Page 31 - bon-dia-aruba-20210904

A31
sports Diasabra 4 september 2021

NHL reaches agreement to send players to Olympics in Beijing

(AP) - The NHL is set to pen, NHL players will com-
return to the Olympics in pete in the Olympic men’s
Beijing this winter after hockey tournament for the
reaching an agreement sixth time in seven chances
with international offi- dating to 1998.
cials, though the league
and players have the op- “We understand how pas-
portunity to withdraw if sionately NHL players feel
pandemic circumstances about representing and com-
warrant. peting for the countries,”
NHL Deputy Commissioner
The NHL, its players’ union, Bill Daly said. “We are very
the International Olympic pleased that we were able to
Committee and the Interna- conclude arrangements that
tional Ice Hockey Federation will allow them to resume
struck a deal Friday that will best on best on the Olympic
put the best players in the stage.”
world back on sports’ big-
gest stage in February after COVID-19 insurance is
they skipped the 2018 Py- not part of the agreement,
eongchang Games. though Fasel confirmed the
IIHF will provide a $5 mil-
“It was not easy, but we did lion fund for any lost salary
it,” IIHF president Rene Fa- because of the disease. Vac-
sel told The Associated Press cinations are expected to be
by phone. “I’m really, really required, and players will come true,” McDavid told gold medal in Pyeongchang. ing on Feb. 9. The league will
happy. When you see the last have their contracts insured the AP this week. “It’s kind of still hold its All-Star weekend
was 2014, and they would for injury. been a long time since we’ve “The Olympics is one of the in Las Vegas before players fly
wait until 2026, so you have been able to play best on best biggest dreams of mine and to China on Feb. 6.
12 years in between — that internationally. I think for I haven’t been able to par-
means we have a generation U.S. coach Mike Sullivan me, and I think for a lot of ticipate in one — this might “It levels the playing field,”
of hockey players that would called returning to the Olym- guys that were on that team, be the last chance I get,” said Hall of Fame defense-
not be able to play in the pics “such an exciting time it’s been a long time coming. said Hedman, who was left man Chris Pronger, who
Olympics.” for hockey.” We’re obviously looking for- off Sweden’s 2014 Olympic made his Olympic debut
ward to going to the Olym- roster. “When you get an op- in 1998 and won gold with
Even after the NHL and He is not alone in that think- pics if we’re all lucky enough portunity to represent your Canada in 2010. “It allows
players agreed to Olympic ing. to make it.” country on the biggest stage, more countries to compete
participation as part of a long- it is one of those things that at a higher level. It showcases
term extension of the collec- Reigning NHL MVP Con- It could be the first Olympics you’ll probably never forget. the sport.”
tive bargaining agreement nor McDavid played for for McDavid, U.S. star Aus- So yeah for me it is obvious-
last summer, the coronavirus an under-23 “Team North ton Matthews, 2020 playoff ly something that I’ve been NHL players at the Olym-
pandemic and related costs America” at the 2016 World MVP and two-time Stanley dreaming about my whole pics became commonplace,
threatened to shelve that pos- Cup of Hockey and has yet Cup champion Victor Hed- life and something I want with the IOC agreeing to pay
sibility. Instead, the sides fig- to play for Canada in a tour- man and many others. They to do before I hang up my travel and insurance costs and
ured it out, allowing for the nament of the world’s best didn’t get the opportunity skates.” owners willing to pause the
league or players to withdraw men’s hockey players. three years ago, when na- season for players to take part
if virus circumstances change tional teams were made up In anticipation of a deal be- in the tournament. An entire
for the worse or there’s an “Just to be able to represent mostly of college and Euro- ing reached, the NHL al- generation of players grew up
outbreak during the season. Canada at the Olympics and pean professional players, ex- ready scheduled a three-week knowing of Olympics being a
compete for a gold medal cept for the Olympic Athletes break to take into account the showcase for NHL stars.
As long as that does not hap- would be an absolute dream from Russia, who won the Olympic tournament open-

Former Super Bowl champ Patten dies in motorcycle crash

(AP) — Former NFL re- Richland County coroner Patten played 12 seasons in Bowl. It was New England’s coached David. He is an es-
ceiver and three-time Su- Naida Rutherford said in a the NFL after signing as an lone offensive TD in the sential person and player
per Bowl champion Da- statement Patten was killed undrafted free agent with the 20-17 win over the St. Louis in Patriots history, without
vid Patten Jr., who caught in a crash Thursday night New York Giants in 1997. Rams. whom we would not have
Tom Brady’s first post- outside of Columbia, South He spent three seasons in been Super Bowl champi-
season touchdown pass to Carolina. The South Caro- New York and also played for Patten played with the Pa- ons.”
help the Patriots win their lina Highway Patrol said the Cleveland, Washington and triots from 2001 until 2004
first title, has died in a accident involved two other New Orleans. and was a member of their Team owner Robert Kraft
motorcycle accident. vehicles. 2003 and 2004 championship said he was “heartbroken.”
But his biggest highlights teams. He appeared in 147
came as a member of the career NFL games, catching “He was a devout Chris-
Patriots, making two iconic 324 passes for 4,715 yards tian who followed his pas-
catches to help New England and 24 touchdowns. sion following his football
capture its first Super Bowl career and founded his own
win during the 2001 season. In a statement coach Bill ministry,” Kraft said. “David
He hauled in an 11-yard TD Belichick called Patten “an transitioned from an under-
from Drew Bledsoe during essential person and player in sized and understated wide
the Patriots’ 24-17 win over Patriots history.” receiver to a powerful and
Pittsburgh in the AFC cham- passionate preacher. In New
pionship game. He followed “It breaks my heart to hear England, he will always be
that with a leaping 8-yard TD of David’s tragic passing at remembered as a three-time
reception from Brady in the such a young age,” Belichick Super Bowl champion.”
second quarter of the Super said. “I am grateful to have