Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
December 12, 2023 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
This past week the Columbus Crew won its third Major League Soccer Cup, the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats named Scott Milanovich its new head coach, the Indiana Fever won the Women's National Basketball Association Draft Lottery for the second year in a row, and the New York Ironworkers withdrew from Major League Rugby. Highlights from this week come from Major League Soccer, the National Women's Soccer League, Canadian Premier League, Major Arena Soccer League, Canadian Football League, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, Pro Volleyball Federation, American Ultimate Disc League, National Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Southern Professional Hockey League, Professional Women's Hockey League, Western Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, United States Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Texas League, Midwest League and the Atlantic League.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
The Columbus Crew won their third MLS Cup presented by Audi after defeating the Los Angeles Football Club 2-1 at Lower.com Field. Columbus became the third club in league history to win MLS Cup at least three different times, and it marked their second championship trophy (2020) in the past four seasons. Cucho Hernández was named the 2023 MLS Cup MVP presented by Audi, after scoring the opening goal of the match in the 33rd minute, which was his fifth of the postseason. With the victory, Crew midfielder and captain Darlington Nagbe won his fourth MLS Cup (2015, 2018, 2020, 2023), becoming just the 10th player in league history to win four-or-more MLS Cups.
Here are the highlights.
Celebrations underway as Columbus Crew win 2023 MLS Cup
Chicago Fire FC announced that it has hired Frank Klopas as head coach. Klopas, a member of the Club's Ring of Fire and the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, has been involved with the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer in a variety of roles since 1998. "We conducted a thorough process with numerous well-qualified candidates, and we believe that Frank Klopas is the right person to lead the team," said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. "Frank is hard working, has strong relationships with our players and staff, and knows what it takes to be successful in this League. During the interview process Frank laid out a clear plan to create a winning culture and mentality within the Club, and we are all aligned on the areas that we need to strengthen to be much more competitive in 2024. We will work closely with Frank to improve the roster and finalize his coaching staff for the upcoming season."
National Women's Soccer League
She scored a rookie record of 11 goals in her first year. Mexico National Team and Houston Dash forward, Diana Ordóñez, chats about her proud bicultural roots & what it means to be 22 and living the dream. This is her Game Changers story.
Canadian Premier League
Game Plan Sports Group were formally introduced as the new owners of York United FC with a press conference at York Lions Stadium. Here are some sights and sounds from the event.
United Soccer League Championship
The North Carolina Football Club has promoted John Bradford to head coach and sporting director of North Carolina FC ahead of the team's return to the USL Championship, as announced by the club. Bradford enters his 19th year with the club and served as a coach for the professional North Carolina FC team the past five seasons, including the last three as head coach. He led the team to the USL League One championship in 2023, the first league playoff championship in the team's 17-year history. "John has been a fantastic representative of our club and region for years and this promotion is well-deserved. He is a great identifier of talent, has a tremendous track record of developing players of all skill levels and career stages, and has proven himself tactically. His knowledge of our club history and competitive drive leaves no doubt he is the right man for the job, and we're thrilled to have this stability during the transition back to the USL Championship," said NCFC owner Steve Malik.
Major Arena Soccer League
It's time for the best five minutes of your week with MASL in 5!
Join Alex Bastyovanszky as he takes you through the week that was across the MASL in just five minutes!
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Scott Milanovich has been named the 27th Head Coach in team history. "First and foremost, Scott is an outstanding person and a proven Head Coach in the CFL." Said Orlondo Steinauer, President of Football Operations, Hamilton Tiger-Cats. "He did an outstanding job with us last year when he took on an expanded role and we know his leadership will bring tremendous value to our organization. We're looking forward to the 2024 season and we're excited that Scott and his family will continue to be a part of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats." A native of Butler, Pennsylvania, Milanovich brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the Tiger-Cats, including five seasons as a Head Coach with the Toronto Argonauts (2012-16) where he won a Grey Cup in 2012 and was named the CFL's Coach of the Year that same season. Before joining the Argonauts, Milanovich held various roles with the Montreal Alouettes over five seasons (2007-11) where he won two Grey Cups ('09, '10) as the club's Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator. His CFL coaching experience also includes stops in Edmonton (2020) as the club's Head Coach and as the Quarterbacks Coach with the Calgary Stampeders (2003).
In the first sit-down interview with Scott Milanovich in his new role as head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, RJ Broadhead talks with him about his history in the CFL; his NFL experience; his perspective on the QB corps in 2023; how coming into this role with experience around the team from 2023 will help his transition; and his outlook in 2024.
Henoc Muamba and Donnovan Bennett react to CFL.ca's list of the top 30 pending free agents in the league prior to free agency officially opening in February and break down some of the notable names that may be on the move.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
For the second consecutive season, the Indiana Fever received the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft, determined by tonight's WNBA Draft Lottery. The 2024 WNBA Draft is currently scheduled to take place on Monday, April 15. "This is tremendous news for our franchise to receive another No.1 overall pick," General Manager Lin Dunn said.
The No.1 pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft went to the Indiana Fever as they secured back-to-back No.1 picks. The Los Angeles Sparks finished at No.2 followed by the Phoenix Mercury and finally the Seattle Storm
GM Lin Dunn, President & COO Dr. Allison Barber, Grace Berger and Lexie Hull react to winning the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
NBA G League
Top 20 Plays Of November 2023
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
The New York Ironworkers withdraw from Major League Rugby. Here is a statement from Nic Benson, CEO of Major League Rugby:
We're disappointed and saddened to announce the withdrawal of the New York Ironworkers from Major League Rugby, particularly knowing the commitment and pride of its players and staff, as well as the fervent passion of its fan base.
Pro Volleyball Federation
Pro Volleyball Federation, the premier women's professional volleyball league in North America, has announced the addition of Indianapolis as the 10th market for the League. The team will begin competition during the 2025 season. Indiana has become nationally known as a volleyball hotbed, with more than 4,300 high school players taking the courts throughout the state. It is one of the most popular female sports in Indiana and MaxPreps recently rated the state as one of the top five states in the United States for volleyball. More than 3,500 girls play club volleyball in the greater Indianapolis area. "We are thrilled that Indianapolis is the next market to join REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL," boasted Patrick Talty, President of Indiana Sports Corp. "Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in our state and this is a fantastic opportunity to continue growing the sport. We are excited to welcome athletes and fans across the country to experience everything Indianapolis has to offer."
Indianapolis announced as latest market for the Pro Volleyball Federation
Kansas City Pro Volleyball announced Lori Thomas, Commissioner of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, will become Team President February 1. She will lead business operations for the club, which include hiring and managing a full-time staff, creating a fan-focused strategic plan and representing the team at the league level. "Volleyball has played a significant part of my life; and my experiences as an athlete, coach and administrator not only reaffirmed my passion for the sport but provided me with professional skills I use every day," says Thomas. "As President for Kansas City Pro Volleyball, I'm excited for Kansas City to experience the dynamic and engaging sport that fosters a sense of community. We can't wait to bring Kansas City some of the best volleyball we have ever seen in the United States."
Take a peak in to a content production day at Franklin Headquarters with athletes of Pro Volleyball Federation.
American Ultimate Disc League
Jonny Malks was an all-around playmaker for the DC Breeze in 2023, earning All AUDL honors for the second time in his career.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
NLL Week 1 Top 5 Plays
It's time to have some fun! Teddy Jenner gives us his Burning Take on the unified standings, and how it changes his look at the 2023-24 NLL championship matchup.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Shave for Change is a fundraising initiative created by the Syracuse Crunch players to help support the team's Change for Change program and raise funds for cancer research at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital and Upstate Cancer Center.
Riley Kidney's goal at 4:45 of the 1st period tied the game at 1. The annual Teddy Bear Toss game set a new Laval Rocket record for the number of stuffed animals collected to be donated to kids at Christmas time, as 12,402 were thrown onto the ice following the goal.
ECHL
During a school day game in the ECHL, Toledo Walleye forward Kirill Tyutyayev cleared a rogue chicken nugget into the crowd after it was thrown onto the ice leading to a 10-minute misconduct penalty.
Idaho Steelheads, fans score win for the community with Teddy Bear Toss. All stuffed animals that were thrown onto the ice are donated to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.
Southern Professional Hockey League
Week 7 SPHL goals
Week 7 SPHL saves
Professional Women's Hockey League
With all six PWHL teams in attendance for pre-season evaluation camp at Utica University Nexus Center this week, fans had the chance to meet players, get autographs signed, and watch a scrimmage between PWHL New York and PWHL Ottawa - the first PWHL action played in front of live spectators
The first three goals of the PWHL pre-season were all scored by Blayre Turnbull whose natural hat-trick provided enough offense to lift Toronto over Boston.
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10
WHL Power Rankings - December 1-7
Ontario Hockey League
Erie Otters Pano Fimis named OHL Player of the Week
OHL Saves of the Week
North American Hockey League
The top plays in the NAHL from November 27 - December 3, 2023
United States Hockey League
USHL Top Plays of the Week
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Top 10 Plays of The Month
BASEBALL
Texas League
When the Northwest Arkansas Naturals take the field on Friday, April 5, 2024, against the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers), they will be showcasing an all-new look as the organization unveiled a brand-new logo package and uniform combinations. "As we set out on this project almost 18 months ago, we had a few key goals in mind. The first maintaining strong ties to our past so that meant not completely abandoning all aspects of the brand that we love," said Cole. "The other two main goals were vibrancy and variety. Vibrancy was accomplished by adding brightness to our color palette and team uniforms. We also now have great brand versatility across our team messaging, and team apparel, with numerous secondary marks and a customized font."
The professional baseball league in Northwest Arkansas is getting an updated look.
Frontier League
The Tri-City ValleyCats organization is excited to announce that they have reached an agreement with Greg Tagert as their new Field Manager. The Carlsbad, N.M. native will be at the helm for the 2024-2025 seasons, and he is the 12th skipper in ValleyCats' history. Tagert will be the 'Cats second manager since joining the Frontier League in 2021 after Pete Incaviglia. Along with his on-field responsibilities, Tagert will also be responsible for player procurement and building the team's roster. The focus of this process is to create a winning environment that also provides opportunities for players to advance in their professional careers. I'm absolutely thrilled to join the ValleyCats organization," said Tagert. "Throughout the interview process, it became increasingly apparent this was a place I wanted to be a part of. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to ownership, Rick Murphy and Matt Callahan, for their faith in me and the opportunity to manage the ValleyCats. Also, I'm extremely excited to come back to the Frontier League, where I began my managing career. With Steve Tashler as Commissioner and the established franchises, the future of the league has never been brighter."
Midwest League
Best of 2023: Dayton Dragons turns a triple play
Atlantic League
Records: Company Over Gastonia Honey Hunters Files For Bankruptcy, Owes More Than $4 Million
Hope not lost following Gastonia Honey Hunters filing for bankruptcy
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
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Canadian Football League Stories from December 12, 2023
- Tiger-Cats Sign Three - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Winter Negotiation Lists Unveiled - CFL
- Jamar McGloster and Dionté Ruffin Back with the Alouettes - Montreal Alouettes
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
