Jacobs, Crocker share Patrick Trophy
Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, along with NHL scout and Boston University graduate Bob Crocker, yesterday were named co-recipients of the 2015 Lester Patrick Trophy, awarded annually for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
In a league announcement, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman noted that Jacobs “has provided unparalleled vision, innovation and inspiration to the advancement of hockey and the NHL.” He cited Crocker for having “devoted decades to the development of young American players.”
Jacobs and Crocker will be honored at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner, set to be held Dec. 17 in Boston.
Jacobs, who has owned the Bruins for 41 years, passed on the title of club CEO to his son Charlie Jacobs last year. He is also Chairman of Delaware North and has served as chairman the NHL’s Board of Governors since 2007. . . .
EA Sports is dropping Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane from promoting its NHL 16 video game because he is under police investigation. The popular video game company announced its decision on its Twitter account. Kane was to appear on the cover alongside Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. The decision comes less than a week after local police announced Kane is under investigation for something that may have happened at Kane’s home outside Buffalo on Aug. 2.
NBA: Bucks arena backed
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill that commits $250 million in taxpayer money to pay for a new arena for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
The presidential candidate signed the measure into law at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, surrounded by team officials, state lawmakers and others.
Taxpayers ultimately will pay about $400 million, including interest, over the next two decades. Current and former team owners will spend another $250 million on the arena and keep the Bucks from leaving the state.
Soccer: Wanchope quits
Costa Rican national team coach Paulo Wanchope resigned following involvement in a fistfight in Panama. Wanchope was watching his country’s under-23 team play in Panama on Tuesday when the scuffle broke out.
Costa Rica’s soccer federation said in a statement that Wanchope had decided to “step aside.”
Local news reports indicate Wanchope was irritated at refereeing during the pre-Olympic match, which ended 0-0. Video of the incident shows Wanchope angrily opening a gate to the field and shoving a youth standing behind it, while apparently receiving a shove from a man standing beside the gate. Wanchope then turns and punches the man, who kicks and hits him before police intervene. . . .
The World Cup-champion U.S. women’s national team will get home-country advantage early next year in the bid for a spot in the Rio Olympics.
CONCACAF, the governing body of soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, announced that its Olympic qualifying would be held Feb. 10-21 in the Dallas area and in Houston.
Eight teams, including the United States, Mexico and Canada, will be divided into two groups for matches at BBVA Compass Stadium, home to both the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Dash, and Toyota Stadium outside of Dallas in Frisco.
Misc.: Clemson LB done
Clemson linebacker Korrin Wiggins is out for the season after tearing an ACL in a team scrimmage. Wiggins was hurt trying to recover a fumble. He was one of just four returning players who started at least six games on Clemson’s No. 1 defense from a year ago. . . .
Michael Jordan’s lawyer told jurors at a civil trial over the unauthorized use of the star’s name in a steak ad that the market value of Jordan’s moniker to the Nike sportswear company was at least $480 million. Each commercial use of Jordan’s name is worth more than $10 million, he estimated. The pricetag on Jordan’s name is the central issue for jurors who will decide how much Dominick’s Finer Foods should pay in damages for a 2009 Sports Illustrated ad that congratulated the basketball legend by name on his Hall of Fame induction.