Sports Log
Hockey
Former NHL star Chris Chelios, 47, skated yesterday with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and said he will probably sign a contract with the team this week to help his chances of “getting back in the NHL someday.’’ A veteran of 25 seasons with three teams, Chelios was the NHL’s oldest active player in 2008-09 and last played in the spring as the Detroit Red Wings made a run to the Stanley Cup finals. The Wolves are the Atlanta Thrashers’ top affiliate, and Chelios said he hasn’t given much thought about being called up to his fourth NHL team. “I’ve got a big challenge to prove to myself and a lot of people that I can still play,’’ he said . . . Sabres defenseman Andrej Sekera will miss at least two weeks because of a rib injury, but blue liner Toni Lydman is ready to return after missing Buffalo’s first three games with a hand injury . . . Reigning national champion Boston University will open its season Friday against UMass-Amherst as the nation’s second-ranked team. BU moved up one spot in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll despite not playing, getting nine first-place votes to Miami of Ohio’s 24.Basketball
Arroyo returns to NBA, signs with Heat
The Miami Heat signed free agent point guard Carlos Arroyo, bringing the native of Puerto Rico back to the NBA after a season playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. The one-year contract would be worth about $1.1 million if Arroyo, 30, remains with the club all season. Arroyo most recently played in the NBA for Orlando from 2005-08 . . . Point guard Mo Williams was held out of the Cavaliers’ 111-94 exhibition home win over Olympiacos of Greece with a sore right groin, but coach Mike Brown doesn’t think the injury is serious. LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal had 12 points apiece for Cleveland . . . The Philadelphia 76ers waived veteran big man Stromile Swift and second-year guard Sean Singletary . . . Binghamton University suspended off-campus recruiting for its men’s program until next month in the wake of coach Kevin Broadus’s admission that he violated NCAA recruiting regulations.Baseball
Cubs file for bankruptcy protection
The Chicago Cubs filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a step that will allow their owner to sell the team in an $845 million deal. The filing in Wilmington, Del., was anticipated and is expected to lead to a brief stay in Chapter 11 for the Cubs. The filing is part of the Soccer
MLS looking to adjust season structure
MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league is exploring ways to align itself closer to soccer’s international calendar in hopes of attracting more of the world’s best players and gaining favor with FIFA president Sepp Blatter as America bids to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. While accepting that standards are rising in MLS, Blatter has stated regularly that it needs to switch to Europe’s August-May schedule, rather than its current March-October format to entice top players. “We have to evolve to get closer to that calendar,’’ said Garber . . . AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said it’s likely David Beckham will join the club on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy again in January. Beckham performed well in a six-month loan with Milan last season, and wants to return to Europe to maintain his place on England’s World Cup squad. “I don’t consider anything done until there’s a signature,’’ Galliani said . . . D.C. United midfielder Santino Quaranta will be sidelined 4-6 months with a foot injury. Quaranta broke a bone in his left foot during practice Friday.Miscellany
ATP players question lack of offseason
Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal, participating in the Shanghai Masters in China, said many players think the ATP season is too long and that tennis players need a proper offseason. “It’s ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport that doesn’t have a legitimate offseason to rest, get healthy, and then train,’’ Roddick said. Added Nadal, “It’s impossible to play 1st of January and finish 5th of December . . . being all the time 100 percent without problems.’’ . . . In Shanghai, James Blake rallied to defeat Ivo Karlovic, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, in the first round. Also advancing were Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer, Fernando Gonzalez, and Marat Safin . . . The world gymnastics championships open today in London, beginning with the men’s qualifying. Women’s qualifying starts tomorrow . . . Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will remain at Santa Anita in California in preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 7. Calvin Borel will ride the gelding . . . Alberto Castagnetti, 66, the longtime coach of Italy’s swim team, died at his home while recovering from heart surgery.
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