The Calgary Flames hired Ryan Huska to be their next head coach on Monday, opting to stay in-house after missing the playoffs this season.
Huska has coached in the Flames organization since taking over as head coach of Calgary’s American Hockey League affiliate in 2014-15.
He joined the Flames as an assistant coach in 2018.
"Following a detailed search process, today we are proud to introduce Ryan Huska as head coach of the Calgary Flames," said Craig Conroy, who was named Flames general manager last month.
"While continuity and familiarity are a benefit, we have witnessed first-hand Ryan's work ethic; he is a clear communicator who builds trust with his players; and he's a critical thinker with a plan.
"Ryan provides 11 seasons of bench experience as a head coach from the WHL and the AHL and over 20 years coaching in total, including knowledge gained as an assistant coach in Calgary for the past five seasons.
“Ryan has earned this opportunity and we are confident he is the right coach for our team."
Huska went 303-164-37 in seven seasons as a head coach in the Western Hockey League and
135-118-27 in four years in the AHL.
He never had a losing record in any of those 11 seasons and reached the playoffs eight times.
"I'm honoured to have earned the trust of Flames ownership, of Craig and the entire management group to coach this team," Huska said.
"My position coming into this is a little different than most as I know our players very well. We have good people in our dressing room, excellent hockey players who want to win.
“My job is to inspire them every single day to help get our team to the next level."
Huska takes over for Darryl Sutter, who led Calgary to a 38-27-17 record last season.
The Flames went 50-21-11 in in 2021-22 to finish with 111 points – the second-most in franchise history - before being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference semifinals.
Rain and the threat of lightning storms could not dampen Manchester City’s open-top bus parade to celebrate their treble success on Monday evening.
Thousands of fans had lined the streets to cheer on Pep Guardiola’s squad who secured the Champions League trophy with victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday night to add to the Premier League title and FA Cup.
Access to the stage show site on St Peter’s Square was initially delayed due to reports of adverse weather conditions and lightning storms in the area, with the club later confirming the start of the trophy parade from Beetham Tower on Deansgate was put back until 7pm.
The team took the tram to St Peter’s Square, where four buses set off down Deansgate and onto Cross Street, before heading via King Street, Brown Street and then Booth Street with the parade scheduled to finish at Nicholas Street.
Defender Nathan Ake held aloft the Premier League trophy to the delight of the City fans who had braved the rain, many following down on foot towards the stage celebrations once the route was clear.
Midfielder Phil Foden waved the Champions League trophy, while Guardiola smoked a cigar as he took in the scenes.
Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from June 12.
FootballAymeric Laporte slept well.
King Kevin.
Anything metal to check in?
City’s celebrations continued at an open-top bus parade through Manchester’s city centre.
Declan Rice arrived at England camp.
Usain Bolt secured another Soccer Aid win.
Birthday wishes.
Keeping cool in the pool.
Formula OneGeorge Russell celebrated with Jack Grealish.
Esteban Ocon met history-maker Novak Djokovic.
One of the most exciting wins…
CricketBen Stokes was ready for the Ashes.
Pat Cummins revelled in Australia’s success.
Things did not go to plan at Kent.
GolfNick Taylor won the Canadian Open on home soil in spectacular fashion.
Ian Poulter put in the hard yards.
Each year, scores of Jamaican student-athletes take up a variety of academic scholarships, primarily in track and field, swimming and football, to US universities.
That pool could be about to be widened as Darren Dyer, a 22-year-old Jamaican athlete, is making history as the first Jamaican to receive a frisbee scholarship to a US college.
Dyer, who attended St George's College and University of the Commonwealth Caribbean in New Kingston, is set to transfer to Davenport in Michigan to pursue a degree in networking with cybersecurity.
In an exclusive interview, Dyer shared his journey to receiving the scholarship and his aspirations to turn professional in the world of frisbee once he completes his education.
The concept of a frisbee scholarship may seem unconventional to many, but Dyer explains how the sport has been rapidly growing in recent years, transitioning from playing in local fields to occupying renowned football stadiums. "Now schools are investing more into the sport because they see opportunity just like other sports. Rugby, lacrosse, all those kind of sports that have grown, they're basically taking this opportunity now," Dyer explains.
Dyer's breakthrough came when a team from the US visited Jamaica to compete in a tournament. Impressed by his talent, Mike Zagman, Head Coach Men's and Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team at Davenport, reached out to American schools, sharing Dyer's footage and information.
This sparked interest from several institutions, revealing the untapped potential of Jamaican frisbee players.
"These opportunities are there; it's just that they don't really know that we play in Jamaica," Dyer remarks. "I'll be the first from Jamaica to be receiving this opportunity."
For those unfamiliar with frisbee, Dyer provides an overview of the game. Comparable to American football, it features end zones where players score goals by catching the frisbee. However, unlike football, frisbee is a continuous sport without frequent stoppages. "You throw the frisbee around as many times as you like until you score it on somebody," Dyer explains.
Similar to netball, players are not allowed to run with the frisbee once caught; instead, they have 10 seconds to release it. Different throws, such as forehand, backhand, overhead, and hammer, add variety and creativity to the game.
As Dyer embarks on this groundbreaking journey, he plans to make the most of his time at Davenport. Scheduled to start in August, he aims to leverage the exposure and training opportunities, including practicing with professional teams from the AUDL (American Ultimate Disc League) that will be using the Davenport facilities. With the sport gaining recognition, Dyer envisions a future where frisbee becomes a viable professional career option for Jamaicans.
Reflecting on his role as a trailblazer for Jamaica, Dyer expresses his optimism for the future of frisbee in his home country. "I see big things coming for Jamaica, especially in this sport," he says proudly. "I'm very proud of myself for getting this opportunity, and I believe more Jamaicans will start to become involved. All we used to play were other sports, and now with scholarships, I feel like more people will be encouraged to participate."
For those interested in joining the frisbee community in Jamaica, Dyer suggests reaching out to the Jamaica Ultimate Page on Instagram or contacting him directly at dar.dyrer on Instagram. He also mentions Zagman as a valuable resource for further information.
Darren Dyer's groundbreaking achievement not only highlights his personal success but also opens doors for future generations of Jamaican frisbee players.
The US Senate has launched an investigation into the planned commercial merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf.
Richard Blumenthal, chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation, has written to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan requesting all documents and information relating to the controversial agreement.
Blumenthal has raised concerns over the involvement of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns LIV Golf.
“PIF’s role as an arm of the Saudi government and PGA Tour’s sudden and drastic reversal of position concerning LIV Golf raise serious questions regarding the reasons for and terms behind the announced agreement,” Blumenthal writes.
“Prior to this agreement, PGA Tour was one of the loudest critics of LIV Golf’s affiliation with Saudi Arabia.”
Blumenthal also talks about the “risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over a cherished American institution” and notes that the PIF is using its investment in sport to “further the Saudi government’s strategic objectives”.
The PGA’s intention to preserve its tax-exempt status once the merger has been completed raises additional concerns, according to the Democratic Party senator for Connecticut.
The documents requested by the investigation must be provided by June 26, three weeks after news of the merger broke.
While signalling the end of a year of unprecedented disruption in the men’s professional game following the launch of the LIV Golf circuit, the arrangement is highly contentious and has been met with shock by some players.
Tyler Herro will reportedly attempt to return from a broken right hand Monday as the Miami Heat try to force a Game 6 in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets.
Herro has been out since sustaining the injury in the eighth-seeded Heat's playoff opener at the Milwaukee Bucks on April 16. He was upgraded to questionable Monday after being listed as out earlier in the day.
The 2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year combined for 38 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in two play-in games after averaging 20.1 points and setting career bests with 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game during the regular season.
Herro also established a career high with 203 made 3-pointers in 2022-23, the 18th-most in the league.
After the teams split the first two games of the NBA Finals in Denver, the Heat dropped the next meetings at home to head back to Denver trailing 3-1 in the series.
If the Heat win Monday, Game 6 will be in Miami on Thursday.
The Miami Heat will have Tyler Herro back from a broken right hand Monday as they try to force a Game 6 in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets.
Herro has been out since sustaining the injury in the eighth-seeded Heat's playoff opener at the Milwaukee Bucks on April 16. He was upgraded to questionable earlier Monday after being listed as out earlier in the day.
The 2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year combined for 38 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in two play-in games after averaging 20.1 points and setting career bests with 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game during the regular season.
Herro also established a career high with 203 made 3-pointers in 2022-23, the 18th-most in the league.
After the teams split the first two games of the NBA Finals in Denver, the Heat dropped the next meetings at home to head back to Denver trailing 3-1 in the series.
If the Heat win Monday, Game 6 will be in Miami on Thursday.
Heather Watson says it is difficult not to feel “hard done by” after a year of struggle on the tour following her career-best Wimbledon performance last season.
The 31-year-old produced the best grand slam display of her singles career in 2022 when she made the second week for the first time, eventually going out in the fourth round.
But it counted for nothing in the rankings as the WTA and ATP stripped the tournament of points in response to the decision to ban Russian and Belarussian players following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
In normal circumstances Watson would have received 240 points, which would have seen her ranking soar and then seen her gain automatic entry into other tournaments, but the reality saw her scratching around on the second-tier ITF Tour and she has not played in a grand slam since.
“It wasn’t Wimbledon’s fault, it wasn’t their choice but yeah, I do feel a little bit hard done by,” Watson, who beat Jule Niemeier in the first round at the Nottingham Open, told the PA news agency.
“It’s not their fault, but I wish I had the points, it would have been a very different story, but hey-ho.
“I feel like that after Wimbledon I went from an all-time high in my career and then not being awarded any points there really affected my tournament entries, being main draw in grand slams, I probably would have been main draw for the rest of the year and it just had a domino effect.
“I couldn’t get into WTA tournaments so I was playing ITFs and I was winning them all but the points are rubbish so it doesn’t help my ranking at all.
“You are playing top 100 girls in the ITF and I feel like dropping down to play was good for matches and you were playing players who aren’t the same level, but the strength in depth in women’s tennis has grown so much. Rankings-wise it has been a real rubbish year but I have actually won more matches.”
Her win over Niemeier in Nottingham will do little to boost her current ranking of 195, which will leave her needing a wild card if she is to get direct entry into this year’s event at SW19.
Asked whether she will have to qualify, she said: “I don’t know, I have applied for a wild card so I hope I get one.”
Fellow Brit Sonay Kartal is out, though, after a three-set loss to Pole Magdalena Frech.
The British number eight fought back after losing the first set, but Frech came on strong in the decider to ease through 6-3 5-7 6-2.
Top seed and world number eight Maria Sakkari beat Xiyu Wang 6-2 7-6 (6).
There are a host of home players in action on Tuesday, with new British number one Katie Boulter, who has taken over from Emma Raducanu, takes on compatriot Emily Appleton, with Harriet Dart, Katie Swan and Jodie Burrage also due on court.
Andy Murray will also be in action in the men’s Challenger event, fresh from his win at Surbiton last week.
Murray claimed his first title on home soil since Wimbledon in 2016 and is looking to build on that ahead of next month’s event at SW19.
The 36-year-old took part in a light practice on Monday with coach Ivan Lendl by his side.
Everton have begun overhauling their board by announcing a trio of departures led by chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, with the future of chairman Bill Kenwright set to be addressed in the next 48 hours.
Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp have left their roles a fortnight after the club escaped relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season.
Everton will announce their interim replacements, along with a decision on the future of Kenwright, this week.
Along with Kenwright, the three directors had been prevented from attending matches at Goodison Park since mid-January because of fan opposition that entailed “threats to safety and security”.
“The outgoing directors have worked tirelessly over recent months to assist with the preparation for a transition to a new board,” an Everton statement read.
“The club is very appreciative of this generous accommodation, which is both characteristic of them and entirely in the spirit of the best values of our club.”
Everton have cumulative losses of more than £430million and the exit of the directors was seen as inevitable with American investors MSP Sports Capital poised to buy into the club.
“We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton,” a statement from the three directors read.
“We have worked tirelessly alongside our chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as directors. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time here. We wish the club we have loved to serve every success in the future.”
Everton are being sued by former manager Carlo Ancelotti, court records show.
Online case listings show that Ancelotti, who is now in charge of Spanish giants Real Madrid, has taken High Court action against the Premier League club.
A claim has been filed in the commercial court, part of the High Court, in London and relates to “general commercial contracts and arrangements”.
The case is listed as Ancelotti v Everton Football Club Company Limited.
Listings give no further details.
The 64-year-old Italian managed Everton between December 2019 and June 2021, before leaving to take up the role of head coach at Real Madrid.
Thunderbear is “not going to make up the numbers” when he lines up in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Jack Davison-trained three-year-old notched up just his second victory at Nottingham on his penultimate start, but highlighted his potential for competing with regularity at Group level when knocking on the door in the Lacken Stakes at Naas last month.
The son of Kodi Bear was beaten little over a length when fourth to Aidan O’Brien’s The Antarctic on that occasion and he will now step up to seven furlongs for the first time this season when he represents Davison’s burgeoning operation at the Royal meeting.
“He will go for the Jersey and we can’t wait for it really, he’s a really progressive horse,” said the Irish handler.
“He’s more of a six or seven-furlong horse, but a fast one all the same and it’s great to have a competitor at Ascot once again.
“I don’t think there were any hiding places at Naas last time, it was a very strong renewal and I think the extra furlong here will bring about more improvement.
“It’s a big day for our small but hopefully expanding stable. We’ve been training for five years and this will be the fourth year with a runner at Royal Ascot. We’re not going to make up the numbers, we’re going to try to be competitive, so it is definitely exciting.”
Leeds have announced the release of Adam Forshaw and Joel Robles when their contracts expire later this month.
Midfielder Forshaw, 31, has spent the last five-and-a-half years with the club, but has been dogged by a hip problem, which kept him out for 22 months from October 2019.
Goalkeeper Robles, 32, joined on a free transfer from Real Betis last summer and started in Leeds’ last four Premier League games this season. Midfielder Stuart McKinstry has also been released.
Leeds said, when confirming their retained list: “The following players will be released when their contracts expire: Will Brook, Adam Forshaw, Stuart McKinstry, Joel Robles.
“Both Adam Forshaw and Joel Robles have been invited back to the club for pre-season training when the first team return in July.”
Forshaw, who made 12 Premier League appearances this season and close to 100 in all competitions for Leeds in total, agreed a one-year contract extension in 2022 and the club have opted not to take up the option of a further year.
Leeds were relegated to the Championship last month following three seasons in the top flight.
Pensee Du Jour puts her unbeaten record and lofty reputation on the line when she contests Sunday’s Prix de Diane at Chantilly.
The daughter of Camelot made it three from three when winning the Prix Penelope with supreme ease at Saint-Cloud in April and having won by a combined 13 and a half lengths in her outings so far, will now bid to give trainer Andre Fabre a fifth win in the fillies’ Classic.
Owned by Ballymore Thoroughbreds, for whom Fabre trained Miss France to win the 1000 Guineas in 2014 and also guided Persian King to a trio of Group One victories, connections are hopeful Pensee Du Jour will continue her progressive ways following a short break.
“She was a backwards filly last year and Andre thought he could win some black type early on this year,” said Anthony Stroud, racing manager for Ballymore.
“Then she developed and developed and she won three races. After she won those races we thought we would give her a bit of time, as she had run in those races quite quickly.
“I thought she won nicely and in a progressive way (in the Prix Penelope). She has had to make the running in her three races and it would be nice if she didn’t. She’s also had three different jockeys on, so it will be nice that she will have a bit of consistency next time.”
Pensee Du Jour’s potential rivals include Oaks winner Soul Sister and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches victor Blue Rose Cen at this stage, with Stroud admitting he would like some rain in the coming days as her previous wins have come with cut in the ground.
“I would hope she will handle the ground OK, but I would love to see a thunderstorm come along,” continued Stroud.
“I would like there to be some sort of rainfall. She’s never run on this ground but we know she goes with a bit of ease in the ground, so I would like a thunderstorm to appear.”
If Sunday’s Classic mission proves successful, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe could prove an enticing proposition later in the year considering Fabre’s impeccable record in Europe’s richest middle-distance contest and the filly’s proven attributes on soft ground.
Although preferring to focus on matters closer to hand, Stroud is allowing himself to briefly dream about such races later in the season, with him envisaging Pensee Du Jour’s future lying over further.
He added: “I could see her going up to a mile and a half down the line and I think as time goes on, she will get better as she is quite a physically big filly. But it’s not often you have a filly that has won all three of her races and she deserves her chance to take part in this race.
“I think the Arc would be a wonderful dream, but we have to take it step by step and this weekend coming is the next step.
“I’m sure she will have a break and we will see how she is and then we will be advised by Andre. Of course there is the Prix Vermeille and the Arc, but I think it is important to not get ahead of ourselves, get Sunday out of the way and go from there. But it’s good to have dreams.”
A total of 18 fillies remain in contention for the race, with Running Lion, who was withdrawn at the start at Epsom, standing her ground along with the likes of Oaks fourth Caernarfon, Never Ending Story, Jannah Rose and Left Sea.
Finlay Robertson looks forward to working under Tony Docherty after signing a new two-year deal at Dundee.
The 20-year-old midfielder came through the ranks at the Tayside club and made his debut at 16 against St Mirren on the last day of the 2018-19 season.
Robertson had a loan spell at Cove Rangers before returning to Dundee in January 2022, and he was part of last season’s Championship-winning squad under Gary Bowyer, who departed at the end of the season to be replaced by Docherty.
He told the club’s official website: “I am really happy to be extending my contract at the club for another two seasons.
“It’s a big season for everyone involved and I am really excited at the prospect of playing in the Premiership.
“I am really looking forward to working under the new manager and seeing how he likes to work.”
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