Professional hockey
FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) runs a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., in this Friday, May 14, 2021, file photo. Bills Safety Micah Hyde recalled being immediately impressed with general manager Brandon Beane for going big -- in numbers and size -- to address Buffalo's defensive-line needs during the NFL draft. Using Buffalo's top two picks to select 6-foot-6, 266-pound Greg Rousseau and 6-3, 281-pound Carlos Basham not only adds bulk up front, the benefits should filter back to the secondary.(AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)
Bills retooled defense making big impression already in camp

By John Wawrow Jul. 30, 2021 04:02 PM EDT

Raiders excited for chance to finally play for home crowd

W.g. Ramirez Jul. 29, 2021 05:28 PM EDT
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders have attended many Vegas Golden Knights games and know how vibrant the local fanbase can be, as the four-year old...

Nashville prospect comes out as gay in NHL milestone

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 19, 2021 10:16 AM EDT
A Nashville Predators prospect has come out as gay, a milestone moment for the sport of hockey as the first player signed to an NHL contract to make that...

FILE - In this June 2, 2021, file photo, Washington Football Team helmets are on the field during an NFL football OTA at Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Va. Washington's NFL team will not be called the Warriors or have any other Native American imagery in the new name when it's revealed next year. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez, File)
Year since Washington change, Native sports imagery evolving

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 13, 2021 02:49 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos holds up the Stanley Cup as teammate defenseman Victor Hedman, right, looks on as they celebrate the teams Stanley Cup victory with a boat parade Monday, July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Lightning dent Stanley Cup after another Tampa boat parade

Jul. 12, 2021 05:31 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice before the start of the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
'Fast and furious' NHL offseason to unfold over three weeks

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 09, 2021 06:08 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate their series win over the Montreal Canadiens to clinch the Stanley Cup in Game 5 of the NHL hockey finals, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning 7/7/2021

Jul. 07, 2021 11:04 PM EDT

A Tampa Bay Lightning fan and a Montreal Canadiens fan react as they watch coverage of the end of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, outside the Bell Centre in Montreal on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
'Champa Bay' celebrates third pro title in less than a year

By Fred Goodall Jul. 07, 2021 11:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Nassib on Monday, June 21, 2021, became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib announced the news on Instagram, saying he was not doing it for the attention but because “I just think that representation and visibility are so important.” (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

By Arnie Stapleton Jun. 21, 2021 07:03 PM EDT

A New York Islanders fan walks outside Nassau Coliseum before Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey semifinals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders 6/17/2021

Jun. 17, 2021 09:10 PM EDT

New York Islanders players celebrate a goal by Brock Nelson during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning 6/15/2021

Jun. 17, 2021 06:12 PM EDT

New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinals, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Defend NY: Jets bond while supporting Islanders in playoffs

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Jun. 17, 2021 06:11 PM EDT

Fans watch New York Islanders' Brock Nelson, second from right celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 6 during an NHL hockey second-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Boston Bruins at New York Islanders 6/9/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 05:34 PM EDT

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy, center, instructs his team during a timeout in the third period of Game 5 against the New York Islanders during an NHL hockey second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Islanders at Boston Bruins 6/7/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 05:34 PM EDT

Fans watch New York Islanders' Brock Nelson, second from right celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 6 during an NHL hockey second-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
'New York Saints' moniker catches on during Islanders run

By Stephen Whyno Jun. 11, 2021 05:30 PM EDT

Green Bay Packers' head coach Matt LaFleur watches during an NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Latest: CFL clears hurdle in bid to return this year

By The Associated Press Jun. 10, 2021 03:36 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) reacts after the team's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche 6/2/2021

Jun. 03, 2021 01:16 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) reacts after the team's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The Latest: Nuggets, Avalanche arena OK for full capacity

By The Associated Press Jun. 03, 2021 01:15 PM EDT

Florida Panthers center Noel Acciari (55) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) fall to the ice during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Monday, May 24, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers 5/24/2021

May. 24, 2021 10:54 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) stops the puck during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers, Monday, May 24, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Knight time: Rookie saves 36, Panthers top Lightning 4-1

By Tim Reynolds May. 24, 2021 10:51 PM EDT