June 23, 2012|Sports Digest
The Washington Capitals entered the 2012 NHL draft with more picks, 11, than any other team but with important holes to fill on next year's roster as well — before any of the prospects they select would be ready. So on Friday night at Consol Energy Center, in addition to choosing a pair of forwards in the first-round, general manager George McPhee made a move to improve the current roster immediately.
Washington acquired center Mike Ribeiro from the Dallas Stars for prospect Cody Eakin and the 54th overall pick. It's a deal that brings in the veteran playmaking presence that the organization has lacked for the past three years and begins what will be an offseason of change for the Capitals, who likely need to bring in a few more players via trade or free agency and must name a new coach.
"We wanted to add a little bit of skill to our lineup; I just didn't like the way we played in the playoffs. We've got some big gritty forwards and we just wanted to put another skilled guy in the middle of it to see if it helps," McPhee said of the trade for Ribeiro. He added that the Capitals are done interviewing coaching candidates and that he will shift his focus to choosing one once the draft weekend concludes.
Ribeiro, 32, has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of $5 million which gives the Capitals room to determine whether he is a long-term fit. The Montreal native had 18 goals and 45 assists for the Stars in 2011-12 for his eighth 50-point season and is expected to slot into the Capitals' lineup at second-line center.
The trade for Ribeiro was McPhee's biggest move of the night, but in the following hours he added Swedish forward Filip Forsberg with the 11th overall pick and gritty wing Thomas Wilson at No. 16.
Forsberg was the highest-ranked European skater by the NHL central scouting but surprisingly slipped to Washington as teams focused on defensemen.
Katie Carrera, The Washington Post
Running: Jorge Laurel of Crofton won the 40-44 age group of the 3.5-mile Run Amuck last Saturday in Quantico, Va., in 31 minutes, 22 seconds. Richard Dollins of Ellicott City won the 55-59 group in the obstacle and mud race in 35:58.
Major Indoor Soccer League: The league announced that a Chicago franchise will begin play for the 2012-13 season. The team, yet to be named, will play its home games at the Sears Centre Arena, which holds 9,400 for indoor soccer. The 2012-13 MISL alignment and schedule are expected to be released in August.
Softball: Stevenson coach Joey Lye was named to the Canadian women's national team that will represent her country at the Title IX 40th Anniversary Celebration Game against the United States tonight and the World Cup of Softball VII, which begins Wednesday.
Major League Soccer: D.C. United lent Kensington native Ethan White to the USL Pro Richmond Kickers for two home matches.
Bicycle motocross: Chesapeake BMX will hold an Olympic day today. Anyone may come to the Severn Dansa Park track at 750 Donaldson Ave. in Severn and race for free (no membership or race fees for this event). Participants must wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants and a full-face helmet. Helmets and bikes will be available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is from 10a.m. to noon with racing to follow. For information, go to chesapeakebmx.
Major League Lacrosse: The Chesapeake Bayhawks placed defenseman Andrew Sellers on the practice squad and activated midfielder Ben Hunt from injured reserve.
Men's college lacrosse: Four members of Loyola's NCAA champion team earned Academic All-ECAC Lacrosse League honors: graduate student Eric Lusby, senior Dylan Grimm and sophomores Kyle Duffy and Joe Fletcher.
College baseball: Johns Hopkins senior Alex Eliopoulos was named Pitcher of the Year on the ECAC Division III South All-Star team. Stevenson senior first baseman Justin Anderson (Calvert Hall) and senior designated hitter Tony Prescott (Howard) made the first team. Hopkins junior first baseman Jeff Lynch and Salisbury senior catcher Tyler Bennett made the second team. Salisbury's Doug Fleetwood was named Coach of the Year.
College football: Johns Hopkins junior wide receiver Dan Wodicka and junior right tackle Armand Jenifer were selected as DivisionIII preseason second-team All-Americans by Lindy's. Hopkins was one of six schools with two or more players named to the team and the only one of the six to have both of its selections be non-seniors.
—From Sun staff and news services
