RALEIGH, N.C. — Rod Brind’Amour is retiring after 21 NHL seasons to take an unspecified front-office job with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The team’s former captain said Wednesday that his decision was made simpler after he talked with general manager Jim Rutherford and they decided the aging veteran wouldn’t fit with the Hurricanes’ rebuilding plan.
Brind’Amour finished his career with 452 goals and 732 assists in 1,484 regular-season games over 21 years with St. Louis, Philadelphia and Carolina. He had 51 goals in 159 career playoff games.
• The Philadelphia Flyers signed goalie Michael Leighton to a two- year deal, keeping the playoff hero away from free agency. Leighton stepped up during the postseason and helped the Flyers make a surprise run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Kris Versteeg from the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in a five-player deal.
• Right wing David Clarkson signed a three-year, $8 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets claimed former Edmonton Oilers left wing Ethan Moreau off waivers.
Cunningham’s young son dies
LAS VEGAS — The 2-year-old son of former NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham died in what authorities called an apparent backyard hot tub accident.
The Clark County coroner’s office identified the child as Christian Cunningham, and said the cause of death was pending. A police department spokesman said the death appeared to have been an accidental drowning.
Small wins PGA title
FRENCH LICK, Ind. — Mike Small birdied three of his last five holes to win his second straight PGA professional championship, holding off Sonny Skinner by three strokes.
The University of Illinois men’s coach shot a 1-over 73 to finish at 8-under and win his third overall PGA national title, tying Larry Gilbert‘s record. The top 20 finishers earned spots in the PGA Championship on Aug. 12-15 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
Footnotes.
Jennie Finch hit a grand slam to lead the United States to a 16-1 victory against Canada and remain unbeaten in the world softball championships in Caracas, Venezuela.
• Rachel Alexandra arrived at New York’s Saratoga Race Course, where she is likely to make her next start. Co-owner Jess Jackson has yet to announce her next start. Among the possibilities are the Ruffian Handicap on Aug. 1 and the Personal Ensign on Aug. 29. Both races are for fillies and mares.
• Syracuse and Penn State are renewing their long football rivalry with a game at New Meadowlands Stadium. The contest in August 2013 will be the first of a three- game series.
• Scott Rueck, who has spent the past 14 seasons at George Fox University, was named women’s basketball coach at Oregon State.
• The Detroit Lions agreed to terms with cornerback Amari Spievey, their third-round pick from Iowa.
The Associated Press
