Ziegler, NHL president who oversaw merger, dies at 84

John Ziegler, who oversaw the NHL’S merger with the World Hockey Association in his 15year run as league president, died Thursday of undisclosed causes. He was 84.

Ziegler was the NHL’S fourth president, succeeding Clarence Campbell in 1977. Two years later, the NHL merged with the WHA by adding the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques and Hartford Whalers.

Ousted in 1992 following the NHL’S first labor disruption of his tenure, Ziegler is credited with increasing the number of European and Russian players in the league.

College football: Southern California third-string redshirt freshman Jack Sears will start at quarterback Saturday, with freshman starter J.T. Daniels (concussion protocol) and sophomore backup Matt Fink (three broken ribs) out, coach Clay Helton said.

NBA: Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard (AC joint sprain in right shoulder) is expected to miss at least two weeks, and Atlanta Hawks forward Alex Poythress (capsular sprain and bone bruise in left knee) figures to miss at least three games, their teams said.

Baseball: New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, 33, underwent surgery to remove bone calcification in his left heel, the second of two foot operations the team hopes will enable him to return at some point next season.

Motor sports: Robert Wickens, 29, is paralyzed from the chest down from injuries suffered in an Aug. 19 crash at

Pocono Raceway, the Indycar driver publicly confirmed.