Ice Hockey News

THERE IS no question that soccer fever has swept America in the last month. We all saw thousands of people gathered at outdoor venues to watch the gallant effort of the U.S. men's national team in the World Cup.

Though the New York Islanders will soon abandon Nassau Coliseum in favor of the Barclays Center in hipster Brooklyn, in the 1970s the team grew to be a hockey powerhouse and the pride of Long Island, culminating with the Islanders first Stanley Cup win in 1979-80.

The Buffalo Sabres signed the second overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, forward Sam Reinhart, to a three- year, entry-level contract on Saturday.

The Minnesota Wild agreed to a one-year contract with defenseman Jonathon Blum and a two-year deal with forward Jordan Schroeder.

Instagram users share their snapshots as they soak up the sun this week on the beach, at the PNE, in parks and at the ballgame.

Kids activities abound in Toronto during the summer, when the splash pads are running, the parks are lush, and playgrounds are warmed by the sun.

Unlike hockey with the Stanley Cup, one of curling's most prized trophies is not given to people who win it to bring home and have a day to celebrate.

Vancouver Canucks hosted their annual prospects' camp featuring 35 up-and-coming NHL hopefuls.

RAW: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff on prospects camp, and Jets prospect Scott Kosmachuk talks about playing with camp linemate and Jets first-round draft pick Nikolaj Ehlers.

The rink will be called the Gino Odjick Sports Centre in honor of the 43-year-old Odjick, who has been diagnosed with a rare heart condition.

The University of Maine has named Richard Reichenbach as the women's ice hockey head coach for the 2014-15 season, the school announced in a news release Friday.

The oldest player at Capitals development camp, one of just three born in the 1980s, has spent his entire career in Europe and was invited here after director of player development Steve Richmond visited his son in Germany and found Jan Urbas playing for the same team.

Caron, coming off his rookie season with the Ontario Hockey League's Niagara IceDogs, will attend the rookie camp of the Chicago Blackhawks, which kicks off on Sunday.

In the wake of winning the north country's first national championship in Division I hockey, the Clarkson University women's hockey team has announced its recruiting class for the upcoming season.

But that hasn't stopped Canadians from going a little Cup crazy. The nation known more for shooting pucks than penalty kicks fields a national team that ranks 110th in the world, tied with Bahrain.

Matt Herr won two national championships at the University of Michigan and played in the NHL for the Washington Capitals.

The Swedish power winger fell down the draft charts during the season and landed in the Flyers' laps in the fifth round.

REDS HONOR: On Sunday, Aug. 3 at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick, Richard Alan "Dick" Ernst, right - a one-time hockey and tennis columnist for the Cranston Herald - will receive the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society's RI Native-born Hockey Achievement Award during the highly-acclaimed non-profit's 14th annual reunion.

Jan 24, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; View of the NHL logo at Dodger Stadium. Preparations are in place on the day before the Stadium Series hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium.

Melissa Tait / Winnipeg Free Press Bobby Hull in front of a display of his jersey at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.