Lightning re-sign Sergachev for $14.4M

The Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning have resigned defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to a three-year, $14.4 million contract.

General manager Julien BriseBois announced the deal.

The 22-year-old Sergachev skated in 70 games last season, scoring a career-high 10 goals and finishing with 34 points.

Islanders’ Boychuk retires: New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk has decided to retire as a result of an eye injury sustained last season.

The Islanders announced Boychuk’s decision to end his 13-year NHL career after the player had numerous and extensive medical exams. The 36-yearold Boychuk required stitches and plastic surgery after being cut across his right eyelid by the skate of Montreal Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen on March 3.

Boychuck has two years left on a seven-year, $42 million contract he signed in March 2015. He spent six seasons with the Islanders.

Sasakamoose loses battle with COVID-19: Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous players in the National Hockey League, has died after fighting COVID-19. He was 86.

Sasakamoose’s son, Neil, said in a video posted on Facebook that his father died Tuesday in Prince Albert Saskatchewan.

“This COVID virus just did so much damage into his lungs, he just couldn’t keep responding, his body just couldn’t keep up,” Neil Sasakamoose said in the video. “When I talked to him, I asked him how he was feeling, if he was scared. He said, ‘I’m not scared, I’m ready to go, if I got to go, I’m going to go.’ ”

Sasakamoose played 11 NHL games for Chicago in 1953-54, making his debut at 18 on Nov. 20, 1953, against Boston.

Sasakamoose died a week after finishing editing his memoir. “Call Me Indian: From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the NHL’S First Treaty Indigenous Player” is scheduled to be released in April 6.