News

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to announce the signing of all-star centre Eric Staal to a long-term contract.The Hurricanes called an afternoon news conference Thursday to make a “major player announcement.

Results Wednesday:QMJHLRegular season begins Thursday.OHLPre-seasonBelleville 7 Kingston 5Brampton 1 Owen Sound 1WHLPre-seasonNo Games Scheduled.

Movements in the world of hockey Wednesday:American Hockey LeagueSPRINGFIELD FALCONS-Named Isaac Aycox account executive.ECHLPHOENIX ROADRUNNERS-Agreed to terms with D Rob Dmytruk and D T.

PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby delivered for the Pittsburgh Penguins-again.This time, he did it off the ice. Crosby, coach Michel Therrien and eight other players hand carried season tickets to 35 randomly selected Penguins ticket holders on Wednesday.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes have decided that black is the new black.The NHL team unveiled a new third jersey on Wednesday that features the team’s secondary storm warning logo attached to a hockey stick and laid over a triangle, a tribute to the team’s home in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.

Results Tuesday:QMJHLRegular season begins Thursday.OHLPre-seasonNo games scheduled.WHLPre-seasonMedicine Hat 4 Prince Albert 0At Leduc, Alta.

Movements in the world of hockey Tuesday:National Hockey LeagueDETROIT RED WINGS-Re-signed D Chris Chelios to a one-year contract and D Kyle Quincey to a two-year contract.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Eric Staal had a pretty tame summer for a change.There were no weddings for the Carolina Hurricanes’ all-star centre. No video-game cover shoots or rowdy bachelor parties, either.

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to fill out their coaching staff.The NHL team announced Tuesday that it hired Corey Hirsch as its goaltending coach and Graeme Townshend as skating coach.

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers have made Keith Ballard a cornerstone of their blue-line for years to come.The 25-year-old defenceman signed a six-year extension on Tuesday that will keep him under contract with the Panthers until 2014-15.

The off-season can’t come to an end soon enough for Brad Boyes.He’s been skating with some of his St. Louis Blues teammates since late August and is now counting down the days until another season begins.

DETROIT – Chris Chelios thinks he has at least one more season left in his 46-year-old legs.The veteran defenceman signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and is prepared to accept a lesser role with the defending Stanley Cup champions.

CALGARY – The Canadian women’s hockey team opens its 2008-09 season in the rare position of not holding a world championship title.Forty-one players have been invited to five-day camp in Calgary starting Sept.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – With more goals than minutes in the game, Slovakia’s women’s ice hockey team claimed an amazing 82-0 victory over Bulgaria in Olympic qualifying.

Movements in the world of hockey Monday:National Hockey LeagueST. LOUIS BLUES-Named Rob DiMaio professional scout.American Hockey LeagueMILWAUKEE ADMIRALS-Promoted Brian Martens to senior account executive.

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A federal judge Monday rejected a plea deal that had called for Broadcom Corp. co-founder and Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli to get probation rather than prison for his role in a stock options backdating case that led to the largest corporate writedown of its kind.

Whether Rod Brind’Amour’s season ends in June, April or February, one thing always remains constant – he starts training for the next one as soon as he can.

ZURICH, Switzerland – The dispute between the NHL and a newly formed Russian hockey league over forward Alexander Radulov appears headed for court.

Kontenintal Hockey League president Alexander Medvedev has extended an “open hand” to the NHL, but judging by its reaction to the latest development in the Alexander Radulov affair, Medvedev shouldn’t be surprised if that hand comes back with bite marks in it.

Results Friday:Alberta Junior Hockey League Fort McMurray 4 Canmore 2Grande Prairie 4 Bonnyville 3Spruce Grove 8 Drayton Valley 2Olds 7 St. Albert 2British Columbia Hockey League Penticton 4 Westside 3Powell River 11 Burnaby 4Surrey 3 Langley 1Vernon 4 Salmon Arm 1Victoria 6 Nanaimo 4Ontario Jr.