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By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 23, 2001
Hull can now call himself a true Star
The Detroit Red Wings signed free-agent right wing Brett Hull to a two-year contract Wednesday.
The 37-year-old became a free agent in June when the Dallas Stars declined to exercise their $7-million option for next season. He was Dallas' second-leading scorer last season behind Mike Modano with 39 goals and 40 assists.
Hull signed a two-year, $9-million contract.
Hull is seventh in history with 649 goals. Hull is second among active players in goals, trailing only Mark Messier of the Rangers who has 651.
M0RE NHL: The Islanders brought back Billy Smith as goaltenders coach, eight years after he left the team that he led to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980-83. ... The Blackhawks signed forward Igor Korolev. ... Restricted free-agent forward Matt Cooke signed a four-year contract with the Canucks.
SOCCER: Steve Trittischuh gave the Mutiny a 1-1 tie in an exhibition against the University of Tampa when he scored in the 88th minute. Sophomore All-American Roy Fink chipped a high-arcing ball over the head of a John Lowery from 30-plus yards in the 57th minute for Tampa. Sophomore defender Jason Bell was credited on the assist. ... Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller, the top two U.S. goalkeepers, were put on the roster for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica. U.S. captain Claudio Reyna was picked to return from a one-game suspension, but he reinjured his groin as the Glasgow Rangers lost 2-1 at Turkey's Fenerbahce. ... Andy Williams scored twice to lead host New England to a 2-0 victory over D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
COLLEGES: Sophomore forward Rodney Tucker, who's facing a first-degree felony charge of sexual battery on a physically helpless victim, has left Florida State and plans to play basketball at Tallahassee Community College. "Everyone has been concerned about the welfare of this young man," said Clyde Taylor Jr., Tucker's attorney. "I'm thankful as is Rodney and his family for TCC giving him this opportunity. Obviously, if we're not successful at trial, it's all moot." Tucker, 20, has an Oct. 8 trial date. He's plead not guilty to the charge, which carries a maximum of 30 years in jail. In accordance with FSU rules, he was allowed to practice with the team but could not play. With him and three incoming recruits, the Seminoles would have been one over the NCAA limit of 13 scholarships. One newcomer, all-American Anthony Richardson, has been accepted as a partial qualifier but may have to sit out. ... Beth Watson was named Central Florida's assistant softball coach. ... After Hofstra reported that its 92 percent graduation rate was incorrect, American University received the USA Today-NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Award in the category of greatest graduation rate increase in 1993-99. American's increase was 29 percent. ... Arizona women's basketball player Veranda James left school for personal reasons.
GOLF: Brad Hauer posted his second straight 5-under-par 67 to retain his share of the two-shot lead with Rod Perry after two rounds of the North Florida PGA Section Championship in Orlando. Jay Overton of Palm Harbor shot 70-138 and was four back.
BOXING: Mike Tyson's 10-round fight against Brian Nielsen originally scheduled for Sept. 8 will be Oct. 13 in Copenhagen, Denmark. ... Hasim Rahman will defend the WBC-IBF heavyweight titles in a rematch with Lennox Lewis Nov. 17 in Las Vegas.
TENNIS: Pete Sampras took another step toward ending his 15-tournament title drought with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Alexander Peya in the second round of the Hamlet Cup in Commack, N.Y. He drew the 10th seed for Monday's U.S. Open. ... Lindsay Davenport combined a strong service game with a wicked backhand to beat Amelie Mauresmo, 6-4, 6-4 and advance to the semifinals of the Pilot Pen in New Haven, Conn. Jennifer Capriati overcame a swollen left leg to beat Anke Huber 0-6, 6-3, 6-2. ... Former No. 2 Conchita Martinez withdrew from the U.S. Open with an Achilles' tendon injury.
TRACK: Javier Sotomayor, the world-record holder in the indoor and outdoor high jump finished third at the IAAF Permit meet in Greece. The 33-year-old cleared 7 feet 5 inches to finish behind Mark Boswell and Iaroslav Rybakov, each of whom cleared 7-53/4, with Boswell winning on fewer misses.
HORSES: Saturday's field for the 11/4-mile, Grade I, $1-million Travers at Saratoga in post position: A P Valentine, Volponi, Free of Love, Harrisand, Scorpion, E Dubai, Point Given, Dollar Bill and Hadrian's wall. Point Given is the even-money early favorite.
CYCLING: Three-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong finished 67th in a closely bunched field in the third stage of the Tour of Burgos in Miranda De Ebro, Spain.