SPORTS DIGEST: USHL award winners

USHL award winners

Chicago, IL

Three players were named weekly award winners by the United States Hockey League.

Forward Jimmy Mullin of the Fargo Force was named the offensive player of the week; defenseman Rick Pinkston of Tri-City Storm was selected as the defensive player of the week; and Brady Hjelle of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders earned honors as the goaltender of the week.

Mullin recorded six points (3g, 3a) and a plus-four rating to lead the Force to a pair of weekend victories. He scored four points (2g, 2a) in the first period of the 6-1 win over Team USA on Friday.

Austin Kearns returns to Cleveland Indians

CLEVELAND

Even as he packed his bags for New York, Austin Kearns knew there was a good chance he would be back in Cleveland.

Kearns, who spent four months with the Indians last season before he was traded to the Yankees, returned to the club on Monday by agreeing to a $1.3 million, one-year contract.

Kearns made Cleveland’s roster out of training camp and was with the Indians until July 30, when he was dealt for pitcher Zach McAllister.

Kearns batted .272 with eight homers and 42 RBIs in 84 games for Cleveland. With the Yankees, he batted .235 with two homers and seven RBIs in 36 games.

The Indians made a priority of signing a right-handed hitting outfielder this offseason, and Kearns was available for the right price.

Kearns has a .257 average in a career that began with Cincinnati. He also played in Washington under Indians manager Manny Acta.

Kanaan finds new ride with de Ferran’s team

INDIANAPOLIS

Brazilians Gil de Ferran and Tony Kanaan will team up next season in the IndyCar Series.

De Ferran, the former Indianapolis 500 winner, has hired Kanaan, a former points champ, as his top driver for next season. It’s the first time the two countrymen have been on the same team.

Kanaan drove eight seasons for Michael Andretti’s team, won 14 races, the 2004 points title and was often asked to help set up cars for his teammates. Kanaan never finished outside the top six in the points chase.

When 7-Eleven pulled its sponsorship after last season, Kanaan and Andretti agreed to a settlement that made Andretti a free agent.

Two months later, Kanaan has found a new ride — with de Ferran Dragon Racing.

Nuns’ Honus Wagner card goes to new buyer

BALTIMORE

A new buyer has emerged for the rare Honus Wagner baseball card that was bequeathed to an order of Roman Catholic nuns in Baltimore.

The card was sold at auction last month for $220,000, but the winning bidder never paid. So Dallas-based Heritage Auctions contacted one of its longtime clients, a Philadelphia cardiologist, who immediately agreed to buy the card for the same price.

The money was sent by bank wire Monday to the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

The card was left to the School Sisters by the brother of a former nun after he died earlier this year. The man had owned the card since 1936. It’s in poor condition, but the Wagner card is the most sought-after baseball card in history. About 60 are known to exist.

Solo and Heath attending US camp

CHICAGO

Goalkeeper Hope Solo and midfielder Tobin Heath are returning to the U.S. women’s soccer team following injuries.

Solo had shoulder surgery in September. She will participate in light training but has not been cleared to play. Heath has been out since July 2009 because of illness and an ankle injury.

They are among 18 players who will attend a training camp from Jan. 8-13 at Carson, Calif.

The U.S. Soccer Federation said Monday that 15 players will be selected from the camp and go to a four-nations tournament in China next month along with eight veterans who are being given time off.

Vindicator staff/wire reports