think that we often take [what Desmond did] for granted,” Nurse said. her next customer was going to be a Black man. “We really suppress our Black history and I think that we need to really realize that and grow from it.” “She was bubbly to everybody going through,” Nurse told Caroline Cameron during Saturday’s edition of Hockey Central @ Home. “And as Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.07.2020 soon as my dad walked up, I kind of saw the look that she gave him and she kind of tightened up and really didn’t acknowledge that he was even there.

“He greeted [her], he said ‘Hello,’ he went through everything, he paid. She didn’t say a word. She didn’t really even look in his direction after that. And then as soon as he was done and had gone through, she looked at me and just perked up, just like she had been before. And that was something that day that I realized, really white privilege. And I realized that because of the colour of my skin and the pigment, I go through life a little bit easier than he does.”

"It's sad that so many people have turned blind eyes and it's taking this horrific murder of George Floyd to get the world listening."@nursey16 joined @SNCaroline on Hockey Central @ Home to talk about her experiences with racial injustice.

WATCH: https://t.co/e25Mn1qeSB pic.twitter.com/XnezPYwoNL

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 6, 2020

Being biracial, and in turn having lighter skin than her father, is what Nurse describes as her “unique lens” into understanding racism. She’s witnessed racism. She’s experienced it firsthand, in the hockey world en route to becoming an Olympic medalist where, as she put it, unless Black and Indigenous kids are “excelling at hockey, unless they’re good at hockey, they’re not afforded any respect.” And at times, as her grocery store story explained, she has been afforded white privilege too due to the complexion of her skin.

Growing up, Nurse learned these hard truths from her father, who is a history teacher, as well. Her unique lens combined with an understanding of Black History — and Canadian history in particular — has helped shape how she sees the current moment the world is going through, as protests continue across the United States, sparked by the death of George Floyd.

“I think that us as Canadians, we often, I guess, separate ourselves from what’s happening in the United States,” Nurse said. “And I think that as Canadians, we need to realize that that’s very wrong. There are many instances of unarmed Black, Brown, Indigenous people being, you know, killed by the police. Racism exists in Canada.

“I don’t mean to give a history lesson or anything, but I think of Viola Desmond, who is on the $10 bill. …people call her Canada’s Rosa Parks and we have to realize how wrong that is. Because not only did that happen nine years before Rosa Parks actually sat on that bus, we have to realize that what Viola did was just as important as what Rosa did in the United States.”

Richard Deitsch and Donnovan Bennett host a podcast about how COVID-19 is impacting sports around the world. They talk to experts, athletes and personalities, offering a window into the lives of people we normally root for in entirely different ways.

Desmond’s mark on history began on the evening of Nov. 8, 1946, when her car broke down en route to a business meeting in Sydney, N.S. To pass the time as repairs were being done, Desmond went to the 1185965 World Leagues News “We would not have access to Manhattan, we would have to sleep in hotels at the airport, to be tested twice or three times per week.

“Also, we could bring one person to the club which is really impossible. I Coronavirus wrap: Premier League testing boost as Djokovic shares US mean, you need your coach, then a fitness trainer, then a Open doubts physiotherapist.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for the prospect of salary and Staff Report transfer fee caps to be discussed at all levels of the game.

PA Sport Staff The coronavirus crisis has had a big financial impact across the sport and the global governing body hopes to finalise plans for a relief package at its next Council meeting later this month.

The Premier League announced there were no positive results from the The pandemic and its effects has led to calls for financial reform across a latest round of tests while world number one Novak Djokovic has cast cash-rich industry and Infantino has encouraged discussions on the further doubt on tennis’ US Open going ahead later in the summer. matter.

A total of 1,195 players and club staff were tested in the Premier “On the financial and governance aspects, I also heard some interesting League’s sixth screening session, which took place on Thursday and proposals on a wide range of topics,” he wrote in an open letter to FIFA’s Friday, and that yielded the second all-clear. members.

“The Premier League can confirm that on Thursday 4 June and Friday 5 “From salary caps to transfer fee caps or other taxation mechanisms, to June, 1,195 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, the possible obligation for governing bodies, competition organisers and zero have tested positive,” the league said in a statement. clubs to build reserves or to contribute to a reserve fund which can be of assistance in hours of need such as now. There were six positive cases from three clubs in round one, two from two clubs in round two, a further four from two clubs in round three, none Chelsea boss Emma Hayes believes the women’s game will become from round four and one from round five. stronger after the pandemic. The Blues were awarded the title on Friday after the season was ended using a points-per-game system. That means there have been a total of 13 positives from 6,274 tests administered and testing will continue on a twice-weekly basis. “With it comes new opportunities. We’ll roll with the new normals and I’m excited for what that might bring,” she said, with the WSL aiming to return Meanwhile, more details have emerged of matchday protocols ahead of over the weekend of September 5 and 6. the scheduled Premier League restart of June 17. “It might bring more broadcast opportunities which, for our game, is Premier League stadiums will be divided into three zones when the another step. season restarts, with West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady revealing how stadiums will be split into red, amber and green zones. “The next one is a constant layering of building on what we’ve done. I feel really optimistic and excited for the future.” “We are now in the process of agreeing the matchday protocols, which will include everything from zoning the stadium into red, amber and green Using BT Murrayfield for a number of sports makes perfect sense to zones,” Brady said in her column in the Sun. Scotland’s national clinical director Jason Leitch.

“Red zone will be the most severely restricted area, including the pitch, Leitch believes some grounds could be up to a quarter full when crowds the tunnel, technical areas, changing rooms will be limited to 105 people are initially allowed back into sports events. maximum, to include players, coaching staff, match officials and all the essential staff only. The Scottish Rugby Union has held talks with the likes of Hearts and Hibernian over using its home when football returns from the coronavirus “And only those who have tested negative for Covid-19 in the past five lockdown. days can enter this area.

“We will be creating a Clinical Passport System for those who will need to have access to the red zone. LOADED: 06.07.2020

Amber Zone - All interior areas of the stadium, including press facilities. All people must have temperature check before entering.

Green Zone - Outdoor areas including stadium car parks.

“The amber zone will be restricted to the minimum number of staff required to meet contractual requirements for broadcasting, media and club staff.

“This area includes all interior areas within the stadium and anyone entering this area will be subject to a temperature check and a health questionnaire.

“And the green zone is the stadium exterior, e.g. car parking.”

Djokovic dealt a further blow to the hopes of the US Open going ahead after claiming it would be “impossible” to play under the “extreme” proposed safety protocols.

The hard-court grand slam is due to begin at Flushing Meadows in New York on August 31, but there are serious doubts over the tournament due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

“I had a telephone conversation with the leaders of world tennis, there were talks about the continuation of the season, mostly about the US Open due in late August, but it is not known whether it will be held,” the Serbian told Prva TV television.

“The rules that they told us that we would have to respect to be there, to play at all, they are extreme. 1185966 World Leagues News The 49-year-old said: "I can select the time I want to run without having to go to the actual site and jostle through the traffic. It also gives me the flexibility to select my route.

Coronavirus: Virtual events getting popular "There are so many varieties of virtual runs. You can sign up for challenges that allow you to complete 50km, 100km or 200km in a month. Non-virtual races cannot maintain that kind of tracking for PUBLISHED 9 HOURS AGO participants."

Kimberly Kwek Virtual races are generally also cheaper than live races, with sign-up fees often costing less than $10.

While the Run-4-Asia Challenge has attracted slightly below 1,000 In previous editions of Spartan Races, Siti Aishah would find herself participants - compared to the 15,000 that signed up for last year's TRI- vaulting over walls and climbing ropes as part of the obstacle race series. factor series - Ting believes some features of virtual races will be But this year's race experience was slightly different for the avid runner. incorporated into conventional ones when such mass sports events are Instead of conquering a physical course, the hurdles the 38-year-old allowed to take place. tackled included burpees, push-ups and jumping jacks. The food and He said: "Our perception has shifted and we believe the new norm will beverage administrator also completed the equivalent of a 36km run in bring a different requirement to events. People will expect a bit of a the confines of her home by doing 7,000 lateral bounds, while also virtual element and the merging of the online and offline space." finishing a 50km run outdoors. Co-founder of 42Race Augustine Chua added: "Virtual races and Aishah, who did these races with her friends over Zoom, said: "We've traditional events are complementary with each other. accepted the fact that the situation is different from what it was last time so we wanted to do something that would help to keep us going. We "Before Covid-19, we have organised lead-up runs to marathons. People wanted to stay active and didn't want to quit what we love doing." will prefer to have more options to complete their races and will appreciate having more avenues to connect and socialise digitally with With the cancellation or postponement of mass participation events due their running buddies." to the Covid-19 pandemic, events like the Spartan Race and the Mizuno Ekiden Race, a long-distance relay, have been converted to virtual ones that allow people to complete a certain distance in their own time using a GPS-tracking app or device. straitstimes.com LOADED: 06.07.2020

Virtual race organiser 42Race has seen a two-fold increase in the number of races it has organised this year, compared to the same period last year.

Event management companies like Orange Room, which usually organise live races, have also started holding virtual events.It had projected organising 28 events this year, but the outbreak left the outfit with zero live events to oversee.

That was when the company decided to add virtual events to its repertoire. Its managing director Elvin Ting, 40, said: "Honestly, we didn't really believe in virtual events last year as we thought that events are experiential.

"When Covid-19 hit and events were cancelled, we couldn't hold events physically. So like all businesses, we needed to transform and this is where we first came on board with (virtual events)."

With plans to hold its annual TRI-Factor Series - a multi-sport event cross several countries in the region - derailed, Orange Room came up with the Run-4-Asia Virtual Run Challenge. It has also organised the Circuit Breaker Virtual Run and initiated the Run for Heroes 2020, a 1km virtual run aimed at honouring Singapore's front-line heroes while encouraging people to keep active.

Run for Heroes 2020 is supported by national agency Sport Singapore through the Active Enabler Programme.

Noting the atmosphere of virtual events is different from that of regular races, Ting said it is essential to link these online events to a cause.

MORE FLEXIBILITY

I can select the time I want to run without having to have to go to the actual site and jostle through the traffic.

VINCENT LIM, senior manager at an aviation company, on the benefits of virtual races.

He added: "With virtual events, the purpose and the emotional connection to the event is important.

People who sign up for a traditional event have a personal goal and, after completing it, they take a picture and that's social currency. But for virtual events, it has to go a bit deeper."

But, for some, the convenience and flexibility of virtual races makes them more appealing than their traditional counterparts.

Vincent Lim, a senior manager at an aviation company, has cut down on the number of live races over the past three years and has participated in more online events. 1185967 World Leagues News

More than 150 teams flock to baseball tournament in Shawnee, coronavirus concerns remain

by: Sean McDowell

Posted: Jun 6, 2020 / 10:18 PM CDT / Updated: Jun 6, 2020 / 10:18 PM CDT

SHAWNEE, Kan. — There’s an air of caution as local families return to summertime sports.

Metro youth leagues are playing ball while keeping pandemic considerations in the forefront. A large weekend baseball tournament at Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee has attracted more than 150 local baseball teams, making it one of the largest local sporting events since the COVID-19 pandemic arose in March.

The ping of a metal baseball bat proves the games will go on, albeit with a strong dose of coronavirus concern.

Tori Blake, director of operations with Midwest Sports Productions, works for a company that stages 150 youth softball and baseball events every year. Their first one for 2020 had to wait until June, making it much later than usual.

“We understand that most people are only now opening their doors,” Blake said. “The main mission was to figure out how can we open sport to allow the families who are ready to get back on the field. We really believe we can do this in a safe way.”

Bleachers at each diamond are closed, since they’re considered high- contact surfaces. Instead, fans have to bring their own chairs, and they’re welcome to sit with their relatives. Also, every game begins with a thorough disinfecting of dugouts. Concession stand workers are required to wear protective masks, and hand sanitizer sits at food purchase areas.

“If people are not understanding what we’re doing, it will be very difficult for them to come out,” Blake said.

The pandemic has taken a toll on youth sports events. Blake said Midwest Sports Productions lost roughly half its business for the year. Families in the league are also aching to get back to normal.

“I think for an outdoor sport, this is a great chance to give these kids a sense of normalcy, something they haven’t seen in the past 90 days. It’s safe. They’re far apart, and it’s giving them a sense of joy,” Jenifer Parks, a parent, said.

“Youth sports is so important for these kids,” Nathan Findley, another baseball parent, told FOX4. “They’ve been cooped up long enough, in my opinion. I’m glad they’ve taken all these precautions and extra steps.”

Midwest Sports Productions is hosting another baseball tournament next weekend, which, according to Blake, will host even more teams than this one.

fox4kc.com LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185968 World Leagues News

'Covid subs' may get nod in Test cricket

Staff Report

PUBLISHEDJUN 6, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT

LONDON • The International Cricket Council (ICC) is discussing the possibility of introducing substitutes if a player tests positive for the coronavirus during a Test match, England and Wales Cricket Board director of special projects, Steve Elworthy, said.

Last year, the ICC approved "like-for-like" substitutes across all formats of international cricket to replace concussed players during matches.

Elworthy has said the same rule would have to be applied for substitutes as a result of the Covid-19 disease.

"Covid replacements are certainly something that the ICC are discussing," he told Sky Sports.

"I've seen communication about that and it's certainly something we hope would be allowed - specifically for Test matches, not necessarily ODIs (one-day internationals) or T20s (Twenty20).

"That replacement would have to be a like-for-like player... Our on-site Covid-19 medical practitioner and Public Health England would be informed immediately and that player would then be put into isolation for a period of time."

England are set to host the West Indies in a three-Test series next month, with the visitors flying in a 14-man squad plus 11 reserves next week who will train and be quarantined together before the first Test, which is scheduled for July 8 in Southampton.

"With the testing protocols of getting those players into that (bio-secure) 'bubble' first, you would hope that wouldn't be a scenario we'd have to deal with," Elworthy added.

"But clearly, it's something we are planning for."

The Straits Times LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185969 World Leagues News and umpires sign waivers that they will keep on hand," Gilley said. "We will review all policies because they are all different.

"Some people want the umpires behind the mound. Some want them 'I want to play baseball:' Summer travel sports begin during COVID-19 behind the plate, whatever. We are reviewing their policies and if this is pandemic what they want and we're OK with it, go with it."

There were 25,520 confirmed positive cases as of Friday in Tennessee Tom Kreager, Nashville Tennessean with 408 deaths and 16,925 recoveries. As of Thursday, the CDC said there had been at least 1,862,656 confirmed cases reported in the United Published 10:00 p.m. CT June 5, 2020 | Updated 1:00 p.m. CT June 6, States with 108,064 deaths. 2020 Tennessee law says parents cannot effectively sign pre-injury waivers for their children, which was reaffirmed in the Tennessee case, Blackwell vs. Sky High Sports in 2017. Clint Hammons has reservations about the return to travel sports. Closed fields make practice difficult Are we ready to return to sports during the coronavirus pandemic? Has everyone done their job in following guidelines? Finding places to play has been a task for teams. Many school fields remain off limits to outside organizations. And other parks departments However, allowing his son to play baseball this summer after the high are just starting to open their complexes. school spring season was canceled has become more important. “Finding practice fields has been the more difficult part," said Roger "We asked him, 'What do you want to do?' Hammons said. Cook, director from Swing Check Baseball in Jackson. "We have had to His son Bryson, a junior at Marshall County, told his parents: "I want to limit practice to 10 kids and take advantage of anywhere we can get play baseball." outside with the fields around Jackson just beginning to open. Practices have been very limited.” Across Tennessee, travel teams are making their return to baseball and softball fields. Tournaments are sprouting up. Finding fields is the biggest issue for the Clarksville Orioles, a travel baseball program. Athletes are slowly returning to volleyball and basketball courts in workouts with strict guidelines that limit how many can be together. "Traditionally we’ve always used either the (Clarksville-Montgomery County) school system fields or Austin Peay’s baseball field," said Jared But all of this has come under a new norm with rules that change not only Hill, director of operations for the Orioles. "We’ve used the high schools’ from sport to sport, but also within a sport in different organizations. baseball facilities as well. But when school shut down and Austin Peay shut down, those facilities were no longer available to us.” Tournaments were recently played in Lawrenceburg in Middle Tennessee and Cordova in West Tennessee. Another in Clarksville is Right now, the program uses Clarksville Academy's field. under way. And a baseball tournament at various fields in the Nashville area is being played this weekend in Bellevue, Gallatin and Murfreesboro parent Tony Cortez has his own field on his property that Hendersonville. his son's 10-and 11-year-old Blueprint baseball team practices on. Even then, they followed strict guidelines when they first returned. "You are always excited to get to see your kid play of course," Hammons said. "But as far as this year, it is different. "We were doing small groups," Cortez said. "We'd have three players or so. It's hard to gel as a team when you only have three kids on the field "You are used to traveling to Nashville, Atlanta, Indianapolis or wherever at a time. We're used to nine on the field and a kid or two batting." you may play. But now you don't know where all these other teams have come from and how clean (from COVID-19) have they been through this Not everyone is comfortable traveling out of Tennessee for tournaments. whole process? I know where we're at, we've been fairly restricted. But Hit after Hit Baseball Academy director of operations Jim McGuire said was everybody that way?" he's had some families say they would prefer to play only at instate tournaments. This weekend, Hammons' son is playing in the Pastime tournament in Hendersonville, Gallatin and Bellevue. They will travel back and forth "We just tell them we'll catch up with them next time when we are back in from various ballparks to home this weekend. However, out-of-state trips Tennessee," said McGuire, a former MTSU baseball coach. are coming soon. But overall, the response has been positive. Hammons said his family is planning to take precautions. They will rent "I just think with no middle school ball or high school ball other than one homes with another family to avoid staying at hotels. That way they can or two games, this is pretty much opening day for everybody," said Lem also purchase food and cook instead of eating out at unfamiliar Pilkington, who opened Hit After Hit in 1993. restaurants. Volleyball stopped in season At the baseball diamond, though, things are different. Chris Hames is the co-founder of K2 Volleyball Club in the Knox County There are no set rules for all tournaments to abide by. Each has come up area. The club has 25 teams. Some travel extensively, while others play with its own guidelines. only local teams. Fans are not permitted to sit on the bleachers in Hendersonville's parks, The AAU travel season starts in January and goes through June. K2 has parks director Andy Gilley said. Fans must bring their own chairs and sit had nine tournaments canceled since the pandemic hit. down the first- or third-base line or in the outfield. Also there is to be no cash at the ticket gate. Alliance Volleyball Club, an AAU and USA Volleyball affiliated program in Williamson County, had about six tournaments canceled, said managing Gilley said at Drakes Creek Park, which is one of the sites for the director Abbey West. Pastime tournament that started Thursday, fans were allowed to sit on bleachers at two fields because that was the only area with a view to “We have chosen to still kind of give the opportunity for kids to come in watch games. here and train," Hames said. "For a lot of clubs, they had to cancel their season and they’re weren’t able to get back into the gym, and so now it’s "We've got so many rescheduled or an event will get canceled at one their quiet period. They won’t start until October." park and want to know if we'll take them on," Gilley said. "We have two things going on at once this weekend." West said Alliance resumed some practicing this past week.

Gilley said the park started to open a week ago with a couple games "The safety and physical well-being is extremely important to Alliance, so among high-school aged teams. we've created 90-minute sessions which include both a fitness component as well as a volleyball component," she said. "We are making each individual group holding a tournament give us their COVID restriction policy and we are making all their players, coaches "Each player has signed a release of liability and we are implementing strict return-to-play and safety guidelines. In addition to all of this, all our training is by registration only and we are not allowing any walk-ups. This "It depends on what stage we are at if we can play or not," Tom Insell ensures we keep the 50-person limit in the gym and our sessions are said. "We're planning on coming to Middle Tennessee if the phases are staffed appropriately." opened up."

Hames acknowledged some clubs won't survive without being able to run He said games in the tournament will be streamed, allowing college tournaments. Fees have been refunded. K2 has also refunded money to coaches to see athletes. Those athletes will also be told which coaches athletes, Hames said. watched their games.

“We had to refund all the tournaments we didn’t go to," Hames said. "We had to refund all the money for months that they didn’t get to train, which is the right thing to do. I probably refunded $30,000." Tennessean LOADED: 06.07.2020

Softball begins to pick up

Like baseball, Hendersonville has been open to holding softball tournaments. It is the site for a state tournament June 20-21 and a national tournament July 6-11.

"It's strange," said USSSA softball state director Ken Crook. "It's different in each county you go to. It's nuts."

Williamson County and Murfreesboro are not scheduling tournaments in June, Crook said.

Murfreesboro parent Roger Sargent, who coaches the TN Fury 02 softball team, said it's been difficult to find tournaments.

"There’s so much uncertainty. It causes anxiety," he said. "It’s a waiting game.”

Sargent said the team’s next scheduled tournament is June 19-21 in Chattanooga. He expects that will happen.

“I don’t want to rush to prepare for a tournament that I don’t even know is going to happen," Sargent said. "Because of that, I’m erring on side of caution. If I don’t have to get my kids together, I won’t do it needlessly. We’re not even practicing right now, which scares me."

Twin sisters Indy and Emily Cockrill had their junior softball seasons canceled at Brentwood. They play for two travel teams in the Midwest. This weekend was their first tournament in Missouri.

"It's going to be great," Indy Cockrill said. "We just want to stay safe with it and follow the rules and guidelines."

For this weekend's tournament, athletes are recommended to wear a mask when possible and try to be six feet apart when not in the game. Players can't sit on the bleachers.

"We're just trying to stay positive with it and try to get better through it all."

AAU basketball on hold

Not everyone, though, is playing.

AAU is still sidelined with some leagues already giving up playing for this year.

Nike canceled its EYBL seasons. Adidas and Under Armour haven't announced plans to cancel seasons.

And the NCAA has expanded the recruiting dead period through the end of July. College coaches can have no in-person conversations with athletes.

“Adidas is waiting on the NCAA to make the decision, and after they release the decision Adidas will release what they’re going to do," said Eric "Cowboy" Robinson, CEO of Team Magic Elite.

Robinson, who was recently hired as the Memphis Hamilton boys basketball coach, said playing AAU is important for players who are being recruited by colleges.

"Certain kids need this in the summer time," he said. "It's going to affect how they're being recruited. You've got some diamonds in the rough."

Tom Insell, CEO of Tennessee Flight Basketball Club, a Middle Tennessee girls basketball AAU program, agreed with Robinson and said the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt recruiting for the 2021 class.

Insell, the son of MTSU women's basketball coach Rick Insell, also is the CEO of National Exposure Basketball — an organization that hosts girls basketball tournaments. He has scheduled two tournaments in Nashville, tentatively to be held at the Music City Center from July 6-8 and 9-11. The organization's website says more than 1,100 teams are scheduled for the first tournament and 600-plus in the second. 1185970 World Leagues News

Pro bowling returns from coronavirus shutdown with 'PBA Strike Derby'

Thomas Barrabi

June 6, 2020

The sports world will take another step toward normalcy on Saturday night when the Professional Bowlers Association returns to live action following a lengthy pause in play during the coronavirus pandemic.

Eight of the world’s top pro bowlers will face off in the inaugural PBA Strike Derby at Bowlero Jupiter in Florida. The exhibition event challenges players to bowl as many strikes as they can during a two- minute window. The Strike Derby is the first of three special events the association has planned over the next two months.

Like other pro sports attempting a comeback from the pandemic, the PBA will play without fans in attendance and rigorous safety guidelines in place to protect players from the virus. The speedy return provides bowling with a rare opportunity to attract sports-starved fans at a time when most other leagues are still sidelined, according to PBA CEO Colie Edison.

“We think we can draw in a really big audience to our show on Saturday night and it will expose a lot more people to the PBA,” Edison told FOX Business. “Everyone has these antiquated perceptions on what bowling is. They envision an older man with a beer belly out on the lanes and it’s just nothing like that. What you’re going to see this Saturday night is top athletic form.”

The PBA pursued a comeback in Jupiter after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared sports an essential business in April. A host of precautionary health measures will be in place for the PBA Strike Derby, including enhanced sanitization and social distancing practices at the venue.

Bowlers won’t share any equipment and all staffers will have access to personal protective equipment. Only essential production staff and the bowlers themselves will be in attendance.

“The entire footprint is a lot smaller. There’s going to be less people on site,” Edison said. “When it comes to social distancing, I’d actually argue that bowling alleys have perfected social distancing from the beginning. We have lanes that are separated into pairs.”

U.S. pro sports leagues shut down in mid-March after the worsening pandemic made it impossible to safely hold events. The NBA, MLB and other leagues forced to suspend seasons are preparing to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in ticket sales and other sources of income.

Since ticket revenue at PBA events goes to the host venue rather than the association itself, Edison said the prospect of bowling without fans in attendance isn’t a significant financial setback. The PBA is aiming to bolster the quality of its televised product to boost the value of its media rights, the sport’s primary source of revenue.

The PBA Strike Derby will be open for mobile sports betting for the first time through Fox Bet Sportsbook in Colorado, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

While the sport will return in the midst of an ongoing public health crisis, Edison said the bowlers haven’t expressed any reservations about returning to the lanes.

“It has been the most enthusiastic response from these bowlers,” Edison said. “These are athletes who have really been sidelined from bringing in revenue for their families. This is how they earn their living and so when we postponed our tour, these guys have been anxious to get back out on the lanes since day one. I think that they also trust that the PBA is going to do it safely.”

The PBA Strike Derby will unfold in a similar manner to Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby. After an opening two-minute round to determine seeds, the eight bowlers will be placed in an elimination bracket. The last bowler standing will be named champion.

Fox Business LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185971 World Leagues News Andrea, like her dad, has managed to leave Cooperstown with a few Hall of Fame stories of her own. One year while she was walking Main Street, donning a Boston Red Sox hat, longtime Yankees reliever and Hall of What Cooperstown's National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is Famer Goose Gossage heckled her over it. "Hey, kid, what's that 'B' doing amid the coronavirus shutdown stand for?"

For Chris Hathaway, Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is a chance for him and his friends to reconnect every summer. Hathaway, a Connecticut Katherine Acquavella native, played baseball growing up and made several weekend trips to Yankee Stadium for games. Jun 6, 2020 at 11:46 am ET Hathaway was familiar with Cooperstown and the Hall, having played in a

tournament at Cooperstown Dreams Park while on a travel team, and One trip to the small village of Cooperstown, New York is all it takes. again on a trip with his high school travel baseball team, where they got Visitors are immediately drawn in by the town's charm and a reminder of to play a game on Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. Still, he says his simpler times. Cooperstown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame appreciation for the sport and its history is a lot deeper now that he's and Museum, welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every summer, all older. leading up to the annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend at the end of "This [2020] was going to be my seventh year in a row," Hathaway said. July. "Myself and one of my good friends from college, started organizing this Cooperstown is synonymous with baseball, and while some may venture trip back in 2014. We were like, 'Let's just start going to the Hall of Fame there for a lakeside escape, the Hall of Fame draws in the big crowds every year for the Induction. One, because we love baseball, and two, it's every summer, especially with the youth baseball tournaments held all a good way to stay connected and do something fun." summer long at the nearby Cooperstown Dreams Park and Cooperstown Hathaway and his group of friends, who recently became Hall of Fame All Star Village facilities. members, pitch a tent at a campsite in Cooperstown just outside of town This year, however, the Baseball Hall of Fame was forced to cancel the and spend the majority of their stay on Main Street. Hathaway already entirety of its Induction Weekend plans for health and safety concerns rolled over this year's campsite booking to next year, to ensure they'd associated with the coronavirus pandemic. On a normal calendar year, have a spot to see Jeter -- one of their all-time favorite Yankees -- get his the Hall of Fame shuts its doors to the public just for three days: moment on the big stage in Cooperstown. Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Hall of Fame has "We're in again next year, we're planning on doing this for pretty much, been closed since March 15. This will be the first summer in 59 years forever," Hathaway said. Cooperstown won't have an induction ceremony. While Andrea, Ken and Chris are just a few among the many baseball For many, the Hall of Fame shutdown means they'll be missing out on fans who will be experiencing a void with the loss of Induction Weekend annual traditions, trips and memories. The Induction Weekend -- which next month, the Hall of Fame has responded with virtual offerings for fans was set to include Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons, and Larry of all ages to experience the magic of the Hall of Fame while home. The Walker in its 2020 HOF class -- keeps baseball fans connected to the Hall has made some of its exhibits, collections and artifacts available Hall of Fame and Cooperstown every summer. For one father-daughter online, as well as begun to offer online programs like Curator Spotlights, duo from Saratoga, N.Y., the Hall of Fame Induction weekend is where a museum curator will explore a baseball exhibit in depth and considered to be summer tradition of theirs. Ken Killian and his daughter, Voices of the Game, where a baseball personality speaks on a specific Andrea, have volunteered at Induction Weekend together since 2013. topic. Ken played baseball from youth up through college and spent time in For example, the Hall of Fame conducted a Curator Spotlight with Erik adult baseball leagues in his 30s, but his love for the game and its history Strohl, the Hall of Fame's Senior Vice President for Exhibitions and was amplified when he was accepted for a volunteer opportunity at the Collections, to discuss the museum's Taking the Field exhibit, which Hall of Fame two decades ago. focuses on amateur baseball and the evolution of pro ball and "I was living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the time and [the Hall of equipment. The exhibit features artifacts like the first catcher's mask and Fame] accepted me to be a volunteer," he said." And that was the year the oldest surviving baseball uniform in existence. Sparky Anderson, Carlton Fisk and Tony Perez were inducted -- 2000. It In a recent Voices of the Game program, the Hall of Fame featured Los was a pretty big year. And that was it, I was hooked." Angeles Dodgers Senior Vice President of Planning and Development, Ken returned to Cooperstown every summer after to volunteer at various Janet Marie Smith, who is best known in baseball for her work on Oriole events throughout the weekend. He was sometimes volunteering at Park at Camden Yards. In the video chat, she discusses her career and Cooperstown's famed Leatherstocking Golf Course for the Hall of Fame her impact on setting today's standard for baseball ballpark design. All of Weekend Golf Tournament or helping work crowd control at Clark Sports the programs are archived on the Hall of Fame's YouTube page for Center, home to the induction ceremony. viewing at any time.

"The Hall of Fame weekend for me, it's a magical time," Ken said. "The And to take things a step further, the Hall of Fame diehards who are induction is not just for the player(s), it's also for the fans who have desperate for their fix of baseball, can explore the Hall's exhibits virtually rooted for them for so long." via the Google Arts & Cultural phone app or desktop page. It can't replicate the same feeling as walking around the Hall's Hank Aaron Ken has racked up stories from his 20 years of volunteering, from exhibit in person, but it's the closest you can get to that right now. George Brett doubting his seven-iron recommendation on the golf course to getting to share with Tom Seaver that Ken named his son, Tom, after "Baseball is the heartbeat of our nation in so many ways, the heartbeat of him. Ken's son was born the day after the 2001 HOF Induction, which a summer especially, and while we were closed, it didn't really feel like worked out so that Ken was still able to make the drive up to the time to stay quiet," said Jon Shestakofsky, Vice President of Cooperstown to fulfill his volunteering duties just 24 hours before he Communications and Education for the Hall of Fame. "Now more than welcomed his son. ever became the time to continue to be a voice to share baseball history and share the stories of our game." In 2013, Andrea, who was 16 years old at the time, began to join her dad on the hour and a half drive to Cooperstown every July to volunteer. The Shestakofsky says that the Hall of Fame's digital initiative, namely called pair would leave the house Saturday of Induction Weekend around 4:30- Safe at Home, was put together to help those connect with baseball while 5:00 in the morning, stop for coffee and snacks and practice baseball staying safe at home during the COVID-19 quarantines. "We're just trivia during the drive to gear up for the baseball-filled weekend. proud to be a part of the baseball community and to be able to service the community during what's a difficult time for everyone," he said. "I think volunteering at Induction Weekend was, for a little girl who always really liked baseball growing up, it was a really cool way that I got to The Hall of Fame's education department is also offering virtual field trips participate," Andrea said. "This is a way that I can participate in this world and educational resources for parents and teachers to use while e- and be a part of this sport and its culture that I grew up loving so much." learning at home. Baseball specific lesson plans are available to help students learn math, science, social studies and the arts, for third grade all the way up to 12th grade. For the Hall of Fame's virtual field trips, it will include a virtual tour of the museum, and a one-hour long interactive discussion and/or activity with the students, on a selected topic.

"It's been a great way to connect with students and teachers," Shestakofsky said. Many of those students and teachers, who are on a typical schedule, had planned for trips to the Hall of Fame this year.

"The feedback has been terrific to hear from parents and from educators who really appreciate this opportunity to have their children and their students connect with education in a different way," he said. "To have it taught through baseball and give them that opportunity to learn while they're enjoying something about baseball."

A summer without baseball will be different. Even more so, a summer without baseball in Cooperstown. But baseball fans and players alike can take solace in knowing that the Hall of Fame isn't going anywhere and Induction Weekend will bring the tradition back to life again in Cooperstown soon.

As of June 6, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum remains closed to the public. Updated information regarding the Hall of Fame's closure will be provided at baseballhall.org and via the Hall of Fame's social media pages. The Hall of Fame Class of 2020 is scheduled to be inducted on Sunday, July 25, 2021 alongside any new members elected as part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

CBS Sports LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185972 World Leagues News who cannot take off two weeks from endurance training to quarantine at this time of year and usually use Lake Placid as their main training base.

“It’s devastating for us really, the tiny numbers,” Cobb said. He added Why Many Athletes Will Be Left Out When Olympic Training Centers that the athletes may have to shift to another training center in Vermont Reopen to make way for Olympians who are a higher priority for the U.S.O.P.C.

How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.?

By Matthew Futterman The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor June 6, 2020 Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest Nearly three months after it closed its training centers, the United States since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is preparing to reopen them under a But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 new set of safety guidelines that will severely limit who has access. million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. Those guidelines may also end up causing a handful of athletes who Will protests set off a second viral wave of coronavirus? have lived at the training centers for months to be evicted as the U.S.O.P.C. tries to create a safe training space for its most elite athletes Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of who are seeking a safe, bubblelike setting where they can live and train people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of while other facilities remain closed because of the pandemic. new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in Under the plan now nearing completion, capacity at the training centers, cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to which under normal circumstances can host hundreds of athletes who express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks live and eat in a dormitory-style environment, will initially be limited to as and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent few as 15 athletes. All of the athletes will have to be tested for the further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts coronavirus when they arrive, quarantine in their rooms for as long as 14 were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying days or until they test negative for the coronavirus, and commit to staying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. at the center except for the briefest trip to a pharmacy or grocery store. How do we start exercising again without hurting ourselves after months The U.S.O.P.C. will expand capacity through the summer if there are no of lockdown? disruptions or infections but for now the organization wants to proceed with the utmost of caution while trying not to lose competitive ground to Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of other countries as the Olympics approach. The Summer Games in Tokyo us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up were postponed one year, to begin July 23, 2021, and the Winter Games your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 in Beijing remain scheduled for February 2022. percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way “Our focus is going to be on the lead-up to Tokyo and Beijing and that will back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent result in a narrowing in the number of athletes and coaches” who have of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the access to the training center, said Rick Adams, the chief of sport chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in performance at the Olympic committee. Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When In limiting access, the organization is attempting to balance preparation you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some with avoiding the nightmare scenario of Covid-19 spreading through a muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, training center filled with athletes, many of whom are at varying stages in especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during their careers and often participate in less lucrative sports. In normal exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. times, they live at the training centers because expenses are low and My state is reopening. Is it safe to go out? they are often subsidized to some degree by the national governing body for their sport. More successful athletes who can afford not to live at the States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are training centers generally only visit for short stints. available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to But these are not normal times. During a phone call Thursday with states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local leaders of U.S.A. Bobsled and Skeleton, several athletes who reside at authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good the training center in Lake Placid, N.Y. were told they will learn in the idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. coming weeks whether they will be allowed to stay there into July. What’s the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface? Katie Uhlaender, a skeleton athlete who is trying to make her fifth Olympic team, has been living since March at the Lake Placid center, Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the where the training facilities are largely closed. She arrived to compete at germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A the national championships, which were canceled, and decided to stay number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have after production was halted on the reality television show she planned to shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can work on. She plans to apply for residency at the facility, but she is 35 spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day years old and 21st in the world rankings, though she remains the fourth care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to highest-ranked American. happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close “I am fighting to survive,” said Uhlaender, a two-time gold medalist in the human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not world championships. touching your face and wearing masks. Aron McGuire, chief executive of U.S.A. Bobsled and Skeleton, said in an What are the symptoms of coronavirus? email Thursday he would rely on the U.S.O.P.C.’s guidelines for who gets to stay at the training center. Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with Jim Leahy, the chief executive of U.S.A. Luge, said there are four lugers those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy currently living at the Lake Placid training center. sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle “We will submit a list, as the others will, too, and we will try to get as pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell many in as we can but some may not fit the criteria,” said Leahy, whose as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after organization and main training facility are based at the training center. exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. Max Cobb, the chief executive of U.S. Biathlon Association, said the new limits and safety guidelines presented a major challenge for his athletes, How can I protect myself while flying? If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)

How do I take my temperature?

Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.

Should I wear a mask?

The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.

How do I get tested?

If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.

Adams said the committee was trying to avoid evicting the roughly 15 athletes now living at the training center in Colorado Springs, which it hopes to reopen on June 22, but it remained unclear whether that would be possible if others with a better chance to perform well in Tokyo want to move in.

In addition to hosting athletes, the training centers are a significant source of revenue for the U.S.O.P.C. Not being able to fill them or use them to host development camps for rising athletes or guided tours is expected to cost the U.S.O.P.C. about $4 million this year.

Last month, the U.S.O.P.C. let go more than 100 employees as part of a plan to cope with the projected loss of some $200 million during the next five years.

New York Times LOADED: 06.07.2020 1185973 World Leagues News Quoting Iger, who had been the N.B.A.’s guest on a Board of Governors call that preceded the news conference, Silver summarized the position by saying the league’s return timetable would be dictated by “the data As N.B.A. Mulled Return, Financial Needs Emerged as Central and not the date.”

How encouraging the data in May was depends on who is making the evaluation. Many states have begun reopening after extended lockdowns By Marc Stein and Brooks Barnes and there has been a marked increase in testing, but nearly two million coronavirus cases, including more than 100,000 deaths, have been June 5, 2020 recorded in the United States. Florida’s Department of Health reported 1,419 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a state high, but only 48 of them in Orange County, Fla., where the N.B.A. is preparing to play at a During a May 8 conference call with numerous N.B.A. players, Adam tightly controlled single site. Silver dismissed the praise he had received in some corners for suspending the 2019-20 season before other major North American By the time he addressed the union’s membership on May 8, Silver told sports leagues and downplayed the notion that it was a bold mandate players that he was confident that the league would have little issue, both from the commissioner’s office. practically and from a public-relations perspective, obtaining the requisite test kits to administer daily testing in an N.B.A. bubble. Silver also told “I’m not proud of shutting down,” Silver told the players. “I would be proud them that he anticipated the N.B.A. being able to adopt the strategy of finding a path that was safe and as risk-free as possible for us to play. introduced in German soccer’s Bundesliga and quarantine individual I think that would be much more of an accomplishment than shutting players who contracted Covid-19 and play on — in stark contrast to Rudy down the league.” Gobert’s positive test on the day of Utah’s March 11 game at Oklahoma City that immediately shuttered the whole league and prompted Nearly a month later, Silver and the N.B.A. have committed to a path to numerous leagues to follow suit. putting the game back on hardwood amid evolving attitudes about the risk of the virus nationwide. It materialized in large part through Silver’s In his question-and-answer session with the union, Silver stressed that strong relationship with the Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul, the the league’s goal, from the minute play was halted, was to come back as president of the players’ union, and their shared close ties to Robert A. quickly as safely possible to try to bring the season to a legitimate Iger, the executive chairman of Disney, which Silver described on that conclusion. Yet in a Thursday night interview with Turner’s “Inside The same conference call as the N.B.A.’s “largest partner.” N.B.A.,” Silver also conceded that, in the league’s quest for the best competitive conclusion it could muster, it was “choosing among multiple Yet just how safe and close to risk-free the return will actually be, when bad alternatives given the pandemic that we’re dealing with.” 22 of the league’s 30 teams convene next month at Walt Disney World near Orlando to live and play out the rest of the season, is likely to be In front offices across the N.B.A., as well as within the player ranks, there determined only once this first-of-its-kind reboot is operational. The is little mystery behind the pressures the league is facing. This has been N.B.A. has said it is working with infectious disease specialists, public a catastrophic season for the league financially, starting with a tweet by health experts and government officials to establish safety guidelines to Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey in October in support of minimize the chances that the coronavirus can infiltrate its “campus,” but pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong that did in “the hundreds of negotiations with the National Basketball Players Association are millions of dollars” in damage to the N.B.A.’s business relationships in ongoing about the depths of the restrictions that will be implemented, China, according to Silver’s estimate in February. On his conference call which will not be publicly revealed until next week at the earliest. with players, Silver said that 40 percent of the league’s annual revenue comes from ticket purchases and other in-arena fan expenditures, which “It’s a start and a good plan,” Robert Sarver, the owner of the Phoenix means that an even more lucrative revenue stream than the one Suns, said via text message after his team, six games out of a playoff damaged in China is unavailable indefinitely. spot when they last played, was chosen for the restart as the last of 22 invitees. Getting games back on television thus seems to have much more to do with mitigating financial losses, and players’ lost wages, than ensuring “But there are a lot of variables — many of which we don’t control,” that the N.B.A., for the 74th successive season, crowns a champion. Sarver added. How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.? “Lots,” said Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, echoing Sarver. The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s There was likewise no Disney FastPass that put the N.B.A. on its Florida job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. course. The league’s hiatus will reach the three-month mark next week. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much As the N.B.A. faces what The Athletic recently estimated as a revenue as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest loss approaching $1 billion if it fails to provide playoff games to its since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. primary television partners, Disney and Turner Sports, concern is But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 naturally mounting as with so many wounded businesses. million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. Officials from several clubs, who spoke on condition of anonymity Will protests set off a second viral wave of coronavirus? because the league has discouraged public discourse about its finances, did not dispute the notion in interviews this week that monetary Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of motivations are largely behind the comeback. people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and With no clear guidance from health experts about how far away states public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in are from conditions that can approach pre-coronavirus levels of safety for cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to sports leagues, and the knowledge that the N.B.A. might be forced to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks start next season with fans still barred from entry, many around the and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent league regard it as financially unfeasible to simply cancel the rest of the further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts season and start preparing for 2020-21. were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying The vibe has certainly changed since the early days of the March 11 the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. shutdown. In Silver’s lone news conference since pressing pause on the How do we start exercising again without hurting ourselves after months season, conducted April 17, he identified a number of prerequisites of lockdown? before play could resume. Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of “We’re looking for the number of new infections to come down,” Silver us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up said. “We’re looking for the availability of testing on a large scale. We’re your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 looking at the path that we’re on for potentially a vaccine. We’re looking percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than at antivirals. On top of that, we’re paying close attention to what the they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way C.D.C. is telling us on a federal level and what these various state rules back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent are that are in place.” of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in exposing others. Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some How do I get tested? muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be My state is reopening. Is it safe to go out? tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are get tested. available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to Yet it’s also true that Iger, on top of the many years of collaboration states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local between Silver and Paul, has been an aggressive facilitator for both his authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good sports network, ESPN, and an expansive theme park that had to beat out idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. a worthy bid from the casino company MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas. What’s the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface? In a pre-coronavirus world, Iger was scheduled to attend the April 17 Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the owners meeting in person, as Silver’s special guest to talk about germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A leadership and his business memoir, “The Ride of a Lifetime.” He ended number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have up participating in the call via Zoom and, according to multiple listeners, shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can made it clear how bullish he was on the N.B.A.’s future despite the spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day difficult circumstances and the daunting nature of rebooting. care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect As the league intensified its negotiations to use the ESPN Wide World of yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close Sports Complex in Florida as its home base, Iger spoke with Silver and human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not Paul “daily” according to one person with knowledge of the talks, who touching your face and wearing masks. was not authorized to discuss them publicly. Iger declined an interview request and a Disney spokeswoman declined to comment. What are the symptoms of coronavirus? The business lure for Disney is also no mystery. The trend of consumers Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty cutting the cord on cable has weakened ESPN in recent years, but the breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with ubiquitous sports channel remains a crucial engine for Disney. The those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy company’s cable television business generated $5.2 billion in operating sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle profit last year, a 4 percent increase. The problem: The coronavirus pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell pandemic has left ESPN without live sports to broadcast, costing Disney as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising sales and threatening to exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many speed up cord-cutting, as American households continue to get charged as 14 days. for a channel that, for months now, has been reduced to documentaries and reruns of historic games. Michael Nathanson, a media analyst, How can I protect myself while flying? recently estimated that ESPN would lose $481 million in ad revenue if the If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect N.B.A. did not complete its regular season and playoffs. yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your Disney World itself will also benefit if the N.B.A. can overcome its face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University remaining hurdles and, as Cuban, the Mavericks’ owner, described, instill found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a “sustained confidence” that the incoming 350 players “only have to worry window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with about playing basketball when they get there.” At a minimum, analysts potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your said, the N.B.A. will spend tens of millions of dollars at the resort in seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard facility fees, hotels and dining. The league’s presence at Disney may also surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the offer an invaluable marketing message to families contemplating remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard vacations: This place is safe to visit again. and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and Silver can only hope his league has that effect. He has been criticized for spreading of germs rather than killing them.) his reluctance to address the news media during the shutdown, beyond interviews with league partners, leading up to a briefing he has How do I take my temperature? scheduled next week to discuss the safety protocols. Yet such scrutiny is Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it nothing to fret about compared with potential calamities given an sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep unpredictable, easily spread virus in a contact sport that plays its games an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If indoors. you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are The praise Silver alluded to on the player conference call was a other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 byproduct of the N.B.A.’s leadership position among sports leagues in complications. pressing the pause button and letting the world know how serious the Should I wear a mask? Covid-19 outbreak was. Chances are that even more will be expected from the N.B.A. in terms of leading the way in its return to play. The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new Brooks Barnes reported from Los Angeles. concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and New York Times LOADED: 06.07.2020 coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get 1185974 World Leagues News As testing ramps up on Big Ten campuses, the task force will see the how the virus spreads, how many athletes are asymptomatic and how that informs their best practices.

Big Ten task force focused on mitigating athletes' COVID-19 risk Kratochvil said the task force isn’t mandating one kind of testing procedure, because access and reliability of tests varies across the conference’s 11-state region. Testing methodology and models is the Colten Bartholomew | Wisconsin focus of the task force’s meeting on Monday.

State Journal Jun 5, 2020 The task force is still developing its playbook for when practices begin sometime in the late summer, pulling in information from the Centers for

Disease Control, the International Olympic Committee, and professional Jake Ferguson makes a catch over the middle of the field for a first down sports leagues. But in the case of contact sports such as football, there’s and gets tackled. only so much they can do to lessen risk.

The University of Wisconsin tight end tosses the ball to an official, who “(Contact sports are) going to be where the most significant challenges in instead of placing the ball down on its new spot, throws it to the Badgers’ managing spread of coronavirus are,” he said. sideline to be sanitized as a new, clean ball comes back into the game. Many Big Ten campuses, including UW, are expecting to have students That’s a scenario that could play out this fall as the NCAA, Big Ten on site for the fall semester, one that will blend in-person and distance- Conference and sport as a whole try to conduct a season in the era of learning classes. While the task force hasn’t specifically addressed COVID-19. classroom scenarios for athletes, Kratochvil believes campus protocols will apply to them. Those will likely include what happens if a student- Dr. Christopher Kratochvil chairs the Big Ten’s task force for emerging athlete tests positive for COVID-19. infectious diseases, which was formed in early March and features a representative from each of the 14 universities in the conference. It is Risks accompany each decision made as the world continues work to putting together a playbook of best practices for conference schools. contain COVID-19, and college football will have to deal with them as the These aren’t formal directives, but provide programs guidance on how to season nears. But Kratochvil says each step taken to lessen players, deal with the pandemic when practices and competitions begin. coaches, and others’ risk of exposure will help.

“Many of us (on the task force) do serve on different committees at our “The way many of us approach this is like a slice of Swiss cheese has a own universities, so we’re actively engaged in those discussions, but lot of holes in it, but the more slices you put on top of each other, the what happens is by pulling in this information, we can then help inform all more apt you are to cover the holes,” he said. “You could do things like those discussions across the Big Ten,” Kratochvil said. frequently wiping down the ball, you could do things like frequently using hand sanitizer during the game. Each of those kind of variables you Kratochvil is associate vice chancellor for clinical research and professor impact, you mitigate the risk.” of psychiatry and pediatrics at Nebraska, as well as the executive director of the Global Center for Health Security. Throughout a conversation Friday afternoon, Kratochvil said as knowledge is gained Wisconsin State Journal LOADED: 06.07.2020 regarding the nature of COVID-19, decision-makers around the Big Ten have stayed flexible and open to new information.

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“Everyone is very open to sharing internal conversations, internal policies and procedures,” he said. “It’s really an opportunity to discuss what data is available and how that might inform decision-making. That flexibility and the acknowledgement that this in an area of process is incredibly important because clearly the status of the outbreak continues to evolve.”

A number of Big Ten universities are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, whether it be their research arms developing tests and studying medication, or their hospitals caring for coronavirus patients and using that data to help inform future treatments.

Kratochvil says the conference task force is a chance to aggregate data in each of these areas to make informed, joint decisions down the road.

The NCAA permitted football and basketball athletes to return to their campuses on June 1 if their campuses were in a position to allow it. UW football players are welcome back on campus Monday. Nebraska football players returned to campus on June 1, while Illinois (June 3), Iowa (Monday), Ohio State (Monday) and Indiana (June 15) have also given their players a return date.

The return to campus — especially when players get together in groups — marks an important time of testing and mitigating risks of spreading COVID-19. Pro Football Talk reported Thursday that after about 50 Alabama players worked out together off-campus, at least five have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Big Ten’s task force is looking into that case, as well as what happened aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a Navy aircraft carrier that was out of commission for nearly two months due to a coronavirus outbreak.

“There we saw how easily COVID-19 could spread throughout this group of individuals, many of whom were quite young and healthy, not dissimilar to the student-athletes we’re working with,” Kratochvil said.