GLENDALE, Ariz.
Niklas Kronwall Red Wings Jersey . -- The Arizona Coyotes made their big off-season move before the free agency period
started, trading for a playmaking centre to replace the one they lost. Once they
could sign free agents, the Coyotes filled a couple of holes. Arizona signed
centre Joe Vitale to a three-year contract and goalie Devan Dubnyk to a one-year
deal on Tuesday, adding depth two days after trading for centre Sam Gagner.
"This was pretty much what we hoped to get accomplished," Coyotes general
manager Don Maloney said. Arizona initiated a buyout of Mike Ribeiros contract
on Friday after last years big signee didnt pan out in his one season in the
desert. The Coyotes quickly filled his spot, landing Gagner and right wing
B.J. Crombeen on Sunday in a trade that sent a draft pick to Tampa Bay. Adding
Vitale gives Arizona a gritty faceoff specialist who can offset the loss of
Jeff Halpern and possibly anchor the fourth line. Vitale spent his first four
NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, scoring eight goals with 27 assists in 163 career
games. "We like the energy and physicality that hes going to bring," Maloney
said. "Were all about details. Hes got a lot we like." Arizona had little shot
of re-signing backup goalie Thomas Greiss, who signed with Pittsburgh so he
could have a chance at more playing time. The Coyotes took a little bit of a
risk in signing Dubnyk. He was Edmontons starter to start last season, but was
traded to Nashville and eventually ended up in Montreals system after being
waived. The Coyotes are hoping to resurrect his career behind goaltending coach
Sean Burke, who had success with two other big goalies, Ilya Bryzgalov and
current starter Mike Smith. "You look at our history, weve had good luck helping
that bigger goalie find his game," Maloney said. The Coyotes are still in talks
with right wing Radim Vrbata. He has been a consistent scorer in five seasons
with the Coyotes, but became a free agent on Tuesday and reportedly has several
potential suitors.
Curtis Joseph Jersey . Fifth-seeded Cilic gained his fourth title in Zagreb and became the third Croat overall to win at
least 10 career titles. Cilic also lifted his career record in Zagreb to 22-4,
winning 20 of his last 21 matches at the event.
Danny DeKeyser Red Wings Jersey . Brad Malone had the other goal for the Monsters (1-1-0), while Elliott chipped in an assist
for a three-point night and the games first star. Bryan Lerg also had two
assists. Corban Knight and Max Reinhart scored for the Heat (1-1-0), who opened
their season Friday with a 5-2 win over the Monsters in Cleveland. VANCOUVER --
His career was built on making the right choices so its no surprise Jay DeMerit
knew the time had come to walk away from playing professional soccer. DeMerit,
the first player signed by the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps in 2010 and the
Major League Soccer teams first captain, officially announced his retirement
Thursday. "When it makes sense, when its right, its not sad," the amiable
DeMerit said during a news conference. "Its not something I am going to regret.
"Its something I am very proud of." Being convinced he made the right decision
didnt stop DeMerit from battling back tears at one point. He will continue to
work with the Whitecaps as an ambassador but has other business interests in
Vancouver. "I am excited for the future," he said. "By no means is this the
end." Known for strong defensive and leadership skills, the centre back had a
goal and one assist in 71 career games -- 69 of which he started -- with the
Whitecaps. He logged a total of 5,928 minutes during his MLS career. DeMerit
spent six seasons with English club Watford FC before joining the Whitecaps. The
34-year-old American also appeared in 25 games with the U.S. national squad,
starting four matches at the 2010 World Cup. Two injuries in a 15-month span
hobbled DeMerit. In 2013, he missed most of the year with a torn Achilles tendon
suffered in the season opener against Toronto FC. Last month, he tore a tendon
in his left ankle in a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union. "I knew I was up
against it," DeMerit said. It was one day last week while watching the team
practise that DeMerit began to question if he could return. "Watching the guys
play it just kind of dawned on me I think these days are over," he said. "I
looked down and saw an ankle with one real tendon. "I didnt think I had it in me
anymore." Later that day while sitting on a Vancouver beach, DeMerit decided to
call it a career. "I sat down on a log," he said. "At that exact second, after
no other thought, I decided I was going to retire." In a letter to fans posted
on the Whitecaps website, DeMerit said if he continued to play he risked
damaging the reputation he spent years building. "Ive always been the kind of
player who wears his heart on his sleeve and its that heart thats telling me its
time to stop," he said. "If I cant be the player that I have always been, and
play to a standard that I believe is high enough, then its time for me to smile,
say thank you and give my commitment to a new cause." Vancouver president Bob
Lenardduzzi said DeMerits charm and charisma off the field played an important
role in helping to raise soccers profile in a market dominated by hockey and
football.
Gustav Nyquist Red Wings Jersey. "Jay gets the big picture," said Lenarduzzi. "He gets that in North America we are selling
the sport." DeMerit has made over 120 appearances on behalf of the Whitecaps.
"His willingness to participate in virtually any request we put in front of him
has helped to strengthen our brand in the market place," said Lenarduzzi. Coach
Carl Robinson said DeMerits competitive spirit helped mould the team. "Hes a
sore loser," said Robinson. "Hes a pain in the backside sometimes when it comes
to training because he wants to win so much. "He leads by example. Young players
knew what was expected of them. If they stepped out of line, or didnt do the job
properly, he would tell them." DeMerit played college soccer at the University
of Illinois-Chicago but was overlooked by pro scouts. He travelled to London
with $1,200 in his pocket to pursue a soccer career. In his letter he talked
about being broke, "sharing bath water" with a friend and playing games with
"nothing but a couple of cows and five people in the stands." Eventually DeMerit
would score the goal that sent Watford to the Premiership. He played in an FA
Cup semifinal against Manchester United and a League Cup semifinal against
Liverpool. He also played on the MLS all-star team that beat Chelsea. In
Vancouver he helped the Whitecaps become the first Canadian team to reach the
MLS playoffs. The chance to be part of a new franchise appealed to DeMerit. "I
thought it was an amazing opportunity to be part of a blank canvas," he said.
"Vancouver gave me that opportunity." Playing in Vancouver also allowed DeMerit
to meet his future wife, Olympic gold medallist skier Ashleigh McIvor. The
couple were married last summer. In his letter, DeMerit talked about what soccer
gave him. "I got to travel around the world, grace a few magazines and
billboards, and got to see the soccer community come together and raise money to
make a movie about my life," he said. "I got to talk about my beloved Green Bay
Packers with Elton John while in my underwear and drink beers with Bill Clinton.
"I got to meet other amazing athletes and even got to marry the most beautiful
Olympic gold medallist on the planet." With one chapter of his life finished,
DeMerit is anxious to see what the future holds. "This isnt a career ender," he
said. "Its a life starter."
Cheap Jerseys From China ' ' '
