NEW YORK — New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard was found dead Friday in his Minneapolis apartment by members of his family. He was 28.
An autopsy was pending.
One of the most feared fighters in the league, Boogaard had a goal and an assist to go with 45 penalty minutes in 22 games with the Rangers, but he missed the last 52 games of the 2010-11 season with a concussion and shoulder injury.
• Michael Grabner, who led the Islanders with 34 goals after being claimed off waivers, is staying with New York after agreeing to a five-year deal worth $15 million.
Sweden, Finland advance to final
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Sweden got two goals from St. Louis Blues forward Patrik Berglund in a 5-2 victory over the defending champion, Czech Republic, and Finland beat Russia 3-0 to set up a Scandinavian showdown in the final of the ice hockey world championships.
Celtics’ Rivers receives extension
WALTHAM, Mass. — Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers agreed to a five-year contract extension worth a reported $35 million.
49ers’ Kaepernick has surgery
SAN FRANCISCO — Colin Kaepernick recently had a surgical procedure on his lower left leg that the San Francisco 49ers claim will have no impact on the second-round pick’s rookie season.
The 49ers said they knew of the injury to the former Nevada quarterback before they selected him with the 36th overall pick — acquired from the Broncos — in last month’s NFL draft.
Quarterback Forcier out at Miami
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier broke off contact with the Miami Hurricanes about six weeks ago because undisclosed personal matters were overshadowing football.
Busch wins Trucks Series race
DOVER, Del. — Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Trucks Series Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway, moving into a tie with Mark Martin for fifth place with 96 career victories in the three major divisions.
• John Force topped funny car qualifying in the NHRA Southern Nationals with a 4.072-second pass at a top speed of 310.98 mph in Commerce, Ga.
Spencer Massey (top fuel), Mike Edwards (pro stock) and Eddie Krawiec (pro stock motorcycle) also topped their divisions.
Venus joins sister on sidelines
PARIS — Venus Williams, who hasn’t played on tour since January because of a hip injury, pulled out of the French Open a day after her sister Serena withdrew, making it the first Grand Slam tournament since 2003 without either Williams. The Grand Slam event begins May 22.
Footnotes.
Bart De Clercq hung on to win the 68-mile seventh stage of the Giro d’Italia, while Pieter Weening retained the overall lead.
• Belmont University, a steady presence in the NCAA basketball tournament, is leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference and joining the Ohio Valley Conference, effective in the 2012-2013 academic year.
