NHL
Giguere getting ‘Jiggy’ with retirement after 16 years
DENVER – The goaltender known as “Jiggy” is stepping away from the net.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere announced his retirement Thursday after 16 NHL seasons in which he won 262 games, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Stanley Cup championship.
The Colorado Avalanche said Giguere made his decision in Quebec while with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada hockey team. He’s part owner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League squad.
The 37-year-old Giguere is best known for his time with the Anaheim Ducks. He led the team to two appearances in the Stanley Cup finals, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy in defeat in 2003 and hoisting the Cup in 2007.
Giguere originally was drafted by Hartford with the 13th overall pick in 1995 and played eight games with the Whalers in 1996-97. He was the last active player to have suited up for Hartford.
Giguere also played for Calgary and Toronto.
Giguere played in 597 regular-season games and faced 16,325 shots in 33,719 minutes. He finished his career with a 2.53 goals-against average and 38 shutouts.
Soccer
Howard takes a 1-year break from defending U.S. goal
CHICAGO – Star goalkeeper Tim Howard is taking a one-year break from his United States’ national team duties.
The three-time World Cup veteran asked U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann not to consider him for selection to the roster until September 2015. Howard is not retiring from international play, however; the decision is driven mainly by his desire to spend more time with his family.
Howard, 35, will continue playing for Everton in the English Premier League.
Howard’s backup on the national team is Brad Guzan, who also plays in the EPL for Aston Villa. Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando was the third keeper at the World Cup.
Tennis
Top-ranked American is hurt before the U.S. Open
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – John Isner’s preparations for the U.S. Open hit a setback Thursday when a sprained ankle forced him to withdraw from the Winston-Salem Open hours before his quarterfinal.
Isner, seeded 13th for next week’s tournament at Flushing Meadows, is the highest-ranked American (15th) in the U.S. Open. He is to face Marcos Giron, the 2014 NCAA singles champion, in the first round.
WNBA
Moore and her 23.9-mark earn WNBA MVP honors
Maya Moore put up incredible numbers all season for Minnesota. Now she’s got her first WNBA MVP award.
Moore earned the league’s most valuable player Thursday, hours before the Lynx opened their Western Conference semifinals playoff series with the San Antonio Stars.
Moore led the league in scoring, averaging a career-best 23.9 points. She set a WNBA record by scoring at least 30 points 12 times, including in four consecutive games.
Moore received 35 of the 38 first place votes, surpassing Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi and Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry. Los Angeles’ Candace Parker was fourth and Phoenix’s Brittney Griner fifth.
The draft lottery’s perfect Storm lands in Seattle
SECAUCUS, N.J. – The Seattle Storm won the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft lottery.
The Tulsa Shock were awarded the second pick Thursday night, with Connecticut picking third and fourth. The Sun acquired the Liberty’s pick on draft night last April in part of a package for Tina Charles.
The Storm finished tied with Tulsa for the league’s worst record at 12-22 and each had a 35.9-percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick. Connecticut, which finished a game better, had a 28.2-percent chance when combining its chances with those of the New York Liberty, who finished 15-19.
Associated Press
