STEPHEN WHYNO

AP Hockey Writer

Kevin Durant attends Washington Commanders camp as a fan

Kevin Durant was among those in attendance for the second open practice of Washington Commanders training camp. The NBA star is a longtime Washington football fan who grew up in the area in Seat Pleasant, Maryland.

Fans return to Washington Commanders camp to celebrate the team’s ownership change

Washington Commanders fans returned in droves to witness the team’s first public practice of training camp. It came a week after the NFL approved and finalized the sale of the franchise from longtime owner Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris.

Commanders camp opens with new owner Josh Harris in attendance and the buzz of a ‘clean slate’

The first practice of Washington Commanders training camp under new ownership definitely felt different than any opening day in decades. It was the first since Josh Harris’ group bought the team from longtime owner Dan Snyder.

Carolina Hurricanes sign center Sebastian Aho to an 8-year contract extension worth $78 million

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed top center Sebastian Aho to an eight-year contract extension worth $78 million. It’s the richest contract in franchise history.

Ron Rivera says he has a lot to prove to the new Commanders ownership group

Ron Rivera says he has a lot to prove to the new owners of Washington Commanders. He’s going into his fourth season as Washington’s coach and director of football operations.

NFL owners unanimously OK the Commanders sale to Josh Harris; Dan Snyder fined $60M on the way out

NFL owners have unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris. The deal is for a North American professional sports record of $6.05 billion.

Josiah Gray was the early face of the Nationals’ rebuild. Now he’s an All-Star

Josiah Gray became the early face of the Washington Nationals’ rebuild when he was part of the return in the trade of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Two years later he’s an All-Star for the first time.

Former Commanders center Chase Roullier announces he’s retiring after 2 major injuries

Former Washington Commanders center Chase Roullier is retiring seven weeks shy of his 30th birthday. Roullier announced the decision in a post on Instagram. Two major injuries limited him to a total of 10 games over the past two NFL seasons.

Sparked by Elly De La Cruz, the Cincinnati Reds are winning and having plenty of fun doing it

The Cincinnati Reds are rolling toward the All-Star break on pace for just their second playoff appearance in a decade. Rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz is lighting the spark for the young team that’s winning a lot and having plenty of fun doing it.

Vegas Golden Knights are the first team to get the Stanley Cup engraved before their summer parties

The Vegas Golden Knights are the first NHL team to have the Stanley Cup engraved before the summer days when players, coaches and executives get to celebrate around the world with hockey’s hallowed trophy.

Kennedy wins in his major league return and De La Cruz has 4 hits as the Reds beat the Nats 8-4

Brett Kennedy won in his return to the majors as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 8-4 thanks to a big offensive showing. Kennedy struck out three and allowed four runs in his first major league game since 2018.

Joey Votto hits a two-run home run to snap an 0-for-21 drought as the Reds beat the Nationals

Joey Votto hit a two-run home run to help the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 3-2. It’s Votto’s fourth homer in 12 games this season coming off a 10-month absence recovering from surgery.

Churchill Downs extends trainer Bob Baffert’s ban through 2024

Churchill Downs is extending trainer Bob Baffert’s suspension through 2024 citing continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing he poses.

A new women’s hockey league launches in January. There’s plenty of work to do before then

The stage is set for a new women’s hockey league to begin in January. The Professional Hockey Federation was bought out and members of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association unanimously ratified a collective bargaining agreement and constitution.

Flyers sign defenseman Marc Staal to a 1-year deal while the Leafs add Max Domi

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed veteran defenseman Marc Staal to a $1.1 million contract for next season. Staal is coming off helping the Florida Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Final.

Predators are winners and players seeking long contracts are among the losers in NHL free agency

The Nashville Predators, defensive defenseman Ryan Graves and some top goaltenders are among the winners in NHL free agency. Most players looking for long-term contracts and much of Western Canada factor among the losers.

Short contracts and bonus money prove to be popular in NHL free agency this year

Short contracts with some including performance bonuses were popular early in NHL free agency. Players and teams all know the salary cap that went up just $1 million for a second consecutive year is set for a much bigger leap next summer.

Penguins keep Jarry and Senators sign Korpisalo as goalies shuffle around in NHL free agency

The Pittsburgh Penguins paid big to keep their two-time All-Star, and the Ottawa Senators ponied up to shore up their situation as goaltenders shuffled around on the first day of NHL free agency.

Capitals acquire Edmundson and Stars trade Miller to the Devils on 1st day of NHL free agency

A handful of trades materialized around the NHL on the first day of free agency. Just not the blockbuster everyone is waiting for. Erik Karlsson remains with San Jose after his 101-point Norris Trophy-winning season.

Mike Babcock returns to the NHL as the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets

Mike Babcock is back in the NHL as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets announced Saturday they’ve hired the Stanley Cup winner to take over behind the bench. Babcock is returning to the league after a hiatus of almost four years.

Mike Babcock returns to the NHL as the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets

Mike Babcock is back in the NHL as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets announced Saturday they’ve hired the Stanley Cup winner to take over behind the bench. Babcock is returning to the league after a hiatus of almost four years.

Vegas Golden Knights re-sign goalie Adin Hill to a 2-year deal on the eve of free agency

The Vegas Golden Knights have re-signed Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Adin Hill to a two-year deal worth almost $10 million.

A new pro women’s hockey league is set to launch in January with 6 teams in North America

Golden Knights trade Reilly Smith to the Penguins and re-sign Ivan Barbashev for 5 years

The Vegas Golden Knights have traded forward Reilly Smith to the Pittsburgh Penguins and re-signed Ivan Barbashev. The Stanley Cup champions signed Barbashev to a five-year contract worth $25 million.

Avalanche trade for Ross Colton from the Lightning. They’re expected to lose J.T. Compher

The Colorado Avalanche have acquired forward Ross Colton from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The move almost certainly spells the end of J.T. Compher’s time with the Avalanche.

Alex Killorn, J.T. Compher and Patrick Kane are among the NHL free agents to watch

Recent Stanley Cup champions Alex Killorn, J.T. Compher and Patrick Kane are among the top players to watch when NHL free agency begins Saturday. The crop of available forwards also includes longtime Chicago captain Jonathan Toews.

Sharks acquire goalie Mackenzie Blackwood from the Devils and are working to trade Erik Karlsson

The San Jose Sharks have acquired goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood from the New Jersey Devils for a sixth-round pick. They are still working to trade Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson.

NHL, players unveil inclusion coalition they hope will help make hockey more diverse and welcoming

The NHL and NHLPA are launching a new Player Inclusion Coalition aimed at diversifying hockey and making it more welcoming. The 20-member group includes current and former men’s and women’s players with minority and LGBTQ+ representation.

Where to pick Matvei Michkov and other Russian players is a top question at the NHL draft

Matvei Michkov is probably the best hockey prospect out of Russia in nearly a decade. He might be the best since Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin in 2005.

NFL owners plan to meet July 20 and potentially vote to approve the Commanders sale, AP source says

A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that NFL owners are set to meet July 20 to consider and potentially vote to approve the sale of the Washington Commanders.