TORONTO [bar] The Hockey Hall of Fame is set to welcome Ron Francis, who led the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup finals in 2002, and three other NHL greats in one of its finest classes ever.
Francis, Mark Messier, Al MacInnis and Scott Stevens will go in as players this fall, while NHL executive Jim Gregory will enter as a builder.
'I'm very honored to go in with a class like this,' said Francis, who holds Carolina franchise records in goals and assists.
Messier, the NHL's second-leading career scorer, was a slam-dunk selection after a career in which he won six Stanley Cups.
All four players elected Thursday were on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.
IN OTHER HOCKEY NEWS
Wayne Primeau, a center, has re-signed with the Calgary Flames for a three-year contract. The team also signed defenseman David Hale to a one-year deal.
golf
mediate shoots 64 to take buick lead
GRAND BLANC, Mich. [bar] Rocco Mediate's back is healthy and so is his game.
Mediate shot his lowest score on the PGA Tour in four years, opening the Buick Open on Thursday with an 8-under 64 for a one-stroke lead.
Brett Quigley, Woody Austin and Brian Bateman shot 65s, and Jim Furyk was among a group of four another stroke back.
IN OTHER GOLF NEWS
James Kamte, a South African qualifier, and Welshman Kyron Sullivan each shot 6-under-par 65s to share the opening-day lead Thursday at the French Open.
football
Most of redskins' practices closed
ASHBURN [bar] Washington Redskins fans will have only a few opportunities to see their team at training camp this year.
The team announced Thursday that players will report and camp will open July 27 at Redskins Park. But like last year, only eight sessions will be open to the public, the last on Aug 8.
vols boot walk-on after drug arrest
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. [bar] Tennessee dismissed walk-on Justin Jackson on Thursday after an arrest on a felony charge of possessing and selling crack cocaine.
Knoxville police arrested the 21-year-old Wednesday night, police spokesman Darrell DeBusk said.
An officer saw Jackson's car stopped shortly before 8:30 p.m. and was investigating a possible seat-belt violation, DeBusk said, when the officer saw what appeared to be crack in the vehicle.
IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS
Fred Evans, a Miami Dolphins defensive tackle who was arrested over the weekend for refusing to leave a taxi on South Beach and for fighting with officers, was released by the team Thursday.
A 23-year-old woman found fatally shot in a Phoenix alley has been identified as the daughter of former NFL lineman Luis Sharpe, authorities said Thursday.
Doug Flutie, a former Heisman Trophy winner, and former Miami coach Larry Coker will serve as analysts for college football games on ESPN's networks this season.
soccer
beckham to join galaxy on july 13
LOS ANGELES [bar] Mark your calendars, America.
David Beckham will be officially introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 13 at the team's stadium in Carson.
Beckham, currently vacationing after helping Real Madrid win the Spanish League title, will arrive in Los Angeles a few days before his introductory news conference and first training session with the MLS team.
IN OTHER SOCCER NEWS
Fabio Capello, Real Madrid coach, was fired on Thursday, less than two weeks after he guided the Spanish power to its first league title in four years.
baseball
200 in attendance for beck funeral
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. [bar] Former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and current manager Bruce Bochy were among the estimated 200 people who attended the funeral Thursday for former major league pitcher Rod Beck.
Giants owner Peter Magowan also attended the services at a Scottsdale mortuary.
