Judge acquits former junior hockey players in sexual assault case that rattled nation
LONDON, Ontario — An Ontario judge acquitted five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team Thursday in their sexual assault case, saying the complainant’s allegations lacked the credibility needed to justify the charges. Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia said prosecutors could not meet the onus of proof for the...
Winnipeg Jets sign forward Gabriel Vilardi to 6-year, $45 million extension
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Winnipeg Jets locked up forward Gabriel Vilardi on Friday, signing the forward to a six-year extension worth $45 million. Vilardi became a restricted free agent July 1 after completing a two-year, $6.88 million deal. He had career highs in 2024-25 with 27 goals, 34 assists, 61...
Maple Leafs trade enforcer Ryan Reaves to Sharks
TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs traded rugged forward Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday for defenseman Henry Thrun. The 38-year-old Reaves had two assists and 28 penalty minutes in 35 games last season. He also had an assist in three games in the American Hockey League....
Back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson retires
Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement after playing 13 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Johnson called it a career in a lengthy message posted on social media Monday. Johnson had battled injuries in recent years and is set to turn 35 on...
Defenseman Cam York, Flyers agree to 5-year deal worth $25.75M
Cam York and the Philadelphia Flyers agreed to terms Monday on a five-year contract worth $25.75 million, with re-signing the restricted free-agent defenseman completing perhaps the team’s last important piece of offseason business. York, 25, will count $5.15 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season. That price...
Nikolaj Ehlers remains unsigned midway through Day 2 of NHL free agency
Nikolaj Ehlers remained unsigned 30 hours into NHL free agency, as the top player available weighed his options Wednesday and suitors awaited his decision that could be one of the final big moves of the offseason. Ehlers was already a rarity as a sought-after free agent who let the opening...
NHL, NHLPA, IOC and IIHF finalize agreement for players to participate in 2026 Olympics
ZURICH (AP) — The NHL, NHLPA and international officials on Wednesday finalized a long-ago agreed-to deal to send players to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The league, union, International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee confirmed the participation of NHL players at the games for the first time since 2014....
Red Wings legend, Hockey Hall of Famer Alex Delvecchio dies at 93
DETROIT — Alex Delvecchio, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who helped the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup three times in the 1950s, has died. He was 93. Delvecchio died at his home in Rochester, Mich., according to a Red Wings spokesperson. A cause of death...
Stars hire Oilers assistant Glen Gulutzan as coach, his 2nd stint with Dallas
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Stars hired Glen Gulutzan as their head coach 12 years after he was fired from his first stint with them by the general manager who is still there. GM Jim Nill, who in 2013 had been with the Stars for only two weeks when he...
Canucks re-sign Boeser, Rangers land Gavrikov and Devils keep goalie Allen as NHL free agency opens
Brock Boeser stayed put in Vancouver. The New York Rangers retooled their blue line by landing free agency’s top defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and trading K’Andre Miller to Carolina. And Nikolaj Ehlers is taking his time before determining his future. The frenzy of multiple signings when NHL free agency opened Tuesday...
Golden Knights get Mitch Marner in deal with Maple Leafs, give him 8-year, $96M contract
LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with Toronto on Monday, giving him an eight-year, $96 million contract, according to multiple reports. Marner, 28, will count $12 million against the salary cap through the 2032-33 season. He is coming off setting career highs with...
NHL free agency roundup: Champion Panthers re-sign Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad
The Florida Panthers completed another hat trick Monday less than two weeks since repeating as Stanley Cup champions. After Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett said they never wanted to leave South Florida, they got their wish. Days after locking up Bennett long term, the Panthers agreed to re-sign...
Claude Giroux re-signs with Senators; Blue Jackets lock up Dante Fabbro to 4-year, $16.5M contract
Veteran Senators forward Claude Giroux is staying put in Ottawa for one more season, and Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro has a new four-year contract that keeps him in Columbus. The Senators announced re-signing the 37-year-old Giroux to a one-year, $2 million contract that features an additional $2.75 million in...
Salary cap jump fuels unpredictable market as NHL free agency approaches
NHL teams have a whole lot of money to spend in free agency with the salary cap getting the biggest increase in its existence, and a bunch of players will cash in when the clock strikes noon Tuesday. The cap is jumping $7.5 million from $88 million to $95.5 million,...
Lightning place former Penguins forward Conor Sheary on waivers to terminate contract
The Tampa Bay Lightning placed former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Conor Sheary on unconditional waivers on Sunday for the purpose to terminate his contract. The 10-year veteran was limited to just five games with the Lightning and spent a majority of last season in the minors because of the team’s salary...
Simon Wang becomes highest-drafted player born in China, going 33rd to Sharks in NHL draft
LOS ANGELES — Simon Wang was proud to become the highest-drafted player born in China when the San Jose Sharks selected him Saturday with the first pick of the second round of the NHL Draft. The big defenseman is also confident he won’t hold that distinction for long. “It’s an...
Red Wings acquire Whitehall native, veteran goalie John Gibson from Ducks
The Detroit Red Wings acquired John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, a trade of the veteran goaltender that could start the dominoes falling around the NHL with several teams looking for help in net. Detroit sent backup goalie Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder...
New York Islanders choose Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer with No. 1 pick in NHL draft
LOS ANGELES — The New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft on Friday night. High-scoring forward Michael Misa went second overall to the San Jose Sharks, and the Chicago Blackhawks took Swedish forward Anton Frondell third at Peacock Theater in downtown...
Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. — Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers’ latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. “Eight more years! Eight more years!” they chanted, over and over. They got their wish....
Trail Blazers see 7-1 Chinese center Yang Hansen as unique, versatile talent
PORTLAND, Ore. — Yang Hansen is going to fit into American culture just fine. The Trail Blazers’ 7-foot-1 Chinese center was introduced to Portland on Friday and was asked about his interests. Turns out, he’s already a gamer. “Sometimes I sleep. All the time, sleep. I like to play PS5....
Maple Leafs re-sign John Tavares for 4 years and the Oilers keep Trent Frederic around long term
John Tavares is staying with the Toronto Maple Leafs for four more years at a significantly discounted price. Tavares re-signed Friday for $17.55 million, and he will count $4.39 million against the salary cap through the 2028-29 season on a very team-friendly contract. He was making $11 million annually on...
NHL, players agree to CBA extension with 84-game season, playoff salary cap
An 84-game season is coming to the NHL as part of an extension of the collective bargaining agreement that has been tentatively agreed to by the league and the Players’ Association. They announced a memorandum of understanding Friday in Los Angeles before the first round of the draft. It still...
Tim Benz: Daniel Mantenuto becomes 1st RMU men’s hockey Olympian with Team Italy selection
Daniel Mantenuto’s senior year of college hockey at Robert Morris University didn’t conclude in a conventional way. It didn’t culminate with him holding a championship trophy above his head or in a solemn handshake line after a bitter playoff defeat. No, his NCAA career ended at a pregame meal in...
First Call: James Harrison’s revealing quotes about Mike Tomlin; a T.J. Watt contract update; potential NHL CBA details
Friday’s “First Call” has an interesting assessment of Mike Tomlin’s coaching style from former Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison. There’s a new slant on T.J. Watt’s contract situation. We have a preview of the upcoming Pirates-Mets series. And some details are leaking out about what could be in the next NHL...
NHL and NHLPA are close to agreeing on a new CBA that includes an 84-game season, AP sources say
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association are on the verge of extending the collective bargaining agreement more than a year before it expires and expanding the regular season to 84 games. The league and union have been in talks since April and are closing in on a memorandum of understanding...
