News

OTTAWA – Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee have been promoted by the Ottawa Senators.The NHL club named Dorion director of player personnel Wednesday while Lee was bumped up to director of hockey administration and player development

CALGARY – An NHL coach can only ever dream of assembling a top line with as much star power as the Canadian Olympic team.Consider that Mike Babcock had Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla and Rick Nash skating together during the first two days of practice at Olympic orientation camp

Movements in the world of hockey Tuesday:National Hockey LeagueCOLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS-Reached affiliation agreements with Syracuse (AHL) and Gwinnett (ECHL)

CALGARY – A groin injury has forced Simon Gagne to make an early exit from Team Canada’s orientation camp. The Philadelphia Flyers forward left camp Tuesday after sustaining a mild strain to his right groin during Monday’s practice

PHOENIX – The NHL has filed a bid in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes and keep the team in Arizona.Deputy NHL commissioner Bill Daly said in a news release Tuesday that the league took the action “to maximize the likelihood that the club ultimately will be sold to an acceptable purchaser who is committed to operating the franchise in Glendale

TORONTO – The NHL’s director of officiating has decided to return to the ice.Stephen Walkom will attend the NHL officials training camp both as an administrator and as a referee candidate for the upcoming season, according to NHL

EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers have named Wayne Fleming an assistant coach.Fleming was head coach of Avangard Omsk in the Continental Hockey League last season after serving three seasons as an assistant with Calgary

CALGARY – Canada’s Olympic hockey hopefuls are back on the ice at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

The 40-plus players participating in Team Canada’s orientation camp this week have been divided into two groups and are practising separately

According to Canadian sports network TSN, Stephen Walkom will leave his post as the NHL’s director of officiating to make a comeback as a referee

Movements in the world of hockey Monday:ECHLJOHNSTOWN CHIEFS-Re-signed F Sean Berkstresser.KALAMAZOO WINGS-Agreed to terms with F Sean O’Conner, F Erik Johnson and D Matt Krug

PHOENIX – Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie has submitted an amended proposed agreement to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes for US$212.5 million and immediately move them to Hamilton, with or without the NHL’s consent

CALGARY – Jason Spezza says he’ll feel comfortable if estranged teammate Dany Heatley shows up at Ottawa Senators training camp next month.Heatley asked the Senators in May to trade him and Ottawa has yet to make a deal

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens won’t be hitting the ice at Olympic Stadium this year.The team quashed rampant rumours today that it was planning a regular-season match that likely would have drawn more than 50,000 fans into the noisy, concrete behemoth

CALGARY – Canada’s top hockey players have started converging on Calgary.Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith was the first player off a plane Monday as Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp kicked off

Steve Yzerman has already seen the benefits of a productive Olympic orientation camp.He participated in the first one Canada ever held just months before the country ended a 50-year gold-medal drought at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City

MONTREAL – The small arena where Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo first strapped on his goalie pads now bears his name.The Canucks’ team captain was on hand Saturday in the east-end Montreal borough of St-Leonard for the inauguration ceremony and to sign autographs for hundreds of fans who lined up to meet the goaltender

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:

 

National Hockey League

NASHVILLE PREDATORS-Signed F Marcel Goc to a one-year contract.

TORONTO – Eugene Melnyk says he was the victim of a Jim Balsillie “cheap shot.”In an interview with the Toronto all-sports radio station The Fan 590, the Ottawa Senators owner said Friday he was surprised to learn earlier this week that Balsillie had called his integrity into question in recent court filings related to the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy case

KELOWNA, B.C. – Dany Heatley says he wants the Ottawa Senators to trade him because he’s no longer happy with his role on the team.Heatley finally broke his silence on a request he made in the spring to be traded

Movements in the world of hockey Thursday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Re-signed D Brett Festerling to a two-year contract.BUFFALO SABRES-Signed LW Jeff Cowan to a one-year contract