McCreary and O’Halloran will work for gold-medal game

NHL referees Bill McCreary and Dan O’Halloran have been assigned to work Sunday’s Olympic gold-medal game between Canada and the United States. It will be the second Canada-USA gold-medal game for McCreary, who worked the 2002 title game in Salt Lake City. McCreary also worked the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. He is retiring from the NHL after this season.

NHL linesman Jean Morin, also of Canada, will work the game with Finland’s Stefan Fonselius. Two other NHL referees, Paul Devorski and Brad Watson, will work Saturday night’s bronze-medal game between Finland and Slovakia. The linesmen will be Petr Blumel of the Czech Republic and Yuri Oskirko of Russia.

Ryan Miller is named Olympic MVP

It is reported that Team USA goaltender Ryan Miller was named the MVP of the Olympic hockey tournament and was one of three Americans to make the tourney's All-Star team.

Miller, defenseman Brian Rafalski and forward Zach Parise were named to the team along with Canadian defenseman Shea Weber and forward Jonathan Toews and Slovakia forward Pavol Demitra, who led all scorers at the Games with 10 points. The All Star team of the Olympic tournament was named after the second period of the gold-medal game. Rafalski earned best defenseman honors and Toews was named best forward.

Pitkanen is suspended in quarterfinals

Joni Pitkanen of Finland was suspended for one game after receiving a game misconduct penalty for hitting Sweden's Patric Hornqvist in the head in the second period on Sunday night. "He's a key part on the power play and obviously on the breakouts he's such a good skater and mobile defenseman and sees the ice well," defenseman Sami Salo said. "Obviously it's a big loss but it opens up a spot for Janne Niskala."

Niskala has been acting as a seventh defenseman, the former Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner has been playing for Frolunda Gothenburg in the Swedish Elite League since 2008.

Lightning sign free agent Parrish

Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced the Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Mark Parrish to a one-year, two-way contract. Parrish has been assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
In 42 games with the Admirals this season, he has 12 goals and 25 points, tying him for second on the club in points and third in goals. He leads Norfolk in goals, points and plus/minus during the team's previous 26 games with nine goals, 20 points. A veteran of ten National Hockey League seasons, Parrish has appeared in 704 career NHL games with the Florida Panthers, Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, recording 216 goals and 169 assists in those games.

Parrish, who appeared in the 2002 NHL All-Star Game, was originally a third round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Parrish appeared in 44 NHL games last season with the Stars, recording eight goals and five assists. Parrish has appeared in 48 career AHL games with the Admirals, Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Beast of New Haven, scoring 15 goals and 29 points.

Red Wings' Holland appeared on NHL Live!

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland will be among the guests on NHL Live! on Tuesday, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Holland, who has been the Wings' GM since 1997, is also assisting Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Deb Placey and Billy Jaffe are retired defenseman Bret Hedican, Pierre McGuire of NBC and TSN and Kevin Allen of USA Today. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York City.

Phillies add veteran Guzman

Recently a club spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that the Phillies signed veteran outfielder Freddy Guzman to a Minor League contract, though his deal does not include an invitation to Spring Training. Guzman spent the 2009 season with the Triple-A affiliates of the Orioles, Mariners, Red Sox and Yankees, while also seeing action in 10 games for the Bronx Bombers. In 101 Minor League games last year, he batted .223 with a .272 on-base percentage, two homers.

Guzman has played parts of four big league seasons with the Padres, Rangers and Yankees, batting .211 with a .255 on-base percentage in 47 games. In six seasons in the Minor Leagues, he holds a .265 batting average and a .338 on-base percentage.
Hope Guzman is also a main center fielder when he puts on the phillies jersey.

Mariners agree to add Kotchman

The Mariners and first baseman Casey Kotchman have reached agreement on a one-year contract. Kotchman was acquired from the Red Sox on Jan. 7. Details of the agreement have not been announced, but it is believed that two sides split the difference and Kotchman will receive about $3.5 million in 2010.

Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez signed a four-year, $20.5 million contract extension on Jan. 8; right-handed relievers David Aardsma and Mark Lowe signed on Jan. 19 respectively; and, the following day, right-hander Felix Hernandez signed a five-year, $78 million contract extension and right-handed reliever Brandon League also reached an agreement. Fans look forward to seeing them playing for the team in the mariners jerseys.

Adam Graves will join NHL Live!

It is reported that former New York Rangers star Adam Graves will appear on Friday's edition of NHL Live! from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Deb Placey and E.J. Hradek are NBC hockey analyst Ed Olczyk, a former teammate of Graves, and retired defenseman Teppo Numminen.

Also on the show will be Joseph Bowser of EveryBODY Skates New Jersey, a group of disabled athletes who will make history this weekend by visiting all 54 rinks in the State of New Jersey in just 54 hours.

Taguchi comes back to Japan

So Taguchi, who was a member of two World Series championship teams, is coming back to Japan, likely to finish up his career where it began. After eight seasons in the big leagues, Taguchi has signed with the Orix Buffaloes. Taguchi debuted with Orix in 1992 and spent 10 seasons with the club before signing as a free agent with the Cardinals in 2002, becoming the first Japanese-born player in the team history. His home run off Mets closer Billy Wagner in the ninth inning of the 2006 National League Championship Series was a great moment in St. Louis' run to the World Series.

Taguchi joined the Phillies in 2008 and earned his second World Series ring. He appeared in six games with the Cubs last year after spending most of the season in the Minor Leagues. It seems that we will not see him playing in his mlb jersey for a long time.

Walker joins Nationals with one-year deal

The Nationals has signed Tyler Walker with a free-agent reliever to a one-year, $650,000 contract. Walker is expected to be part of the relief corps, which includes Brian Bruney, Matt Capps and Eddie Guardado. He is coming off one of his better seasons, going 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 32 games in the phillies jersey. The seven-year veteran has played with the Mets, Giants and Rays.

Originally drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Walker is good at pitching on back-to-back days, having done this 69 times in his career. In order to put Walker on the 40-man roster, the Nats designated Marco Estrada for assignment. Estrada appeared in four games this past season and gave up five runs in 7 1/3 innings.

Nationals sign Miguel Batista

The Nationals have signed right-hander Miguel Batista to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Batista could be both a starter and a reliever. Last year he served as a reliever for the Mariners, going 7-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 56 games.Known as a poet and novelist, Batista has played in the big leagues for 15 seasons, going a combined 95-108 with a 4.54 ERA for eight teams.

He also has a history with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, as they worked together when they were in the Diamondbacks. Rizzo was the team's scouting director, and Batista was a starter. They were with Arizona when the team won its only World Series in 2001. Let us put on nationals jerseys and support him.

Travis Zajac will appear on NHL Live

New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac will be among the guests on Thursday's edition of NHL Live! on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Deb Placey and E.J. Hradek are NHL television analyst Mike Milbury, CBC analyst and former NHL goaltender Glenn Healy, and San Jose Sharks TV broadcaster Drew Remenda. The Sharks host Chicago in a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference. Put on your nhl jerseys and support them!

Astros' Paul feels good after Haiti earthquake

Dieudone Paul, a left-handed pitcher in the Astros' system who was born in Haiti, was in the Dominican Republic with his family and was unharmed during the earthquake. Houston assistant general manager Ricky Bennett said coordinator of player development Allen Rowin contacted Paul on Thursday and was informed his family was unharmed. Paul was signed in June and posted a 1.65 ERA for the Dominican Summer League Astros last year. "He is lucky, obviously, because his family is safe and sound," Bennett said. "It was difficult to find out because of the lack of communication. But the staff located him and he talked with his family and he was fine."

Commissioner Bud Selig announced that MLB has pledged an immediate donation of $1 million to support earthquake relief. The donations are aiding victims by providing necessary supplies to assist with recovery efforts, including clean water and sanitation, medical supplies and temporary shelter. This piece of news will comfort Paul's fans and they will see him playing in his astros jersey sooner or lanter.

Yankees donate $500K to Haiti relief

It is announced that the Yankees donated $500,000 in support of rescue and relief efforts following the tragic earthquake in Haiti.The earthquake measured a 7.0 on the Richter scale and the International Red Cross says a third of Haiti's 9 million people may need emergency help.

"The catastrophic event has devastated an entire nation and will have far-reaching effects in the worldwide Haitian community," the Yankees said in a statement. "The Yankees hope their donation will inspire people throughout the United States to do everything they can to aid the people of Haiti in their time of need."

Rockies sign with Jay Payton

Rockies player development director Marc Gustafson announced that the Rockies signed Payton, who didn't play in the Majors in 2009, to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Gustafson also said the Rockies completed working on a Minor League deal with catcher Paul Lo Duca, a former All-Star who also didn't play in 2009.

Payton hit .309 with 33 home runs in the rockies jersey before signing with the Padres as a free agent. He last played for the Orioles in 2008, when he hit .243 with seven homers and 41 RBIs. Lo Duca played for manager Jim Tracy with the Dodgers. A .286 hitter in 11 seasons, Lo Duca hit .243 for the Nationals and Marlins in 2008.

NHL Live will announce players of the week

It is reported that the players of the week will be announced during Monday’s edition of NHL Live!, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio.

TSN broadcaster Bob McKenzie, Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney and Dallas Stars play-by-play man Ralph Strangis will be among the guests chatting with hosts Rob Simpson and Dave Maloney. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in Manhattan.

Lightning and Devils' game is postponed

It is reported that National Hockey League Game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, N. J. was postponed due to the failure of arena lights. Play was stopped when the bank of lights failed in the second period. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman postponed the remainder of play due to concerns for the safety of the players after consultation with the NHL Hockey Operations Department and the respective Clubs.

"We felt the teams could not continue playing," said Colin Campbell, the League’s Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "We tried for an hour and 52 minutes to restore power and appropriate lighting but were left with no alternative but to postpone further play for the evening." As the teams do not have future games scheduled against each other, a new date for the completion of the contest will be determined.

NHL donates $100,000 for Haiti relief

It is reported that on behalf of its member clubs, the National Hockey League donated $100,000 to UNICEF on Thursday in support of that organization's efforts to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

"The catastrophe in Haiti requires an urgent response from the National Hockey League family," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "The victims need food, water, temporary housing and basic medical supplies, and the emergency effort by UNICEF is helping to provide those critical commodities to communities in desperate need."

Goaltender Leclaire is injured during Thursday's game

Ottawa Senators goaltender Pascal Leclaire suffered an injury during Thursday's practice at Madison Square Garden, and the team has recalled Mike Brodeur from AHL to start Thursday's game against the New York Rangers. Brodeur (not Devils goalie Martin Brodeur) stopped 22 shots in the game against the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 19 in senators jersey.

The Calgary native has appeared in 19 games this season with Binghamton, posting a 6-6-1 record with two shutouts. He was hurt by a shot during Thursday's morning skate at MSG, but it was not known where he was injured.

Cubs sign Minors deal with Bryan Lahair

The Cubs have signed first baseman LaHair to a Minor League contract and he will be an invitees this spring. FOX Sports first reported that LaHair will compete for a spot on the Cubs' bench. The left-handed hitter has spent his entire career in the Seattle Mariners. Last year at Triple-A Tacoma, he batted .289 with 26 homers and 85 RBIs.

In 2008, LaHair appeared in 45 games with the Mariners and batted .250 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his mariners jersey. Micah Hoffpauir began the 2009 season on the Opening Day roster, but hit .239 in 105 games. The Cubs are expected to announce their non-roster invitees later this month.

Winn isn't aware Nats' interest about him

Some reports indicated that the Nationals have interest in signing free-agent outfielder Randy Winn. However, Winn said he has not heard anything about the Nationals having interest in him. Even a baseball source said he didn't see Winn coming to Washington because the Nationals are likely to be set with a starting outfield of Josh Willingham, Nyjer Morgan and Elijah Dukes, with Roger Bernadina and Justin Maxwell waiting. If Winn were to become a member of the Nationals, he would be considered a fourth outfielder. "Like I said, I've never even received a call from them," Winn said. "I don't believe my agent has either. Whether they do or don't has not been expressed to me."

Winn is a 12-year Major League veteran and has played the past four-plus seasons with the Giants. Winn hit .262 with two home runs and 51 RBIs in 149 games in 2009 in giants jersey.

Dodgers sign Ortiz and Restovich

The Dodgers announced that the club have signed free-agent pitcher Russ Ortiz and outfielder Michael Restovich to Minor League contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training. Ortiz has been released by Arizona from a $33 million contract and missed the 2008 season with Tommy John elbow reconstruction. He pitched for three organizations last year, going 3-6 with a 5.57 ERA in the Major Leagues with Houston in the astros jersey.

The 31-year-old Restovich has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors, most recently 2007 with Washington Nationals. He spent last year with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte.

Hurricanes' Eric Staal will be absent for a period

President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford announced that the club has agreed on forward Eric Staal (in hurricanes jersey) a leave of absence because of the death of his wife Tanya’s sister, Tamara Stephenson.

Stephenson, who was only 26, passed away in Thunder Bay on Tuesday after a long fight with cancer. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Tanya and Eric during this difficult time for their family," said Jim Rutherford.

Tigers' Laird brothers were arrested

According to Phoenix police, Tigers catcher Gerald Laird and his younger brother, Brandon were arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct last Wednesday in Phoenix. The two ballplayers, plus another man, were arrested after a Phoenix Suns game at U.S. Airways Arena. Gerald Laird was cited for assault, while Brandon was cited for disorderly conduct. Also arrested was Gregory Scott Collins on suspicion of assault after the Suns beat the Boston Celtics.

"While security guards were trying to arrest the suspect for disorderly conduct, the Laird brothers interfered and assaulted the security guards," Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill said. Brandon Laird is an infield prospect with the Yankees. He played for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League. It seems that Gerald Laird will take off his tigers jersey for a while because of this incident.

Rockies may sign Olivo

A report on Wednesday indicated that the Rockies were attempting to sign a deal with Olivo to be the primary backup. In December Iannetta signed a three-year extension with the team worth $8.3 million. Olivo hit .249 with 23 home runs and 65 RBIs in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals. He also has played parts of three seasons with the Padres and Marlins.

The Rockies' decision to add Olivo means the end of Yorvit Torrealba's run in Colorado. Torrealba was seeking a two-year deal worth $6 million to return to Colorado Rockies. Last month Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd told the paper that he was not optimistic about being reached to retain Torrealba. Hope Olivo can put on the rockies jersey successfully.

Gordie Howe gave us a surprise in Olympic torch relay

It is said that the Olympic torch relay through southwestern Ontario had a surprise runner -- Gordie Howe. Hundreds of revelers cheered on the torch in Amherstburg, where cannons were fired when it arrived at historic Fort Malden. The crowd lining in LaSalle went wild when Howe arrived with the torch.

Howe, who was born in Floral, played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, leading them to four Stanley Cup victories. He retired at age 52 after playing the 1979-80 season with the Hartford Whalers. Howe is one of 12,000 Canadians who will help carry the flame to Vancouver, where the 2010 Games will be held in February.