San Jose, Calif. – Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell has pleaded no contest to drunken driving and hit-and-run charges and will serve six months in a Santa Clara (Calif.) County jail, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
Bell, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in June, had faced nearly four years in state prison if convicted of the original charges. A sentencing date has not been set, defense lawyer Ken Robinson said, adding Bell will serve his sentence during the summer months so it doesn’t conflict with the hockey season.
NHL
Former Canadiens executive Pollock dies
Sam Pollock, who built a hockey dynasty as vice president and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s and 1970s, has died. He was 81.
The New York Islanders signed forward Josef Vasicek to a one-year contract. Vasicek had six goals and 22 assists with a minus-5 rating in 63 games last season while splitting time between the Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes.
Bobby Carpenter, the first American-born player to score 50 goals in an NHL season, will be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Grand Rapids, N.D. Also to be inducted Oct. 13 are: goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, forward Aaron Broten and former Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes. Carpenter scored 50 goals in the 1984-85 season with the Washington Capitals.
MOTORSPORTS
Earnhardt Jr. loses No. 8 next season
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not be taking his familiar No. 8 with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season.
Earnhardt is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season and had hoped to take No. 8 with him to his new team. Although teams do not own numbers – they are leased through NASCAR – DEI had the first right of refusal on the No. 8, and Hendrick officials said they were unable to reach an agreement that would have made DEI pass on choosing the number for 2008.
Former Indianapolis 500 driver David Walther has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for nonsupport of dependents and violating terms of an earlier sentence. Walther, 59, owes more than $21,000 in child support, according to the Warren (Ohio) County prosecutor’s office.
BASKETBALL
Injured Bosh leaves U.S. training camp
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh withdrew from U.S. training camp because of a left foot injury. Bosh has plantar fasciitis and will not play in the FIBA Americas tournament that starts next week, USA Basketball spokesman Craig Miller said. Bosh will remain on the team and under consideration for a spot if the Americans qualify for the 2008 Olympics. His withdrawal leaves the Americans with 15 players.
A former Memphis Grizzlies administrative assistant is suing the team for $3 million, claiming sexual harassment after her supervisor made several unwelcome sexual advances. Breshetta Clark claims in the federal lawsuit that Carl Howard Parker, the team’s engineering director, sought sexual favors while her husband was away on military duty. Clark is seeking compensatory and punitive damages of $3 million against each defendant in the case – the Grizzlies and Parker, according to court documents.
FOOTNOTES
Mauresmo withdraws from U.S. Open
Two-time major tennis champion Amelie Mauresmo pulled out of the U.S. Open, citing a groin injury and the need to recover fully from the appendectomy she had in March.
Kristin Haynie scored a season-high 14 points to help the Sacramento Monarchs rally for an 81-74 WNBA victory over visiting San Antonio. Former Colorado State star Becky Hammon scored 19 points for the Silver Stars (20-12).
Nykesha Sales had a career-high 32 points to lead the visiting Connecticut Sun to a 77-74 victory over the Indiana Fever.
Defending champion Lava Man and 12 other horses were entered in the $1 million Pacific Classic to be run over 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar (Calif.) on Saturday.
Chivas USA acquired midfielder Ramon Nuñez from FC Dallas for a conditional pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
