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Thursday 22 June 2017
Blackhawks’ Hossa to miss all next season with skin disorder

By STEPHEN WHYNO three Stanley Cup-winning
AP Hockey Writer Blackhawks teams during
Chicago Blackhawks wing- his eight seasons in Chica-
er Marian Hossa will miss go.
the entire upcoming NHL He has a salary-cap hit of
season because of severe $5,275,000 for the next four
side effects from medica- seasons. The cap-strapped
tion to treat a progressive Blackhawks can put Hossa
skin condition he’s been on long-term injured re-
dealing with for years. serve to get some relief
The team announced the from a deal that was worth
medical update Wednes- $63.3 million over 12 years.
day, one that could have Hossa has already been
a significant impact on paid $59.3 million as part
the veteran’s career and of a front-loaded contract.
the franchise’s future. The In real dollars he’s set to
38-year-old Hossa has four make just $1 million in each
years left on his contract of the next four seasons,
and says “playing hockey and because of that, the
is not possible” for him next Blackhawks will likely keep
season. Hossa on LTIR rather than
“While I am disappointed him retiring and costing the
that I will not be able to team cap-recapture pen-
play, I have to consider the In this Saturday, March 25, 2017, file photo, Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81)
prepares for a face off against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game, alties that were instituted
severity of my condition in Sunrise, Fla. for the last collective bar-
and how the treatments Associated Press gaining agreement.
have impacted my life With Hossa’s cap hit off
both on and off the ice,” the skin disorder is “becom- life,” Terry said. in the league throughout the books and defense-
Hossa said in a statement ing more and more difficult General manager Stan his career. man Trevor van Riemsdyk
released by the Black- to treat and control with Bowman calls Hossa’s ab- “His teammates and and center Marcus Kruger
hawks, adding he’s been conventional medications sence a significant loss. coaches know he battled linked to the expansion Ve-
privately undergoing treat- while he plays hockey.” Hossa, a 19-year veteran, through some very tough gas Golden Knights, Chi-
ment for the last few years “We feel in the most certain has only missed 46 games physical difficulties but nev- cago won’t have as many
under the supervision of terms this is the appropriate over the past six seasons. er complained or missed roster problems as original-
Chicago’s medical staff. approach for Marian in or- He had 26 goals and 19 games despite the chal- ly predicted in the first sea-
Dr. Michael Terry said the der to keep him functional assists last season and has lenges he faced,” Bowman son of Artemi Panarin’s $12
team supports Hossa’s de- and healthy in the short been considered one of said. million, two-year deal. q
cision not to play and that term and throughout his the best defensive forwards Hossa has been part of

Taurasi was the WNBA’s rookie another championship
and the national team is
of the year in 2004, won
on the table and if I can
three WNBA titles with the
Continued from Page 17 Mercury and was the finals contribute, I would love to
MVP twice. Taurasi was the do that, too.”
But that’s a debate for WNBA MVP in 2009, earned Even if Taurasi doesn’t win
championship
another
someone else to settle. five scoring titles, was or play for another gold
Brash and fiery on the named to the all-WNBA medal, she has helped
court, Taurasi would prefer team nine times and won change women’s basket-
to defer when it comes to four Olympic medals. ball, shaped the way it’s
her place in the annals of She’s also dominated played and helped boost
the game. overseas, earning five Eu- its popularity.
“When you get to my age, roleague titles while being “The one thing I’ve always
you can’t look back, you league MVP twice and fi- said is I want to be a good
can’t look forward,” she nals MVP twice. In this May 9, 2016, file photo, Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi teammate,” she said. “To
said Wednesday. “If any- Taurasi added another smiles as she speaks during a news conference at the team’s this day, I’ve been working
thing, I’m pretty proud to milestone Sunday in her basketball media day, in Phoenix. Associated Press on being a great team-
play this much basketball hometown, eclipsing Tina mate and that goes be-
well into my college and Thompson’s all-time WNBA WNBA’s best players, a kyo. yond going onto the court
professional career. I’ve scoring mark of 7,488 points heady scorer and play- “When I signed the exten- and playing hard, mak-
been really lucky: one, be- in Los Angeles to add an- maker who has a knack sion, it gave me a little bit ing sure you’re ready to
ing really healthy and two, other record to her long list for seeing plays develop of a schedule of what I’m play. That’s the one thing
being around really good of achievements. before anyone else. This thinking,” Taurasi said. “I I learned from being at
people. When I look at it “Diana is one of the best season, she’s seventh in just turned 35 and physi- Connecticut and being
that way, I feel like I’m the players to ever play the league scoring at 18.3 cally and mentally I feel around coach (Geno) Au-
luckiest basketball player game and definitely one points per game and is great, but I’ve talked to riemma is to get the best
of all time.” of my favorites,” Thompson shooting 41 percent from a lot of older players and out of yourself and the best
The case for best player of said after Taurasi broke her 3-point range. when you get to this age, out of other people.”
all-time is pretty strong. record. Taurasi signed a contract every month feels like six Taurasi has done that
Taurasi was one of the Taurasi figures to keep add- extension in May that will months, every year feels throughout her career and
best players in NCAA his- ing to the scoring record take her through 2020, like four years. I’m just go- will likely keep doing it until
tory, leading Connecticut for several more years. when she hopes to play for ing to play it by ear, hope-
to three national titles. She At 35, she’s still one of the a fifth Olympic gold in To- fully help the Mercury win it ends.q