NEWARK, N.J. — Jacques Lemaire is returning for a second stint as coach of the New Jersey Devils.
Lemaire, who coached the Devils for five seasons in the mid-1990s and led them to the first of three Stanley Cups, was hired Monday to replace Brent Sutter, who resigned after two seasons. Contract terms were not disclosed, but the 63-year-old Lemaire said he intends to coach at least two seasons.
“I never thought I would be back,” Lemaire said. “I said at that time when I was leaving after five years, and it was five great years, I wanted to cherish this for the rest of my life and the rest of my career, but I never thought one day I would come back.”
Lemaire, who recently resigned as coach of the Minnesota Wild, has won 11 Stanley Cups as a player, coach and executive. He has a career coaching record of 538-415- 176 in 14 seasons with Montreal, New Jersey and Minnesota.
• The New York Rangers are bringing back forward Ryan Callahan, coming to terms on a multiyear deal with the restricted free agent who set career highs with 22 goals, 40 points and 81 games played last season.
Also, the Rangers sent Lauri Korpikoski to the Phoenix Coyotes for Enver Lisin in a swap of forwards.
• Defenseman James Wisniew- ski signed a one-year deal to remain with the Anaheim Ducks.
• Forward Boyd Gordon signed a one-year, $761,000 deal to remain with the Washington Capitals.
Beckham returns to Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. — David Beckham has resolved his issues with Lan- don Donovan, saying he recently had a good conversation with his Los Angeles Galaxy teammate.
Beckham practiced with the Galaxy for the first time since returning from a five-month loan to Italian club AC Milan. He will play his first game of the MLS season Thursday against the New York Red Bulls.
Since his arrival back in Southern California, he has been peppered with questions about Donovan calling him a bad captain and portraying the English star as stingy in an upcoming book. Beckham said details of their meeting will remain private but it went very well.
• The Red Bulls signed defender Leo Krupnik from Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Premier League.
Footnotes.
Mississippi standouts Greg Hardy and Dexter McCluster avoided serious injury during a two-car accident Saturday. Hardy, an all-Southeastern Conference defensive end, aggravated a right foot injury and will wear a boot for the next 10 days. McCluster, a senior who plays wide receiver, running back and quarterback in the Wildcat formation, had bruises.
• Former Pacific 10 commissioner Wiles Hallock, who oversaw the league’s expansion from eight to 10 teams, died at his home in Walnut Creek, Calif. He was 91.
• Dutch gymnast Yuri van Gelder, a former world champion in the rings event, acknowledged using cocaine, saying he used the drug “for fun” and not to enhance his performance. He faces a two- year ban from the sport.
• Connecticut Sun forward Tamika Whitmore plans to have arthroscopic surgery on her right knee and is expected to miss about three weeks.
The Associated Press
