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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

{allcanada} Canada to introduce new coach Thurs.

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TORONTO -- Canada has found a new women's soccer coach.

The Canadian Soccer Association has scheduled a conference call for Thursday for what it calls "an important announcement regarding the women's national team program."

The Canadian women have been without a coach since Italian Carolina Morace resigned abruptly during a July post-mortem into the team's poor showing at this summer's World Cup.

Peter Montopoli, general secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association, said last week a coach would be in place before exhibition games against the U.S. on Sept. 17 and 22.

In January, Canada will attempt to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

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{allcanada} Dupre steps down for personal reasons

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TORONTO -- Jean Dupre is stepping down as chief executive officer and secretary general of the Canadian Olympic Committee after less than 18 months on the job.

He will be replaced by Chris Overholt, who will be part of a new management structure, the COC said in a release Wednesday.

Dupre is leaving for personal reasons but will remain as an consultant.

"We understand Jean's position and I would like to personally thank him for his service to the COC and wish him the very best for continued success," COC president Marcel Aubut said in the release.

Dupre joined the COC in April 2010 after spending 15 years as head of Speed Skating Canada. He replaced Chris Rudge, who was CEO during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

Overholt had previously been the COC's chief operating and marketing officer, where he oversaw the day-to-day activities of the organization. He also led the marketing function and business development.

In his new role, Overholt will be responsible for leading the organization while reporting to the president and board of directors.

Prior to joining the COC Overholt had worked for the NFL Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers of the NHL.

"Chris has the experience and the leadership qualities to drive the Canadian Olympic team to be among the world's best," Aubut said in the release. "As CEO he will build an extremely strong future for this organization."

In other moves, the COC has decided to eliminate the position of chief operating officer. All the organization's senior executives will now report directly to Overholt.

Derek Kent has been promoted to the role of chief marketing officer. He previously was the executive director for corporate and brand communications.

Caroline Assalian will take over the new position of chief sports officer. She previously was the executive manager director for sport and NSF relations.

Jolan Storch has been named as general counsel and business development adviser. She will assist the COC in governance and bylaws, sponsorship contracts and negotiation of various business development projects.

A new chief finance and administration officer is expected to be named in the future.

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{allcanada} Toronto Maple Leafs statement on Wade Belak

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The Maple Leafs released the following statement on Wednesday night regarding the death of former NHL player Wade Belak:

"The Toronto Maple Leafs are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Wade Belak. Wade was extremely popular with his teammates, the staff, and Maple Leafs fans everywhere. He was the consummate team player on and off the ice. He will be deeply missed in the hockey community and our thoughts and prayers are with Wade's family and friends during this challenging time."

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{allcanada} 'How I Met Your Mother' Season 7 premiere promo: Big questions, bigger dance moves

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgkz1Z3mTA0

Reasons to be excited for the Sept. 19 Season 7 premiere of "How I Met Your Mother" are many -- and not just because the veteran comedy marks its return with a full-hour of new programming.

CBS recently released the first promo for the premiere, "The Best Man," and it seems likely to deliver on all the promises of sexy dancing and nuptial backdrops as the photos we recently caught. It also poses two big questions...

#1: Who will get married? Calm down. We're going to have to go with the absentee Punchy (Chris Romanski), whose wedding seems to be setting for all the non-flash-forward events.

#2: Who will hook up? Really. Could they? Robin (Cobie Smulders) and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) are looking awfully comfortable out there on the dance floor, but with the gang now on a crash course with his own wedding, we expect the show to tread at least a little lightly around a possible Brobin reunion so soon in the season.

One burning question we can answer already, however, is that there will definitely be at least one "Lion King" reference. Watch and enjoy. 

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{allcanada} Straits' 'Money' fit for radio: Council

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The word "faggot" is usually too hurtful for Canadians to hear on the radio -- but the classic song Money for Nothing gets a pass.

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) ruled Thursday that the 1984 Dire Straits hit is nuanced and thoughtful enough to be played uncensored.

In February 2010, Newfoundland rock station CHOZ-FM aired the uncensored, eight-minute version of the song. The song is written from the point of view of a working class man, and in one verse, he uses the anti-gay slur repeatedly when describing a rock star on TV.

A listener complained, saying the use of the "other f-word" was hateful and discriminatory.

A regional branch of the CBSC agreed the word was hostile and sent the matter to the national board for a ruling.

The CBSC says the "other f-word" is generally not acceptable on the air, but when put into context of the song narrative, it is not intended to be abusive.


 

Composer Mark Knopfler has said he wrote the words while in a New York department store, from the perspective of a "bonehead who worked for the store, a great big macho guy with a, you know with a checked shirt on and a cap and a pair of work boots" who was complaining about his lot in life and jealous of the success of the performer he was watching on a TV screen.

Most radio stations had already dropped the lengthy album version and used the tighter radio edit, which doesn't include the offending word.

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{allcanada} So True? So False? Was Justin Bieber Not Supposed to Be Driving That Ferrari?!

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Justin Bieber is 17 and already driving a Ferrari. Not bad, eh?

And aside from insurance premiums possibly going up after yesterday's minor fender-bender, all is well in Bieber world.

Well, maybe not. California driving laws have gotten stricter in recent years in an effort to protect minors behind the wheel, and there are certain times of day when those under the age of 25 are not allowed to be driving alone—or without the supervision of a licensed driver who's 25 or older.

The Biebs was alone when his sports car got clipped at around noon. So we had to check on the rumor that Selena Gomez's main squeeze shouldn't have been on the road in the first place, and it's...

We knew that Bieber is all about safety behind the wheel, so it makes sense that this rumor is so false!

Per the California Department of Motor Vehicles, minors only have to be accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older if they're transporting passengers under the age of 20, or if they're driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Plus, these rules only apply for the first 12 months after one gets his or her license.

So Bieber was free to drive his Ferrari (that's still a "wow") till the cows came home, seeing as he posed for his license pic in April 2010, a month after he turned 16, in Atlanta.

But we're pretty sure the San Fernando Valley frowns on racing through city streets, regardless.

"I just raced @justinbieber down Ventura in his Ferrari I won but a fedex truck got in his way...Seemed like a down to earth kid," Everlast, aka House of Pain member Erik Schrody, tweeted yesterday.

There was no immediate response on that one from Bieber's rep.

However, traffic cops are willing to nail anyone of any age for drag racing, so we suggest that all drivers out there take note.

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{allcanada} IMPACT'S DIOUF ARRESTED AT AIRPORT FOR ALLEGED THEFT

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MONTREAL -- Montreal Impact forward Mignane Diouf is facing a charge of theft after being arrested at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

An airport spokesman says the 22-year-old rookie was arrested Sunday after the manager of an electronics store reported that a pair of $600 headphones had gone missing.

Patrick Hogan says officers allegedly identified Diouf after watching the security tape from the airport boutique.

Hogan says police approached Diouf at a gate, where the Senegalese citizen was waiting for his flight with his Impact teammates.

He says Diouf offered to pay for the headphones, but the store's manager was advised by his corporate headquarters to press charges.

Hogan says Diouf spent the night in jail before he was released on US$6,000 bond.

The team says it has hired a lawyer to represent Diouf and that it will not comment until further notice.

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{allcanada} ALOUETTES LIKELY TO USE WILLIAMS TO REPLACE ESTELLE AT CORNER

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It appears that the Montreal Alouettes will put Seth Williams in Mark Estelle's spot at cornerback instead of non-import Paul Woldu, who filled in once Estelle went down last Saturday in Calgary.

The team placed Estelle on the nine-game injured list on Tuesday, meaning he won't be eligible to return until the last game of the regular season on Nov. 5.

Williams was close to earning a starting position coming out of Alouettes training camp, but was released after suffering a thigh injury. Montreal put him on the practice roster in late July and activated him last week.

In other team news, linebacker Shea Emry is still experiencing post-concussion symptoms and is questionable for Montreal's Labour Day game at Hamilton.

Linebacker Diamond Ferri, who missed last Saturday's game with a hamstring injury, says he suffered dehydration a couple of days ago. There was some confusion, however, as head coach Marc Trestman said that Ferri was in the hospital due to a flareup of pancreatitis, a chronic condition that's plagued Ferri for over four years.

In any event, Ferri is probable for Monday's game.

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{allcanada} LIONS' JACKSON FRUSTRATED OVER NOT SEEING MORE PASSES

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SURREY, B.C. -- A big smile spread across Paris Jackson's face this week as he stopped to speak with some spectators gathered to watch a B.C. Lions practice.

A few minutes later that grin faded into a frown when the Lions receiver was asked about a CFL season where he has yet to catch a pass.

"Frustrating, long," Jackson said shaking his head. "I just don't know where I fit in.

"At the same time it's making me mentally stronger. It makes me understand football can be taken away."

While concentrating on this season, Jackson does wonder about his future with the Lions.

"It's been going through my mind," he said after the Lions (2-6) practised for their game Friday against the Toronto Argonauts (2-6) at Rogers Centre. "That's the off-season. I can't worry about that now."

The 31-year-old Vancouver native has enjoyed a starring role with the Lions for nine seasons. He's caught 60 or more passes each of the last four years and twice been over 1,000 yards.

But this year Jackson has gone from being a main cog in the offence to a spare part. He started the season bothered by a knee injury but claims he's 100 per cent healthy.

"I'm out here running around," Jackson said. "Whatever they need me to do, I'm out here trying to show them I can fly around and make plays."

When he's played, the six-foot-three, 220-pound Jackson has mostly been used as a blocker. The only pass sent his way sailed over his head.

"It's frustrating, but at the same time I am still confident in my ability," Jackson said. "If it comes my way, I've just got to make plays."

Wally Buono, the Lions coach and general manager, understands Jackson's bewilderment but isn't making any promises.

"Paris might not get a pass this week either," said Buono. "He's practised well the last couple of weeks.

"I think the quarterbacks are getting confidence in him. I think he's getting more confidence in himself. Hopefully soon we will get him the ball and he'll be a bigger part of what we are doing."

Quarterback Travis Lulay swears he's not purposely ignoring Jackson.

"It's not a matter of not having faith in Paris," said Lulay. "I threw my first career touchdown to Paris.

"I have all the confidence in the world throwing the ball his way. It's just been a matter of the way he game has been played that he hasn't got in the game."

The Lions are deep at receiver.

Veteran slotback Geroy Simon is second in the CFL with 648 yards and is just 769 yards away from breaking Milt Stegall's all-time record. Arland Bruce, in just his second game since being traded from Hamilton, had nine catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns in B.C.'s 36-1 pummelling of the Edmonton Eskimos Aug. 19.

Akeem Foster, Shawn Gore and rookie Kierrie Johnson are also dangerous.

One edge Jackson has is he's a bruising receiver who uses his size to punish defenders.

That's also part of the problem, said Buono.

"He just has to be more aware of what he does as far as beating up his body and beating up his knee," said Buono.

"Whether he wants to work 100 snaps, the issue is he can't do that anymore. He has to be very careful. I think if he's careful he's going to be able to be productive."

In the past Jackson has been animated and loud. During a game he celebrates his catches while talking at the opponent.

During practices, Jackson would taunt the defence and wasn't afraid to get in the face of his own teammates.

This year Jackson has been seen but rarely heard. At practices he stands quietly, holding his helmet.

"They brought me in and told me to be quiet," he said. "I have done the best I could.

"It's hard to keep a beast in his cage. At the same time I understand where they are coming from. It's about making the team better. It's been tough. It's a new role."

The Argos will come to Vancouver in a Sept. 10 rematch that will be the Lions final game at Empire Field. They will host Edmonton on Sept. 30 at B.C. Place Stadium, which has undergone $565 million in renovations, including a retractable roof.

After slow start, the Lions believe they can turn things around in the second half of the schedule. Jackson believes his team can be on the field when the Grey Cup game is played in Vancouver.

"We feel like we should win out," he said. "I believe this team is going to get better and better. We are going to make a big push in the playoffs and hopefully bring the Grey Cup to B.C."

Whether Jackson will be a Lion next year is anyone's guess.

"I'm young," he said with a smile. "I am the kind of guy that is really competitive and will keep on pushing.

"I believe I have five more years and that's what I'm going to keep in mind. We'll deal with the business aspect of it at the end of the year."

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{allcanada} ALOUETTES' WHYTE ON IMPRESSIVE FIELD GOAL STREAK

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Sean Whyte is on quite a roll.

After putting his first career field goal attempt with the Montreal Alouettes off the upright, the third-year kicker has been flawless, converting a club-record 22 straight attempts. Heading into the team's Labour Day showdown with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday, Whyte is just six field goals shy of Dave Ridgway's league record of 28 straight set in '93.

But when the 25-year-old native of Surrey, B.C., trots on to the turf at Ivor Wynne Stadium, thoughts of his impressive streak will be the furthest thing from Whyte's mind.

"If you start thinking about 22 straight you're going to put added pressure on yourself that you just don't need," Whyte said Wednesday. "That's when you start missing kicks.

"They say kicking is 80 to 85 per cent mental so I'm trying to stay humble, do my job and make the kicks when they come."

Had Whyte listened to his holder, third-string quarterback Ricky Santos, he'd be perfect this season.

Whyte's first attempt of the year was from 35 yards out on a windy night in Montreal's season-opening 30-26 home win over the B.C. Lions, his former team. Santos advised Whyte to account for the wind, which was gusting left to right, and aim his kick inside left.

"I just thought to myself, 'I don't think it's that windy, I don't think the ball will be affected by it,"' Whyte said. "I put it right down the pipe and hit it good but the last 10 yards it just took off and hit the upright and I couldn't believe it. I should've listened.

"We have a little golfer-caddie thing going on. Ricky will come out and give me a little lean, if I'm a little further out he'll lean the ball a little bit more so I'll drive it more. He'll be like: `Oh, we have a little wind left to right so aim inside the left upright and I'll give you about a seven-iron and just knock it down."'

In fact, Whyte credits the chemistry he's developed with Santos and long-snapper Martin Bedard for his success.

"This doesn't happen without them," he said. "Marty is probably one of my best friends on the team now and when we started training camp I don't think we left each other's side because we knew we were going to be working together this season and wanted the best chemistry possible.

"We're good buddies and room together on the road and have a good thing going."

But it seems Santos needed a little prodding to become part of the triumvirate.

"I had seen him do it, he was pretty good and looked comfortable and I heard he had done it in college so I asked him to come hold for me but he really didn't want to," Whyte said. "But I told him he was a third-string quarterback and this was a good way to get on the field and be a part of something.

"He thought about it and the next day said, `I'm ready to do this, I want to be good at this, let's go out and break some records.' When you have guys who take pride in what they do and want to be consistent at it, it helps me be consistent because they're perfect every time. I know the ball will be there at the exact time every time."

Twice this month Whyte captured the CFL's special-teams player of the week honour and Wednesday was named the league's top special-teams performer for August.

Montreal certainly had high expectations for Whyte after acquiring him from B.C. for a 2012 first-round pick in May. That came shortly after the team opted against re-signing veteran kicker-punter Damon Duval, who later joined the Edmonton Eskimos as a free agent.

Whyte said has never felt pressure to perform with the Alouettes despite the steep price the club paid to get him.

"I was just happy to get an opportunity," he said. "I had been waiting so long in B.C. to get this chance, it was very frustrating even though I loved being in B.C., it was my home province and the team was great to me.

"But it's frustrating not playing. You're an athlete, you train all off-season to play and when you don't get to do that, it's frustrating. I always said if there was another team I wanted to play for in the CFL, it would be Montreal."

Whyte spent two seasons with B.C. behind veteran Paul McCallum. He hit on 21-of-29 field goals in 2009 and finished with 90 points before converting all six field goals he attempted in 2010.

Whyte's 95.7 per cent success ratio on field goals is the best in the CFL this season. But he's ranked sixth overall in punting (41.9 yards, 33.5-yard net average) and seventh in kickoffs (56.5-yard average).

By comparison, Duval ranks first in both categories with a 46.7-yard punting average and 63.3 yards per kickoff while having made 14-of-19 field goals (73.7 per cent).

However, there's a lot more to punting and kicking off than simply booming the ball.

With the Alouettes boasting the CFL's top offence, Whyte rarely punts from deep in their zone. That means he must often sacrifice distance for ball placement and hang-time to put his cover team in the best position to be successful.

The same logic also applies on kickoffs as Whyte is sometimes required to boot the ball high or squib it downfield to reduce the chance of a big return. Other times, he must kick it to the corner and thus significantly reduce the area the return team can use.

"I'm not going to get down on myself for kicking those kicks," he said. "People in the stands might say, 'Oh, what is he doing?'

"But that's what I'm asked to do."

Whyte admits there was a stretch earlier this season when his punting was somewhat out of sync but says he's back in rhythm. The numbers would support that as Whyte has averaged 45.9 and 46.1 yards, respectively, in his last two games.

In fact, Whyte's performance has enabled Montreal to keep veteran kicker Sandro DeAngelis on the sidelines. The Alouettes signed the former Calgary Stampeder and Hamilton Tiger-Cat in the off-season but he has yet to dress for a game.

Yet Whyte isn't resting on his laurels, especially considering he won't have the luxury of playing in a domed facility once the weather turns cold. And given the nomadic lifestyle of a pro football kicker, he's anxious to call Montreal home.

"Playing in Montreal is such a treat, to be part of something special," he said. "I'm trying to establish myself as a kicker in this league and every time I'm on the field I'm trying to do my job and help the team win.

"I don't want to lose this job. I want to stay in Montreal and play with this team for years to come."

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{allcanada} Daniel Sedin anxious to start season

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VANCOUVER -- There were a lot of sleepless nights for Daniel Sedin this summer.

The Vancouver Canuck forward says it took him several weeks to get over his team losing Game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup final to the Boston Bruins.

Sedin joined a couple of his teammates in skating at a Vancouver arena on Wednesday. He says twin brother Henrik will arrive in Vancouver Thursday.

Even though it was a short summer, Sedin says he's anxious to get the new season started.

Sedin says the Canucks can't take anything for granted and need to work hard during the regular season if they hope to return to the Stanley Cup final.

Sedin won the league scoring race last year with 41 goals and 104 points. He also won the Ted Lindsay Award for being the NHL's most outstanding player as voted by member of the players' association.

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{allcanada} PREDATORS: FORMER NHLER BELAK FOUND DEAD IN TORONTO

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Former NHLer Wade Belak has been found dead in Toronto, according to a Nashville Predators spokesman.

The cause of his death is as of yet undetermined.

The team released the following statement:

"The entire Nashville Predators organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Wade Belak. Wade was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex. We offer our full support to them at this very difficult time."

Belak played 15 games last season for the Predators, finishing with 18 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating. He was placed on waivers by the club in February of this year. He retired shortly after clearing waivers unclaimed.

Former NHL tough guy Georges Laraque joined TSN Radio's Cybulski & Company shortly after the news of Belak's death broke and spoke about the pressures of being an enforcer on the ice.

"Now I think people will realize the tough job of playing in the NHL and the tough job of being a heavyweight," he said. "It takes a lot mentally. It's really hard."

He went on about the realities that come with punching your weight for a living in the NHL.

"When you retire after being a heavyweight for as many years as you played, most of those guys didn't make [much] money, so there's no options for them after," Laraque said. "So, after you have all this pressure of playing and fighting for a living, now you have to fight to live when life after hockey is over."

The 35-year-old Belak spent parts of 14 seasons in the NHL with Nashville, Toronto, Florida, Calgary and Colorado. In 549 career games he scored eight goals and added 25 assists, while racking up 1263 penalty minutes.

He was originally drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round, 12th overall, at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

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{allcanada} OHL introduces equipment changes

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TORONTO -- The Ontario Hockey League is instituting equipment changes designed to make the game safer.

The league announced Wednesday that all players must wear soft cap shoulder and elbow pads for the upcoming season.

The change came after a review of safety issues and is designed to "limit the number of head injuries suffered each season," according to the league.

Popular hockey commentator Don Cherry has urged the NHL to adopt a similar rule for years during his "Coach's Corner" segment on "Hockey Night in Canada."

The OHL's board of governors has also vowed to hand out more punishment to players who repeatedly get caught throwing checks to the head.

The regular season starts on Sept. 21.

Among the other changes announced Wednesday was the creation of a rule that forbids goalies from leaving their crease to fight another goalie. Violators will receive a game misconduct and automatic two-game suspension.

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{allcanada} Hargreaves joins Manchester City

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MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City made Owen Hargreaves the most unexpected signing of the summer transfer window when the injury-plagued midfielder joined on a one-year deal.

The Canadian-born Hargreaves was released by English champion Manchester United at the end of last season after failing to complete a match in three years because of knee, shoulder and hamstring trouble.

However, the 30-year-old former England midfielder has proved his fitness to City, where he will likely be a backup to Netherlands international Nigel de Jong in the big-spending club's star-studded squad.

Hargreaves, who was born in Calgary, is City manager Roberto Mancini's sixth summer signing -- and could be a shrewd one if he manages to avoid any more injuries that have derailed a career that peaked during the 2006 World Cup when he was arguably England's best performer in Germany.

A year later, he was signed by United from German giants Bayern Munich and ended his first season at Old Trafford by winning the Premier League-Champions League double.

His fortunes have since plummeted. Having failed to find a club for the start of the season, Hargreaves resorted to posting videos on YouTube showing himself working in a gym and running to prove his fitness.

In a statement announcing the free-transfer signing, City acknowledged "injury has taken its toll" on Hargreaves' career. But the club was still prepared to take a gamble on the player, signing him to a short contract.

Hargreaves, capped 42 times by England, joins a club that is second in the Premier League on goal difference behind United, having won its first three games.

City will also be playing in the Champions League this season, with Bayern one of its opponents in Group A.

Mancini has also signed Argentina striker Sergio Aguero and Arsenal pair Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, taking the spending under Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour since his 2009 takeover over US$1 billion.

The Italian coach has managed to cut the wage bill at City, though, selling winger Shaun Wright-Phillips to Premier League rival Queens Park Rangers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Wales forward Craig Bellamy left for Liverpool on a two-year loan deal on Wednesday while striker Emmanuel Adebayor joined Tottenham on a season-long loan this month.

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{allcanada} Nashville Predators Statement on Belak

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The Nashville Predators released the following statement Wednesday evening regarding the passing of former Predator Wade Belak:

"The entire Nashville Predators organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Wade Belak. Wade was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex. We offer our full support to them at this very difficult time."

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{allcanada} Commissioner Bettman on the passing of Wade Belak

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NEW YORK (August 31, 2011) – Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League, today released the following statement regarding the death of Wade Belak:

"The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of Wade Belak, who competed to the utmost every minute of his NHL career. Our hearts go out to Wade's loved ones, his friends, his former teammates and to all who feel the horrible void left by this tragedy."

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{allcanada} Wade Belak found dead in Toronto condo

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Former NHL player Wade Belak has been found dead in his condominium in Toronto. Belak, who played in parts of 14 seasons with five NHL teams, was 35 years old.

A source with the Nashville Predators confirmed the news. Belak finished his career with the Predators and remained with the team in an organizational role following his retirement.

According to reports, the cause of death was not immediately known, but foul play was not suspected.

The Predators released the following statement Wednesday: "The entire Nashville Predators organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Wade Belak. Wade was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex. We offer our full support to them at this very difficult time."

Born on July 3, 1976 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Belak was originally drafted in the first round (No. 12) by the Quebec Nordiques in 1994. After the franchise moved to Colorado in 1995 and was rechristened as the Avalanche, Belak appeared in 35 games for the team over three seasons, but didn't get sustained playing time until appearing in 40 games for the Calgary Flames in the 1999-2000 season. After splitting the 2000-01 season between Calgary and Toronto, Belak remained with the Maple Leafs until 2008, when he was traded to Florida for a fifth-round draft pick. In November 2008, Belak was dealt to Nashville in exchange for Nick Tarnasky.

He spent the remainder of his career with the Predators before being waived on Feb. 25, 2011. After clearing waivers, Belak announced his retirement on March 8, 2011.

Belak could play either forward or defense, and his primary role was as an enforcer, accruing 1,263 PIMs in his career. While his offensive numbers were modest -- Belak had 8 goals and 25 assists in 549 games -- he was considered an affable and easy-going personality who was popular with the Toronto media and among fans. Belak had hosted a short series on Canada's BiteTV known as The Wade Belak Show and was scheduled to participate on CBC's upcoming season of Battle of the Blades. During his time in Nashville, Belak hosted a radio show on 104.5 FM "The Zone" also called The Wade Belak Show.

In a statement Wednesday evening, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, "The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of Wade Belak, who competed to the utmost every minute of his NHL career. Our hearts go out to Wade's loved ones, his friends, his former teammates and to all who feel the horrible void left by this tragedy."

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