Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report

BASEBALL American Association: The independent American Association awarded its 2026 Promotion of the Year to the league's Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for their "Fargo Woodchippers" alternate identity that was a tribute to the 1996 "Fargo" movie with its infamous "woodchipper" scene. Atlantic League: The independent Atlantic League recently announced the new 21-day Florida Winter League (FWL) will operate at the Lawnwood Complex in Fort Pierce from January 15 through February 10, 2027. The FW... Full Story

Forward Sam Stange Recalled to Springfield Thunderbirds

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Railers Hockey Club (@RailersHC), proud ECHL (@ECHL) affiliate of the St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues), and Head Coach & General Manager Nick Tuzzolino, announced today that forward Sam Stange has been recalled to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League from his loan to Worcester. Stange, 25, scored a goal in his Railers debut 1:02 into the second period of Saturday's season opener against the Maine Mariners to give Worcester a 2-0 lead. The Eau Claire, WI native first signed a contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds heading into the 202... Full Story

PWHL Detroit Forward Daryl Watts Named to National Women`s Canadian Roster for 2026 IIhf Women's World Championship

CALGARY, Alberta - Hockey Canada has announced the 25 players named to Canada's National Women's Team for the 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship, Nov. 6-16 in Herning and Esbjerg, Denmark. Three goaltenders, eight defenders and 14 forwards were selected by general manager Danièle Sauvageau (Montreal, QC/Montreal, PWHL) and head coach Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, NS/Montréal, PWHL). Assistant coaches Caroline Ouellette (Montréal, QC/Montréal, PWHL) and Kris Sparre (Mississauga, ON/Hamilton, PWHL), along with goaltending coach Bruno-Pierre Guillemette (Laval, QC/Montr... Full Story

Leyh Recalled to Chicago Ahead of Gargoyles Opener for AHL Season Debut

GREENSBORO, NC - The Greensboro Gargoyles, proud ECHL affiliate of the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL's Chicago Wolves, announced today forward Ethan Leyh has been recalled by Chicago ahead of the Gargoyles Friday home opener. Leyh was reassigned to Greensboro on October 1 after signing a two-way AHL contract this summer. The Anmore, BC native finished third in scoring as a rookie during the Gargoyles inaugural season with 29 points (10G-19A) in 39 appearances. He played two AHL games with the Wolves, making his debut on December 20, 2025. Opening Weekend ... Full Story

• Wenatchee Wild Announce Signing of Avery Hanowski to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement - Wenatchee Wild (WHL)
• St. Louis CITY SC Travels to Face Columbus Crew in 2026 U.S. Open Cup Final - St. Louis City SC (MLS)
• Forge FC Looks to Make Canadian Soccer History in Canadian Championship Final - Forge FC (CPL)
• Built Together. Built for This. Built to Defy. - Rhode Island FC (USL)
• Marsh Named WHL's Rookie of the Week - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
• Royals Re-Sign Jacob Frasca, F for 2026-27 Season - Reading Royals (ECHL)
• Orlando City SC Forward Antoine Griezmann Voted MLS Player Matchday Presented by Michelob ULTRA for Matchday 31 - Orlando City SC (MLS)
• Forward Sam Stange Recalled to Springfield Thunderbirds - Worcester Railers HC (ECHL)
• Dawgs Add Forward Dill on PTO - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (SPHL)
• Orlando City SC Forward Antoine Griezmann Voted MLS Player of the Matchday Presented by Michelob ULTRA for Matchday 31 - (MLS)
• All Today's Minor League News
  

• Chicago Fire clinch playoff spot for 2nd consecutive season - MLS Chicago Tribune
• Hearts of Pine midfielder Mikey Lopez announces retirement - USL1 Portland Press Herald
• How coach Natalie Nakase has the Valkyries on cusp of history in WNBA Finals - WNBA ESPN
• 3DownNation CFL power rankings: Bryson Barnes saves Ottawa Redblacks from depths of despair - CFL 3DownNation
• MLS Power Rankings: Messi's Inter Miami moving up, Nashville still No.1 - MLS ESPN
• NWSL Power Rankings: San Diego Wave stay No. 1, Angel City keep rising - NWSL ESPN
• Orlando Pride score 2-1 win over Houston behind rookie forward, veteran Marta - NWSL Orlando Sentinel
• Chattanooga FC Wins First Ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Match At Home - MLS NEXT Pro Chattanoogan
• Struggling Maple Leafs put out call to Marlies forward Vinni Lettieri - AHL Toronto Sun
• Admirals hold off Atlanta Gladiators, finish 2-1 on season-opening trip - ECHL Virginian Pilot
• All Today's Minor League Headlines

• Courage Comeback Effort Falls Short in Loss to San Diego by Fran Stuchbury
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger

Winnipeg Blue Bombers celebrate

See All Today's Images The following minor league and alternative professional sports teams on OurSports Central have been viewed the most over the last seven days:

1. Columbia Fireflies - Carolina League (CarL)
2. B.C. Lions - Canadian Football League (CFL)
3. Inter Miami CF - Major League Soccer (MLS)
4. Tampa Bay Rowdies - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
5. Indiana Fever - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
6. Inter Toronto FC - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
7. Stockton Kings - NBA G League (G League)
8. New York Liberty - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
9. Seattle Torrent - Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)
10. Vancouver Goldeneyes - Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)

1. Sunday, October 18: Match Notes - AFC Toronto vs Calgary Wild FC
2. Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Clinching and Elimination Scenarios Matchday 31 (Saturday, October 17 - Sunday, October 18)
3. WNBA Finals Game 2 Preview: Valkyries vs. Dream - 10/19/26
4. Abbotsford, Let's Go Canucks: Kick-Off Home Schedule with Back-To-Back Hockey
5. Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report
6. San Jose Erases Second-Half Deficit For Third Consecutive Match To Clinch Playoff Spot For First Time Since 2023 And Extend Unbeaten Streak To Nin
7. LAFC Seeks Big Result from Cross-Conference Clash at New York City FC on Saturday
8. Houston Dynamo FC Clinch 2026 Playoff
9. St. Louis CITY SC Falls 3-2 to Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field
10. We're in: Saskatchewan Roughriders Clinch Grey Cup Playoff Berth

The most recent minor league and alternative professional sports teams added to OurSports Central:

• Tampa Bay - UPSHOT League (UPSHOT)
• Utah - United Football League (UFL)
• Rhode Island Breakers - United Football League (UFL)
• Colorado - United Football League (UFL)
• Florida Flamingos Racquet Club - World Team Tennis (WTT)
• Toronto North Racquet Club - World Team Tennis (WTT)
• USL Long Island - United Soccer League One (USL1)
• Savannah Leprechauns - Indoor Football League (IFL)
• Minnesota - American Association (AA)
• ATX Bulls - Arena Football One (AF1)

OurSports Central provides coverage of select alternative and minor league professional sports leagues in addition to the top junior hockey leagues and college wood bat baseball leagues:

BASEBALL
Affiliated Minor League Baseball
AzCL, AzFL, CalL, CarL, EL, FLCL, FSL, IL, MLBDL, MWL, NWL, PCL, SAL, SL, TL
College Wood Bat Baseball
ApL, Northwoods
Independent Minor League Baseball
AA, AtL, ML, NA, Pecos, PL, WPBL

BASKETBALL
Men's Minor League Basketball
BIG3, CEBL, G League
Women's Basketball
UPSHOT, WNBA

FOOTBALL
Indoor/Arena Football
AF1, IFL, NAL, TAL
Outdoor Football
CFL, UFL

HOCKEY
Junior Hockey
NAHL, OHL, QMJHL, USHL, WHL
Minor League Hockey
AHL, ECHL, FPHL, SPHL
Women's Hockey
PWHL

LACROSSE
Indoor Lacrosse
NLL
Outdoor Lacrosse
PLL, WLL

OTHER
Other Sports
MLR
Other Women's
AUSL, LOVB, MLV, NWLS, WTT

SOCCER
Indoor Soccer
MASL
Outdoor Soccer
CPL, MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, USL, USL Premier, USL1
Women's Soccer
GSL, NSL, NWSL