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Islanders to buy out center Yashin's contract
NEW YORK: Alexei Yashin's career with the New York Islanders officially ended Wednesday when the NHL team said they would buy out the last four years on his decade-long contract.
Center Yashin, Russia's former national team captain, has struggled with injuries for the last two years and missed 24 games this season because of a sprained right knee.
"This decision was one of the hardest I have ever had to make," Islanders owner Charles Wang said in a statement. "The organisation holds Alexei in the highest regard - as a player, as a team mate and as a person.
"He was part of the revival of the franchise at a time when we had not qualified for the playoffs for eight seasons. All of us at the Islanders wish Alexei nothing but the best as he continues his career."
Yashin played 346 games for the Islanders, scoring 119 goals and registering 171 assists for 290 points. His best season was in 2001-02 when he piled up 32 goals and 43 assists for 75 points in 78 games.
Donovan freed from coaching contract with Magic
MIAMI: The Orlando Magic released new coach Billy Donovan from his contract on Wednesday after he had expressed second thoughts about leaving the college ranks for the NBA.
Donovan, 42, coached the University of Florida to two consecutive NCAA titles before signing a five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Magic on Friday.
"As our signing of Billy Donovan showed, we are committed to winning a championship," the NBA team said in a statement.
"We have the legal right to hold Billy to the contract he signed but, with him having a change of heart about leaving college basketball, we want him at the University of Florida.
"We have granted him permission to break his commitment and return to the Gators."
Donovan led Florida to three trips to the NCAA title game and had a 261-103 record during his 11 years at the school. In April, the Gators became the first team to win back-to-back titles since Duke in 1991-92.
Quarterback Green completes move to Miami
MIAMI: Twice Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green was finally traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional fifth-round draft choice in 2008.
His long-awaited move was completed after he passed a medical and he is expected to join the Dolphins on Friday at the start of a three-day camp, the NFL team said.
Touted to replace Daunte Culpepper as the starting quarterback, Green will be reunited with new Dolphins coach Cam Cameron, his quarterback tutor for his first two seasons with the Washington Redskins in 1995 and 1996.
The 36-year-old, an eighth-round draft pick of San Diego in 1993, spent the last six seasons with the Chiefs, throwing for 21,459 yards and 118 touchdowns.
Pekerman takes over as coach of Mexico's Toluca
MEXICO CITY: Jose Pekerman, who steered Argentina to the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, was unveiled as coach of Mexican club Toluca on Wednesday.
Pekerman, appointed last week, has replaced compatriot Americo Gallego at the helm of Mexico's Red Devils, who last won a national title in 2005.
(China Daily 06/08/2007 page23)
