Boston – Boston Bruins rookie forward Phil Kessel underwent cancer surgery and is “on the road to recovery,” his agent said Tuesday.
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli confirmed Kessel, the fifth pick in this year’s NHL draft, had “cancer-related surgery” and that any further update on his treatment or the length of his absence would come from Kessel’s family.
“That’s something that the Kessels will disclose when they’re ready,” Chiarelli said Tuesday night. “We’re just trying to honor their wishes.”
Kessel’s agent, Wade Arnott, said the center had surgery Monday at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to The Boston Globe’s website.
“He got thrown a curveball,” Arnott told the Globe, without specifying the kind of cancer. “But he’s holding up pretty well.” The condition was identified “very recently” after Kessel felt minor symptoms, Arnott said. “He’s resting in Boston and on the road to recovery.”
Kessel, 19, has five goals and four assists in 27 games.
NHL
Gainey family expresses gratitude
The family of Canadian hockey great Bob Gainey thanked supportive fans and all those who helped search for his daughter, who has been missing since a huge wave swept her overboard a ship in the Atlantic.
Laura Gainey was on the deck of the 180-foot tall ship Picton Castle on Friday night when the wave hit the ship. She was wearing protective clothing but no life jacket at the time. The U.S. Coast Guard called off the search for Gainey, 25, on Monday night.
In their first comments since the incident 475 miles off Cape Cod, the Montreal Canadiens general manager and his three other children thanked “all the people who have been involved in the search for our darling Laura.”
“Their extensive efforts and their tremendous support throughout this ordeal will never be forgotten,” the family said in a statement. “We would particularly like to thank the United States Coast Guard and the Canadian Forces’ Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax for their extraordinary efforts. We are also very grateful to the entire crew of the Picton Castle and the merchant ships that graciously volunteered their time and resources.”
COLLEGES
Congressman wants Duke case examined
A congressman asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the district attorney prosecuting three Duke University lacrosse players charged with rape has violated the athletes’ civil rights. In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Rep. Walter Jones also asked the Justice Department to review Durham (N.C.) County District Attorney Mike Nifong’s actions for possible prosecutorial misconduct.
“Over the past several months, many of my constituents and a growing number of mainstream media outlets have raised serious questions about the accuser’s allegations and Mr. Nifong’s prosecution,” wrote Jones, R-N.C.
A grand jury indicted three lacrosse players on charges they raped a stripper at a team party in March. All three have strongly proclaimed their innocence, and a trial is not expected to start until spring.
Oklahoma has implemented new measures designed to prevent violations of NCAA rules on recruiting phone calls in response to some impermissible calls made by former basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff.
The changes, which include more frequent spot checks of telephone logs, a new rules compliance manual and a computer system to cross-reference coaches’ phone calls, are aimed at addressing a lack of oversight that resulted in 577 impermissible recruiting calls by Sampson and his staff. Sampson is now the head coach at Indiana.
Utah basketball coach Ray Giacoletti was reprimanded by the Mountain West Conference for criticizing the officials after Saturday’s overtime loss to Rhode Island.
Giacoletti was upset a foul was not called on Rhode Island players when Utah’s Luke Nevill was trying to put back an offensive rebound at the last second of Utah’s 85-84 loss. Giacoletti said it was the “most gutless” non-call he had seen in 21 years of coaching.
HORSE RACING
Barbaro continues gradual recovery
Barbaro continues gaining strength in his right hind leg since having his cast removed last month, another encouraging sign for the Kentucky Derby winner.
Nearly seven months into his stay at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, Barbaro’s veterinarians said the colt continues to recover gradually.
“Barbaro will need a special shoe on his right hind foot that will provide extra support for at least the next several months,” said Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the New Bolton Center.
Barbaro will likely have his right hind shoe changed within the next day or two. Barbaro’s laminitis-stricken left hind foot also continues to improve.
“Most importantly, Barbaro’s overall condition is continuing to improve and he weighs more now than at any time during his hospitalization,” Richardson said.
FOOTNOTES
Hornish declines shot to replace Johnson
Sam Hornish Jr. declined an invitation to replace Jimmie Johnson on Team USA’s entry in the Race of Champions Nations Cup in Paris. Hornish, the Indy Racing League champion, was contacted by Team USA officials after Johnson broke his wrist in a fall from a golf cart during a celebrity tournament last weekend. The NASCAR star can’t drive for at least four weeks. But Hornish declined the invitation because of short notice. The race is Saturday and the team leaves for Paris today.
Zina Garrison reportedly will stay on as the U.S. Fed Cup captain under a one-year contract extension.
Olympic silver medalist ice dancers Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto withdrew from the Grand Prix Final in St. Petersburg, Russia, because of Agosto’s back injury.
