Coyotes defenseman Murphy named U.S. captain for World Championship

Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy has been named captain of the 2017 U.S. Men’s National Team, USA Hockey announced.

Murphy has played 38 games for Team USA, the most of any player on the 23-man roster. He is making his fourth appearance on the U.S. Men’s National Team, having competed in each of the previous three seasons.

Forwards Brock Nelson (Islanders) and Dylan Larkin (Red Wings) have been named alternate captains.

Team USA is in Italy to face the Italians Tuesday in its lone exhibition game in advance of the May 5-21 World Championship.

The U.S. will then head to Cologne, Germany, where it will face host Germany on Friday at 5:15 p.m. MST (game live on NHL Network).

Coyotes sign 2016 third-round draft pick Dineen to entry-level contract

The Coyotes signed defenseman Cam Dineen, their 2016 third-round pick (68th overall), to an entry-level contract. The 18-year-old Dineen played in 29 games with the North Bay Battalion (OHL) and collected six goals and eight assists.

High school tennis champions crowned

At the AIA State Tennis tournament held at Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale last Saturday, the following doubles teams won state titles: Div. I boy's doubles - Maximo Lawlor and Austin Todd, Goodyear Millennium; Div. II boy's doubles Sam Miyata and Colin McConnon, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows; Div. III boy's doubles - Dallin Cook and Logan McMaster, Thatcher; Div. I girl's doubles - Grace Koester and Erin Hannen, Scottsdale Chaparral; Div. II girl's doubles - Katie Reed and Jill Rasmussen, Phoenix Arcadia; Div. III girl's doubles Kay Lee Merrill and Carli Merrill, Benson.

Smith, Blixt win Zurich Classic in playoff

AVONDALE, La. - The team of Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt won the Zurich Classic on the fourth playoff hole on Monday to beat Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown, capturing a new-format tournament that had been held over a day because of darkness.

Smith hit his approach shot within a couple feet of the pin, and the Aussie sank a birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole to give himself and his Swedish teammate the victory.