STEPHEN WHYNO

AP Hockey Writer

Rick Tocchet speaks during his induction ceremony into the Philadelphia Flyers' Hall of Fame before an NHL hockey game between the Flyers and the Calgary Flames, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, file)

Philadelphia Flyers hire Rick Tocchet as coach, turning to alum to end their playoff drought

The Philadelphia Flyers have hired Rick Tocchet as their coach, hoping his return to the franchise will push them out of an extended rebuild and into playoff contention.

Carolina Hurricanes' Jack Roslovic, second left, celebrates his goal with Brent Burns (8), Logan Stankoven (22), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) and Taylor Hall (71) during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Semi-final round playoff series against the Washington Capitals in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Hurricanes and Stars ride stellar special teams to the verge of the conference finals

The Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are each one win away from winning their second-round series and moving on to the conference finals.

Jockey Raul Mena, who is slated to ride Pay Billy in the Preakness Stakes horse race, poses Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno)

Jockey who broke 24 bones and spent 5 weeks in a coma from a 2011 fall to ride in the Preakness

In 2011, jockey Raul Mena broke 24 bones and was in a coma for five weeks after getting thrown from a horse during a race in his native Chile. Doctors told him he would never ride again.

Secretariat, right, leads the field coming out of the final turn as he heads for the finish line to wn in the 98th Preakness Stakes Saturday, May 19, 1973 at at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/File)

The 150th Preakness is the last at old Pimlico before demolition. Winners share their top memories

The wrecking ball is just about hovering over Pimlico Race Course, with a complete knockdown and rebuild of the grandstand and other facilities coming. But first comes the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes.

Preakness Stakes entrant American Promise, right, works out next to Black-Eyed Susan Stakes entrant Princess Aliyah, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Lukas looks to ‘turn the page’ on American Promise in the Preakness after a troubled Derby trip

American Promise endured a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby on the way to a 16th-place finish in a field of 19 horses. He’ll race again two weeks later in the Preakness on Saturday with 89-year-old Hall of Fame trainer D.

Kentucky Derby entrant Journalism works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Journalism opens as the 8-5 morning line favorite for the 150th Preakness Stakes

Journalism is the morning line favorite for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. The Kentucky Derby runner-up opened at odds of 8-5.

Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) celebrates his goal in the second period of Game 2 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Capitals look more like themselves in beating the Hurricanes 3-1 in Game 2 to tie series

Connor McMichael and John Carlson scored, Logan Thompson made 27 saves and the Washington Capitals beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in Game 2 to tie the second-round playoff series. Tom Wilson sealed it with an empty-net goal with a minute left.

Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) chases the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Mikko Rantanen and other trade deadline additions are having big impacts on the NHL playoffs

Mikko Rantanen has shown exactly why Dallas was willing to pay a hefty price to acquire him. Logan Stankoven has fit in perfectly going from the Stars to Carolina, with Taylor Hall and Mark Jankowski also playing well.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) reaches for the puck during the second period of Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Capitals and Golden Knights are the latest to blow leads this NHL playoffs and need to fix problems

The Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights each led going into the third period of Game 1 of their second-round series at home.

United States' Dylan Larkin (left) celebrates his goal against Canada with Matt Boldy, left to right, Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber during second period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

After Larkin’s challenge, some top US players commit to worlds with Milan Olympics on the horizon

After the U.S. lost to Canada in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, Dylan Larkin implored his fellow Americans to go to the world hockey championship after their NHL seasons are over to get the kind of international experience that might put them over the top at the Olympics and other big events.

Utah Mammoth is the permanent name of the NHL team in Salt Lake City

The NHL team in Salt Lake City is now known as the Utah Mammoth. Owners Ryan and Ashley Smith unveiled the franchise’s permanent name Wednesday after more than a year of fan input and voting.

Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, left, crosses the finish line to win the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

No Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty in Preakness highlights some philosophical horse racing changes

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty is not running in the Preakness Stakes and that means for a fifth time in the past seven years there is no chance of a Triple Crown champion going into the race.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) grabs the puck in the first period of Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Frederik Andersen returns from missing end of 1st round to help Hurricanes beat Capitals in Game 1

Frederik Andersen returned to the Carolina Hurricanes’ net at the start of the second round and delivered the kind of goaltending they’ve gotten from him whenever he has been healthy.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) celebrates with goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) after Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Jaccob Slavin scores in OT as the Hurricanes beat the Capitals in Game 1 of their 2nd-round series

Jaccob Slavin scored in overtime, Frederik Andersen made 13 saves in his return from injury and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 2-1 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, heads to the finish line to win the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty won’t run in the Preakness, dashing Triple Crown possibility

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty won’t run in the Preakness Stakes. That means there won’t be a Triple Crown winner for a seventh consecutive year.

A general view of players entering the ice before an NHL hockey game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Utah Hockey Club, Monday, March 10, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate, File)

Moving up 4th in the NHL draft in the lottery adds to the Utah Hockey Club’s exciting summer

Winning the second draw at the NHL draft lottery and moving up from having the 14th pick to No. 4 is the latest development setting up a momentous summer for the Utah Hockey Club.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, left, and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns, right, battle for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Capitals and Hurricanes meet in a 2nd-round NHL playoff series with ‘no secrets’ and ‘no surprises’

The Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes meet in the second round of the NHL playoffs in a series between division rivals that play the same defensively but try to score in entirely different ways.

Fans wait to enter the new UBS Arena for the first New York Islanders NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, on Nov. 20, 2021, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

NHL to hold an international event at UBS Arena in 2026 in place of All-Star Weekend, AP source says

A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press the NHL is planning an international event at UBS Arena next February in lieu of the previously announced All-Star Weekend at the home of the New York Islanders.

President Donald Trump, from right, speaks NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris listen during an event to announce that the 2027 NFL Draft will be held on the National Mall, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington to host the 2027 NFL draft on the National Mall, President Donald Trump says

President Donald Trump announced the NFL draft is coming to Washington in 2027. The plan is to hold the event on the National Mall with the Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol and other landmarks part of the backdrop.

Dallas Stars' Wyatt Johnston (53) and Matt Duchene (95) celebrate after Johnston scored against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period in Game 7 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Settle in and get ready: An ‘ultracompetitive’ 2nd round of the NHL playoffs is here

The Dallas Stars emerged from a seven-game series against Colorado, and the Edmonton Oilers rallied from down 2-0 to eliminate Los Angeles and move on in the NHL playoffs.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) hits Montreal Canadiens center Alex Newhook (15) into the bench area in the second period of Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals into the second round against Carolina by scoring and hitting

A month after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal-scoring record, Alex Ovechkin is in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since leading the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018.

St. Louis Blues fans react as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) looks on during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets host the Blues in Game 7 of their 1st-round NHL playoff series

The first round of the NHL playoff concludes with Game 7 between the regular-season league-best Winnipeg Jets and the Western Conference eighth-seeded St. Louis Blues.

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stands behind his bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

New York Rangers hire Mike Sullivan as coach days after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins parted ways

The New York Rangers have hired Mike Sullivan as coach. Sullivan was out of a job for less than a week after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins agreed Monday to part ways.

Florida Panthers right wing Kyle Okposo raises the NHL hockey Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, file)

Kyle Okposo joins the NHL Players’ Association months after winning the Stanley Cup and retiring

Kyle Okposo is joining the NHL Players’ Association as business development and player engagement adviser.

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) celebrates with center Dylan Strome (17) and Ryan Leonard at the end of Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Capitals stay even-keeled to eliminate the Canadiens in 5 and win their first series since 2018

The Washington Capitals looked every bit like the top team in the Eastern Conference most of the time in winning their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens in five games.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), right, celebrates his goal with defenseman John Carlson, left, in the first period of Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Ovechkin scores as the Capitals eliminate the Canadiens in 5, advance to play the Hurricanes

Alex Ovechkin scored, Logan Thompson made 28 saves and the Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 in Game 5 of their first-round series to advance in the NHL playoffs.

Delta Center is viewed before an NBA basketball game between the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray, file)

Owners of NBA’s Jazz and NHL’s Utah Hockey Club unveil renovation plans to add seats to arena

The owners of the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club and NBA’s Jazz are beginning a massive renovation of their downtown Salt Lake City Arena that will eventually increase hockey capacity to roughly 17,000 and basketball to nearly 19,000 fans.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, top center, celebrates after his goal during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Monday, April 28, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Panthers can eliminate Lightning, Capitals look to close out Canadiens and Blues-Jets reaches Game 5

The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers get their first chance this spring to close out the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

Indianapolis Colts place kicker Matt Gay (7) kicks during an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Commanders sign kicker Matt Gay and release Zane Gonzalez

The Washington Commanders have signed veteran kicker Matt Gay and released Zane Gonzalez. Gay spent the past two NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. They cut him earlier this month to save $3 million against the salary cap.

Washington Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris, from left, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announce a new home for the NFL football team on the site of the old RFK Stadium, Monday, April 28, 2025, at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

What’s next in the Commanders’ process of building a new stadium in Washington

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that a new, state-of-the-art Commanders stadium in Washington would drastically increase the chances of the U.S. capital hosting the Super Bowl for the first time.