Thursday, May 28, 2015
Phantoms’ Connor earns USHL honors
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Phantoms forward Kyle Connor has been named the USHL’s Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.
Connor, who will play for the University of Michigan this fall, is first Phantom to earn either award.
Connor had a career year for the Phantoms, leading the League with 80 points (34 goal, 46 assists). During the Phantoms’ 17-game winning streak in February and March, he accounted for 15 goals and 15 assists.
“It was a special year for Kyle, and he took tremendous strides as a 200-foot player while also being the most productive offensive player in the League,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said. “He will certainly be missed in Youngstown because of the way he played on the ice and how he carried himself.”
Connor’s 25 power play assists and nine game-winning goals were USHL highs. He tied for the league-lead in power play points with 32
“This is definitely the best junior league in all of North America, and any team can win on any night,” Connor said.
He wrapped up his USHL career with 82 goals and 113 assists for 195 points in 174 career games, and is projected to be taken in the top half of the first round in the NHL Draft in June.
Williams ready for Steelers role
PITTSBURGH
DeAngelo Williams is ready to begin the second act of his NFL career in Pittsburgh.
The longtime Carolina Panthers running back signed a two-year deal to join the Steelers in March. While the 32-year-old Williams is Carolina’s all-time leading rusher he understands he will serve as a backup to All-Pro Le’Veon Bell in Pittsburgh.
Williams, however, will likely start 2015 as the starter. Bell is appealing a three-game suspension following his arrest on marijuana and DUI charges last summer but will almost certainly miss time. Williams says he’s ready to carry a heavy workload until Bell is cleared.
Bylsma interviews for Sabres’ job
BUFFALO, N.Y.
Former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma’s interview for the Buffalo Sabres’ vacancy extended into Wednesday night, though a deal had not been reached.
A person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press that while talks “were heating up,” but there was no “definitive” agreement. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres have declined to discuss their search to replace Ted Nolan, who was fired last month.
The person added that the interview took place in Buffalo and included Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula and general manager Tim Murray.
Bylsma spent five-plus seasons in Pittsburgh, where he won the 2009 Stanley Cup championship and was the NHL’s 2011 coach of the year. He was fired a year ago after winning a franchise-best 252 games.
Though his contract doesn’t expire until June 2016, he has the Penguins’ permission to seek other jobs.
NFL lineman arrested again
SANTA CLARA, Calif.
NFL lineman Ray McDonald has been arrested for the second time this week. The Santa Clara Police Department says the former San Francisco defensive end violated a restraining order by being at a residence in Santa Clara on Wednesday.
The restraining order was issued after an earlier domestic violence incident in Santa Clara on Memorial Day. In that incident, he allegedly broke down a bedroom door to get to his ex-fiancee and their infant.
He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and child endangerment, but was free on bail. The Chicago Bears released the lineman Monday following that arrest.
On Wednesday, Santa Clara detectives arrested McDonald at a Togo’s Sandwiches.
Staff/wire report