Last Week around the Leagues

This past week the XFL announced it will play its championship at Houston's TDECU Stadium on April 26th, Major League Lacrosse added a new team called the Connecticut Hammerheads and WorldTeam Tennis added a ninth team to the league called the Chicago Smash. Highlights from this week are from the XFL, Canadian Football League, NBA G League, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey Lea... Full Story

Florida Panthers Recall Aleksi Saarela from Springfield

SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Panthers have recalled forward Aleksi Saarela from Florida's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Saarela, 23, has appeared in three games with Florida this season. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound native of Helsinki, Finland, also played in 43 games for Springfield (AHL), recording 31 points (12-19-31), and five games for the Rockford Ice Hogs (AHL), notching one assist. Saarela has played in 195 career regular season AHL games over four season... Full Story

FC Cincinnati Head Coach Ron Jans Resigns

CINCINNATI - FC Cincinnati head coach Ron Jans resigned his position late Monday evening. He left the club after joining FCC on Aug. 4, 2019. "As Major League Soccer's investigation unfolded and some themes emerged, Ron offered his resignation and we agreed that it was the best course of action for everyone involved with FC Cincinnati," club president Jeff Berding said. "We place the utmost importance on a strong culture within our club, beginning in our locker room, and that every person connected with FC Cincinnati feels valued, respected and trusted. Racial and cultural diversity is a... Full Story

Artis-Payne, Thurman and Frazier Named OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week

Dallas Renegades running back Cameron Artis-Payne, DC Defenders linebacker Jameer Thurman and Seattle Dragons defensive end Marcell Frazier were named the OurSports Central XFL Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Unsung Hero of the Week, respectively, for week two of the XFL season. Cameron Artis-Payne finished with 14 carries for 99 yards two rushing touchdowns in the Dallas Renegades' 25-18 victory over the Los Angeles Wildcats. Artis-Payne also caught five passes for 32 yards. Artis-Payne, 29, played college football at Auburn and was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the... Full Story

• NJ Jackals Acquire RHP John Hayes; Sign C-1B Richard Stock to Contract Extension - New Jersey Jackals (FL)
• Atlanta United Promotes Liam Curran to First Team Goalkeeper Coach - Atlanta United FC (MLS)
• Impact Acquires England Youth International Centre-Back Luis Binks - Montreal Impact (MLS)
• Sky Blue FC Announces Move to New York Red Bulls Training Facility - Sky Blue FC (NWSL)
• FC Dallas Signs 2020 SuperDraft No. 14 Overall Pick Nkosi Burgess - FC Dallas (MLS)
• 'Canes Acquire Keane from Rangers - Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
• Cane Broome, Marvell Waithe Named Players of the Week - (NBL Canada)
• Blue Bombers Add Two to Roster - Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
• Utah Royals FC Rounds out Technical Staff with Addition of Louis Lancaster and Caitlin Young - Utah Royals FC (NWSL)
• Rangers Acquire Forward Julien Gauthier - Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
• All Today's Minor League News
  

• FC Cincinnati: Ron Jans resigns as head coach - MLS Cincinnati Enquirer
• For the Newfoundland Growlers, this is like the playoffs in February - ECHL St. John's Telegram
• BattleHawks see growing fan support with ticket sales - XFL FOX2
• Smekhnov a welcome addition as Jets push for playoffs - NAHL Janesville Gazette
• Heat beat San Diego in overtime, 3-2 - AHL Stockton Record
• Mavericks fighting for playoff lives again - ECHL Independence Examiner
• Nashville SC players celebrate the club building a soccer stadium - MLS Nashville Tennessean
• Erie Otters blank Steelheads on road - OHL Erie Times-News
• P-Bruins 3, Sound Tigers 2: Lagace stops 27 as Providence wins 3rd straight - AHL Providence Journal
• In second weekend, XFL still buzzing -- and DC Defenders still winning - XFL Washington Times
• All Today's Minor League Headlines

• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Artis-Payne, Thurman and Frazier Named OurSports Central XFL Players of the Week by Fran Stuchbury
• Baseball Mexico by Bruce Baskin
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Inside the XFL by Fran Stuchbury
• OSC Weekly Ratings Wrapup by David Carlson

Kelowna Rockets right wing Jonas Peterek (right) vs. the Calgary Hitmen (Marissa Baecker)

See All Today's Images The following minor league and alternative professional sports teams on OurSports Central have been viewed the most over the last seven days:

1. Connecticut Hammerheads - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
2. B.C. Lions - Canadian Football League (CFL)
3. Atletico Ottawa - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
4. Chicago Smash - World TeamTennis (WTT)
5. Frisco Fighters - Indoor Football League (IFL)
6. California Dogecoin of Fairfield - Pacific Association (PA)
7. Las Vegas - American Hockey League (AHL)
8. Columbus - Indoor Football League (IFL)
9. Worcester Red Sox - International League (IL)
10. Louisville Xtreme - American Arena League (AAL)

The most recent minor league and alternative professional sports teams added to OurSports Central:

• California Dogecoin of Fairfield - Pacific Association (PA)
• Connecticut Hammerheads - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
• Chicago Smash - World TeamTennis (WTT)
• Las Vegas - American Hockey League (AHL)
• Atletico Ottawa - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
• Louisville Xtreme - American Arena League (AAL)
• Pittsburg Anchors - Pecos League (Pecos)
• Martinez Mackerel - Pecos League (Pecos)
• Santa Cruz Seaweed - Pecos League (Pecos)
• Columbus - Indoor Football League (IFL)

OurSports Central provides coverage of select alternative and minor league professional sports leagues in addition to the top junior hockey leagues and college wood bat baseball leagues:

BASEBALL
Affiliated Minor League Baseball
ApL, AzFL, AzL, CalL, CarL, EL, FSL, GCL, IL, ML, MWL, NWL, NYPL, PCL, PL, SAL, SL, TL
College Wood Bat Baseball
Northwoods
Independent Minor League Baseball
AA, AtL, FL, PA, Pecos

BASKETBALL
Men's Minor League Basketball
BIG3, G League, NBL Canada
Women's Basketball
WNBA

FOOTBALL
Indoor/Arena Football
AAL, CIF, IFL, NAL
Outdoor Football
CFL, XFL

HOCKEY
Junior Hockey
NAHL, OHL, QMJHL, USHL, WHL
Minor League Hockey
AHL, ECHL, FPHL, SPHL
Women's Hockey
NWHL

LACROSSE
Indoor Lacrosse
NLL
Outdoor Lacrosse
MLL, PLL

OTHER
Other Sports
MLR
Other Women's
NPF, WTT

SOCCER
Indoor Soccer
MASL
Outdoor Soccer
CPL, MLS, USL, USL1
Women's Soccer
NWSL