The Muskegon Lumberjacks are No. 1 in the IHL and No. Zero for the future.
The Muskegon Chronicle reported Monday that the Lumberjacks – who lead the International Hockey League standings – will fold at the end of this season. A junior team from the United States Hockey League will replace them in Muskegon.
“There are issues in the minor pro system today,” Lumberjacks president Jeff Patulski told the Chronicle. “We had to be sure we got through 50 years. But we view it as the minor pro business model is not sustainable in the long term.”
The Lumberjacks will be the second major defection from the seven-team IHL in two seasons. The Kalamazoo Wings fled to the ECHL at the end of last season.
In the USHL, the Chronicle reported, the Lumberjacks will be owned by Indianapolis businessman John Mervis. Current co-owners Jeff and Stacey Patulski will be retained along with general manager Tim Taylor.
The IHL is holding its annual two-day meetings through today.
AUTO RACING
Former F1 driver in NASCAR Truck
Former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet Jr. will enter the NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Red Horse Racing announced that Piquet will enter the No. 1 Toyota in Friday’s race at Daytona. The Brazilian driver has tested several times with Red Horse and made his stock-car debut in Saturday’s ARCA race at Daytona. He started seventh and finished 27th.
BASEBALL
Around the Majors
The Chicago White Sox are taking Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio’s number, 11, out of retirement for newly acquired 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel. … Randy Winn and the New York Yankees finalized a $1.1 million, one-year contract. … Former major league manager Bob Melvin has been hired as a professional scout by the New York Mets, who also brought back Mookie Wilson as their minor league outfield and base running coordinator. … The Baseball Hall of Fame will hold a second annual Hall of Fame Classic on Father’s Day this year. … Second baseman Skip Schumaker and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $4.7 million, two-year deal. … Seattle said left-hander Cliff Lee is recovering from minor left foot surgery to remove a bone spur.
BASKETBALL
Irish freshman honored again
Notre Dame freshman guard Skylar Diggins was named the Big East Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season. Diggins averaged 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals as the Irish (21-1, 8-1) picked up a couple of league wins over Rutgers and Pittsburgh.
Pacers lose Foster for rest of season
Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will miss the rest of the season because of back pain. The Pacers announced that Foster will have surgery after the All-Star break. He is expected to be ready for training camp in the fall. The Pacers also are without rookie forward Tyler Hansbrough, who has been out since Jan. 16 with an inner-ear infection.
Carter scores 48 to rally Magic
Vince Carter had a season-high 48 points, leading host Orlando back from a 17-point second-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Hornets 123-117. Dwight Howard added 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Rashard Lewis finished with 18 points for the Magic.
Around the NBA
Delonte West, who has missed the last eight games with a broken left ring finger, could return when Cleveland plays host to New Jersey today. … Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman will replace Portland’s Brandon Roy in the All-Star game. … The snowed-out game between Atlanta and Washington, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been rescheduled for March 11.
Hamilton girls fall in sectional
Marla Zumfelde’s 24 points carried Bethany Christian to a 56-50 victory over Hamilton in the Class A sectional at Hamilton. Lindsey Stoy was the lone Hamilton player in double figures, also with 24.
FOOTBALL
Browns release receiver Stallworth
The Cleveland Browns released receiver Donte’ Stallworth. Stallworth was suspended for the 2009 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida. He spent 24 days in jail. Goodell said Friday that Stallworth would be reinstated after the Super Bowl.
HOCKEY
Around the NHL
The president of the Montreal Canadiens says Bob Gainey is stepping aside as general manager and being replaced by Pierre Gauthier. … Dallas activated center Mike Ribeiro a month after he was injured when a stick accidentally hit his throat in a game against the New York Rangers.
