Celtics assign three to Red Claws
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics have assigned forward Dwight Powell, guard Marcus Smart and guard/forward James Young to the Maine Red Claws in Portland.
Powell has appeared in one game for the Red Claws this season, an 81-80 win over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on November 17, and recorded 21 points and a game-high 17 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. He is averaging 2.7 points in 2.3 minutes per game in three appearances with the Celtics.
Smart has appeared in six games for the Celtics, averaging 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 17.7 minutes per game. Smart returned to the court against the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 3 after missing the previous 10 games with a left ankle sprain.
Young has appeared in two contests for the Red Claws and is averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 block. He is averaging 2.8 points in 4.0 minutes per game with the Celtics.
UMaine team wrapping presents at mall
BANGOR — The University of Maine women’s basketball team will be on hand at Center Court of the Bangor Mall on Friday, volunteering along with Ronald McDonald house staffers to wrap presents.
The team will be on hand from 12-3 p.m.
Patriots put Dobson on injured reserve
The New England Patriots placed wide receiver Aaron Dobson on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, ending his season, multiple media outlets reported.
Dobson had three catches for 38 yards this season. He played just four snaps against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but injured his hamstring on one of them.
Alfredsson signs one-day contract and retires a Senator
Daniel Alfredsson was back in an Ottawa Senators uniform on Thursday, the longtime captain signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the NHL club before announcing his retirement.
Alfredsson spent all but one of his 18 NHL seasons with the Senators, including a run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007, and remains the Canadian capital’s most popular athlete.
The 41-year-old Swede will take part in the Senators warm-up ahead of Thursday night’s game versus the New York Islanders before taking his final bows.
Alfredsson, who was Ottawa’s captain for 13 seasons, exits as the Senators’ all-time leader in games played (1,178), goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108).
Appeal hearing by NFL’s Adrian Peterson ends
The two-day appeal hearing of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s suspension ended on Thursday, with a decision expected in about a week.
Peterson, 29, was suspended by National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell on Nov. 18 until at least April 15 for beating his 4-year-old son with a tree branch.
But the 2012 NFL most valuable player, who has played in only one game this year, was successful in lobbying for an arbitrator to hear his case for reinstatement.
The arbitrator was Harold Henderson, a former NFL executive vice president of labor relations who has heard 87 appeals since 2008 involving personal conduct and drug issues.
There were several pieces to Peterson’s argument against Goodell’s punishment, among them that his offense occurred in May but the league’s stiffened sanctions against domestic violence were announced in September.
Ryan Leaf released from prison
Former pro quarterback Ryan Leaf, still remembered as one of the NFL’s biggest busts, was released on parole from a Montana prison on Wednesday, the Great Fall Tribune reported.
Leaf served about half of his five-year sentence on drug and burglary charges. He also was dismissed from a drug treatment program for threatening a staff member.
Leaf was required to complete a chemical dependency program to be released and granted parole.
He was working on the coaching staff of West Texas A&M when he was arrested.
Leaf, 38, finished third in the 1997 Heisman Trophy voting, and was the No. 2 overall selection in the 1998 NFL draft, one pick behind Peyton Manning and two spots ahead of Charles Woodson.