National Hockey League
FILE - Former Chicago Blackhawks player Fred Sasakamoose is honored at the Edmonton Oilers-Chicago Blackhawks NHL hockey game Dec. 29, 2017, in Edmonton, Alberta. Sasakamoose is recognized as becoming the league's first Canadian aboriginal player in 1953, and he turned into a First Nations hero. But historians and the Hall of Fame would give that distinction to Mohawk player Paul Jacobs if he played in a game during the 1918-19 season. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers 12/29/2017

Dec. 06, 2022 12:34 PM EST

FILE - Hockey Hall of Famer Willie O'Ree, left, waves to the crowd before dropping the ceremonial puck before an NHL hockey game between the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers in Boston, Jan. 4, 2020. The first elite Indigenous hockey players played well before Willie O’Ree became the first Black player to skate in an NHL game in January 1958. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Hockey's history shows handful of non-white pioneers

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 06, 2022 12:33 PM EST

FILE- Canada's Sidney Crosby hoists the trophy following his team's victory over Europe in the finals of the World Cup of Hockey finals on Sept. 29, 2016, in Toronto. he NHL and NHL Players’ Association have abandoned plans to hold a World Cup of Hockey in 2024, according to a a joint statement Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, calling it not feasible to hold the tournament as they had hoped in February of 2024. The league and union say they hope to stage it in February 2025 and will continue to plan for that. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Russia-Ukraine war derails World Cup of Hockey plans for '24

By Stephen Whyno Nov. 11, 2022 03:27 PM EST

FILE - The Calgary Flames introduce Mike Keenan as the team's new head coach at a news conference in Calgary, Canada, June 14, 2007. Keenan was named coach of Italy’s men’s national ice hockey team on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, giving the Stanley Cup winner a chance to guide the host country at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press via AP, File)
Mike Keenan to coach host Italy in hockey at 2026 Olympics

Oct. 14, 2022 04:44 PM EDT

Seattle Kraken's Matty Beniers (10) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey preseason game Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Not rushing top prospects to NHL is becoming a popular path

By Stephen Whyno Oct. 09, 2022 02:42 PM EDT

Today in Sports History: Expos to Move to Washington D.C.

By The Associated Press Sep. 28, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
Sept. 29 1923 — Gene Sarazen beats Walter Hagen 1 up to capture the PGA championship. 1941 — Joe Louis knocks out Lou Nova in the sixth...

Sportlight: Week Ahead, Sept. 23-30

By The Associated Press Sep. 22, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
Sept. 27 1894 — Aqueduct Race Track opens its doors. The building is torn down in 1955 and the new Aqueduct reopens on Sept. 14, 1959. ...

NHL, players remain committed to hosting Feb. 2024 World Cup

By Stephen Whyno Sep. 16, 2022 02:11 AM EDT
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The NHL and players remain committed to hosting a World Cup of Hockey in February 2024 even as they work through some unexpected logistical...

Slovak defenseman Andrej Sekera, 36, announces retirement

Jul. 19, 2022 05:18 PM EDT
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Andrej Sekera announced his retirement on Tuesday after almost two decades in the NHL. The Slovak defenseman played the past 15...

FILE - Edmonton Oilers defenseman Duncan Keith plays against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of an NHL hockey game Nov. 9, 2021, in Detroit. Keith is retiring after 17 seasons in the NHL, three Stanley Cups and two Norris Trophy awards as the league’s top defenseman. He spent most of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks and joined Edmonton last season. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Edmonton Oilers at Detroit Red Wings 11/9/2021

Jul. 12, 2022 07:32 PM EDT

FILE - Edmonton Oilers defenseman Duncan Keith plays against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of an NHL hockey game Nov. 9, 2021, in Detroit. Keith is retiring after 17 seasons in the NHL, three Stanley Cups and two Norris Trophy awards as the league’s top defenseman. He spent most of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks and joined Edmonton last season. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Duncan Keith announces retirement after 17 NHL seasons

Jul. 12, 2022 06:52 PM EDT

FILE - Slovakia's Juraj Slafkovsky, center, is flanked by teammates Marek Hrivik, left, and Peter Cehlarik, right, after defeating Sweden in the men's bronze medal hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Beijing. Slovakia continues to make hockey history with what could be the next golden generation of talent. Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec were picked first and second in the NHL draft with Filip Pesar at No. 22 making it the first time three Slovak players went in the first round.(AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
Slafkovsky, Nemec lead new Slovak hockey golden generation

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 08, 2022 02:28 PM EDT

Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson speaks at the start of the NHL hockey draft in Montreal on Thursday, July 7, 2022. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canadiens take Juraj Slafkovsky with top pick in NHL draft

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 07, 2022 07:28 PM EDT

FILE - Slovakia's Juraj Slafkovsky scores an empty net goal against Sweden during the men's bronze medal hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Beijing. The new 3ICE 3-on-3 league debuted in mid-June with Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier, Grant Fuhr, Joe Mullen and Larry Murphy among the coaches. The International Ice Hockey Federation and IOC have discussed the possibility of bringing 3-on-3 to the Olympics for another medal event after the same happened with basketball at the Tokyo Games. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
3-on-3 hockey league launches, could be step toward Olympics

By Stephen Whyno Jun. 29, 2022 04:28 PM EDT

FILE - Daniel Sedin, right, and Henrik Sedin pose with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy after winning the award at the NHL Awards, Wednesday, June 20, 2018, in Las Vegas. Swedes Henrik and Daniel Sedin and Daniel Alfredsson have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Goaltender Roberto Luongo, Finnish women’s star Riikka Sallinen and builder Herb Carnegie were also selected Monday, June 27, 2022, to be inducted in November. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Swede Day: Alfredsson, Sedins elected to Hockey Hall of Fame

By Stephen Whyno Jun. 27, 2022 06:02 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jun. 09, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
June 14 1922 — Gene Sarazen edges Bobby Jones and John Black to win the U.S. Open tournament. 1934 — Max Baer stops Primo Carnera in 11th...

Canadians hire Poulin as player development consultant

Jun. 07, 2022 09:37 AM EDT
MONTREAL (AP) — Hockey great Marie-Philip Poulin has joined the Montreal Canadiens' front office as a player development consultant. The role with the...

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) celebrates with the bench after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning 5/12/2022

May. 30, 2022 02:24 AM EDT

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) and right wing T.J. Oshie (77) prepare to leave the ice after Game 6 in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs against the Florida Panthers, Friday, May 13, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals 5/13/2022

May. 30, 2022 02:24 AM EDT

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) skates back to the goal before play restarts during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Saturday, May 28, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers 5/28/2022

May. 30, 2022 02:24 AM EDT