Patrick Kane and James vanRiemsdyk were selected first and second in the NHL draft on Friday, the first time US players comprised the first two choices in the US league's annual ritual of restocking teams.
The Chicago Blackhawks, trying to rebuild a once-proud franchise after four consecutive losing seasons, selected Kane with the No. 1 pick.
Then, the Philadelphia Flyers picked left wing vanRiemsdyk, a member of the US National Team Development Program.
PHOTO: AP
"It's good to have the No. 1 and No. 2 picks," said Kane, a right wing who had 62 goals and 83 assists in 58 games last year for the major junior side London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.
"It's unbelievable," he said. "It's good to see the Americans start coming into the league."
With the third pick, Phoenix took Kyle Turris, the highly touted center who's already committed to play at the University of Wisconsin. The Los Angeles Kings selected defenseman Thomas Hickey with pick No. 4 -- surprising many of the experts -- and the Washington Capitals grabbed the top-rated defenseman, Karl Alzner, at No. 5.
The packed Nationwide Arena was swathed in red, white and blue because they're the colors of the host Columbus Blue Jackets. After the first two picks, the color scheme took on new significance.
"It's amazing. It's something I'll never forget," vanRiemsdyk said. "It just shows how American hockey has taken huge strides. Two Americans going with the first two picks -- it's an honor. I'm happy to be a part of it."
US players took two of the top three spots in 1983 and 2005.
After Edmonton selected center Sam Gagner, a teammate of Kane's in London, the biggest roar of the night came when the host Columbus Blue Jackets grabbed right wing Jakub Voracek. He comes from the same town -- Kladno, Czech Republic -- as New York Rangers star Jaromir Jagr, who has 621 goals and 907 assists in his 16-year career in the NHL.
Boston then took center Zach Hamill and San Jose traded up with St. Louis to get center Logan Couture.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely