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SPORTS Thursday 18 July 2019

In this May 5, 2014, file photo, Ron Francis, at the time the gen-
eral manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, takes questions from
members of the media during a news conference in Raleigh,
N.C.
Associated Press
AP source: Seattle

close to naming

Ron Francis as GM In this April 13, 2017, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons speaks with members of the me-
dia at the team's NBA basketball training facility in Camden, N.J.
Associated Press
By TIM BOOTH reer. All of that time has Simmons backflips, withdraws
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle's NHL come with the Carolina
expansion team is close to Hurricanes, including four
an agreement with Hockey seasons as their GM. from Australia's Word Cup squad
Hall of Famer Ron Francis Carolina didn't make the
to become its first general playoffs with Francis in
manager, a person with charge of decision-mak- MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) in September to return to we have on the Boomers
direct knowledge tells The ing, though his moves put — Ben Simmons' new con- Philadelphia to acquaint squad, especially moving
Associated Press. the foundation in place for tract extension with the myself with my new team- closer to 2020 where I will
The person spoke on condi- the team that reached the Philadelphia 76ers came mates and prepare for the be honored and humbled
tion of anonymity Tuesday Eastern Conference final with bad news for Aus- upcoming NBA season." to represent my country on
because the team had not this past season. tralian basketball fans: Simmons had been select- the world's biggest sporting
made an announcement. Francis had 1,798 points The Melbourne-born NBA ed for Australia's World Cup stage at the Olympics in To-
The expansion Seattle fran- in 1,731 games over 23 All-star won't play for the squad and had earlier indi- kyo." Simmons was the No.
chise is set to begin play in seasons with the Hartford Boomers at the World Cup. cated he planned to play 1 overall draft pick in 2016.
the 2021-22 season as the Whalers/Hurricanes, Pitts- Hours after Simmons and the tournament in China. He made his NBA debut
NHL's 32nd team. burgh Penguins and Toron- the 76ers agreed to a $170 He now plans to play only in the 2017-18 season and
After longtime Detroit GM to Maple Leafs. He won the million, five-year contract for the Boomers in two ex- was the Rookie of the Year.
Ken Holland went to Ed- Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh extension on Tuesday, Sim- hibition games against the He was an All-Star for the
monton, adviser Dave Tip- in 1991 and 1992. mons said he preferred to United States in Melbourne first time last season. He has
pett left Seattle Hockey Competing for the Cup in spend time with his new on Aug. 22 and 24 at a averaged 16.4 points, 8.5
Partners LLC to become the early going will be the teammates in September stadium that is expected rebounds and 7.9 assists in
Oilers coach and Vegas' expectation for Seattle instead of travelling to Chi- to be sold out — 50,000 his two seasons.
Kelly McCrimmon and Co- after the Golden Knights na for the Aug. 31-Sept. 15 fans — for each game. Australia's World Cup line-
lumbus' Bill Zito got promo- reached the Final in their World Cup. He also said the Olympics up is set to feature San
tions, there was a limited inaugural season in 2017- "I wanted to let everyone next year in Tokyo remain Antonio's Patty Mills, Joe
pool of experienced NHL 18. Francis will have two full know that after consulting on his schedule. "I will still Ingles of Utah Jazz, Phoenix
executives to choose from seasons to scout the rest of with my representation, I've be heading back home to center Aron Baynes, Cleve-
for this job. Francis fits that the league before his as- made the difficult decision Australia to host my camps land's Matthew Dellave-
bill. yet-named team's expan- to forego playing in the as well as train and play dova, former No. 1 draft
The 56-year-old has been sion draft in June 2021. World Cup in China," Sim- with the Boomers in the up- pick Andrew Bogut, Detroit
in hockey operations since Francis did not immediate- mons said in a statement. coming exhibition games," center-forward Thon Maker
shortly after the end of his ly respond to a message "Ultimately, we decided it Simmons said. "I'm really and Simmons' 76ers team-
Hall of Fame playing ca- seeking comment.q was best that I use the time excited about the talent mate Jonah Bolden.q