Border restrictions could hamper NHL restart
The NHL is still more than a week away from determining a return-to-play format, a person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
And what that plan resembles could be complicated further should the U.S. and Canada extend border restrictions to non-essential travel into July, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are private.
The person spoke after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced border restrictions will stay in effect through June 21. This marks the second time the restrictions have been extended since first being put into place March 18 because of the new coronavirus pandemic.
“I am hopeful that today's announcement will not have a material impact on our return to play discussions and timeline,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email.
Though the NHL has left open the possibility of having training camps open as late as early August, it was unclear what effect further border restrictions will have on a league with seven of its 31 teams based in Canada.
There's also a question of how travel restrictions will affect players, many of whom have returned to their offseason homes — including about 17% of players currently self-isolating overseas.
SETON HALL LANDS BIG MAN
Center Jeff Ngandu , a native of the Congo who played scholastically in Canada, has signed a letter of intent to play at Seton Hall.
Coach Kevin Willard announced the 6-foot-9 big man joined the Big East Conference basketball program on Tuesday.
Ngandu attended Orangeville Prep, which went 19-0 in winning the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association championship last season. One of his top performances was a 12point, 13-rebound game in October.
The Pirates were nationally ranked and on the verge of earning their fifth straight bid to the NCAA Tournament when the season was canceled two months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. Senior center Romaro Gill won't be back next season, leaving 7foot-2 junior Ike Obiagu in the middle.
MARTE’S WIFE DIES
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Starling Marte announced on social media that his wife Noelia has died of a heart attack.
“Today I go through the great pain of making public the unfortunate death of my wife Noelia, due to a heart attack,” Marte wrote on Instagram on Monday. “It is a moment of indescribable pain. On behalf of my family, I am grateful for the expressions of esteem and solidarity in this difficult time.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of tragic passing of Noelia Marte,” the Diamondbacks wrote on social media. “Starling and his family are part of the D-backs' family and we will do all we can to support him and their children during this incredibly difficult time.”
The 31-year-old Marte has played his entire eight-year big league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being traded to the Diamondbacks during the offseason.
MLS CANCELS ALL-STAR GAME
Major League Soccer's AllStar Game has been canceled for the first time in its quartercentury history because of the coronavirus pandemic.
MLS All-Stars had been scheduled to play counterparts from Mexico's Liga MX on July 29 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. MLS said Tuesday that the 2021 game will take place at Banc of California Stadium, most likely against All-Stars from Liga MX.
The third Campeones Cup between the MLS and Liga MX champions also was canceled, along with the second edition of the Leagues Cup between teams from those two leagues.
MLS was stopped two games into its season in midMarch because of the pandemic. The league is considering having all 26 teams resume play with a tournament at Walt Disney World outside Orlando.