
AVALANCHE-ROY
Avalanche hire Patrick Roy as coach
DENVER (AP) - Patrick Roy (wah) has been hired as coach of the Colorado Avalanche.
The team said Thursday it had reached an agreement in principle with the Hall of Fame goaltender to take over as coach and vice president of hockey operations.
The 47-year-old Roy won two Stanley Cups with Colorado. He becomes the sixth coach in Avalanche history and the 14th in franchise history; the team began as the Quebec Nordiques and joined the NHL in 1979.
Roy has spent the last eight seasons as coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, winning the 2006 Memorial Cup.
He is also a part owner of the QMJHL franchise.
US-KRZYZEWSKI
Krzyzewski returning to coach USA Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski (shuh-SHEF'-skee) is back as the U.S. men's national team coach and ready for another run at Olympic gold.
During a news conference at Duke on Thursday, Krzyzewski called it the "ultimate honor" to represent his country.
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, speaking by teleconference, said the job is "a perfect fit" for Krzyzewski.
Krzyzewski took over as coach as Colorado Springs-based USA Basketball began its national-team program in 2005. Since then, Krzyzewski has led the U.S. men's team to Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
He also led the Americans to the gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
The U.S. men's national team has a 50-game winning streak dating back to 2006.
BRONCOS-NALEN
Nalen says he tried to hurt Olshansky in '06
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Former Denver Broncos center Tom Nalen made up for all those "no comments" during his 15-year career during an extraordinary half hour Thursday that at times showed precisely why he was wise to stay silent rather than speak his mind.
While meeting with the media to talk about his election into the team's Ring of Fame, Nalen insisted he wasn't a dirty player but admitted he tried to injure San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Igor Olshansky in a game in 2006.
Nalen dived at Olshansky's knees while his quarterback was spiking the ball. Olshansky threw punches at Nalen and was ejected.
Nalen insisted it wasn't a cheap shot but payback for what had happened on the previous play.
At the time, his teammates said Olshansky had grabbed Nalen's facemask.
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CARDINALS-MATHIEU
Cardinals sign DB-KR Mathieu
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (TY'-ran MATH'-yoo) has signed a 4-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
The team's third-round draft pick, Mathieu did not play last season after repeated off-field issues.
Nicknamed "Honey Badger," Mathieu was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011. He was kicked off LSU's team before the start of last season for failed drug tests.
His image and NFL future took another hit a few weeks later when he and three former teammates were arrested on marijuana charges after police officers found 10 bags of pot and drug paraphernalia in his Baton Rouge apartment.
In two seasons at LSU, Mathieu recovered eight fumbles, returning two for touchdowns, forced 11 fumbles, made four interceptions and 133 tackles, and had six sacks.
He returned two punts for score.
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