hockey

Jagr leaving NHL to sign with Russian team

Jaromir Jagr signed with a Russian team a day after his split with the New York Rangers, leaving the NHL after nearly two decades and returning to the club he joined during the 2004-05 lockout.

The Russian League team Avangard Omsk announced the signing of the 36-year-old Czech winger on its Web site Friday.

"It was the toughest decision in my life, hockeywise. ... No question about it. I hate making changes," Jagr told The Canadian Press.

Jagr's agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed the signing in an e-mail. He and Jagr, as well the team, wouldn't comment on contract terms. However, the deal is believed to be for two years plus an option for a third, and will pay Jagr about $7 million tax free, the equivalent of about $11 million a season in the NHL.

Sharks obtain Boyle from Lightning: The San Jose Sharks acquired standout defenseman Dan Boyle from Tampa Bay, trading defenseman Matt Carle and top prospect Ty Wishart to the Lightning to acquire their second proven NHL defensive star in two days.

The Sharks, who received journeyman defenseman Brad Lukowich in the deal, also gave up a first-round pick in 2009 and a fourth-round choice in 2010. San Jose then made room for its new defensive talent by trading veteran defenseman Craig Rivet to Buffalo for two second-round draft picks.

San Jose lost defenseman Brian Campbell to Chicago on Tuesday in a lavish free-agent deal, but the Sharks quickly compensated for his departure.

Canucks acquire Bernier for draft picks: The Vancouver Canucks acquired right wing Steve Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft and a second-round selection in 2010.

boxing

Calzaghe drops title, looks to fight Jones Jr.

Unbeaten Joe Calzaghe has relinquished his WBC super-middleweight title to set up a potential fight against Roy Jones Jr. for the light heavyweight belt.

The 36-year-old Calzaghe, who went up to light heavyweight to defeat Bernard Hopkins in April, hopes to fight Jones Jr. in September. The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed Calzaghe's decision.

Garay wins WBA crown: Hugo Hernan Garay of Argentina won the vacant WBA light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision over Yuri Barashian of Ukraine at Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Garay, relying on right-handed jabs, raised his record to 3 with 17 knockouts.

pro basketball

Report: Duhon agrees to deal with Knicks

Chris Duhon verbally agreed to a deal with the New York Knicks on Friday, the point guard and his agent told The Sporting News.

"I am just excited, I am ready to get to work for the Knicks," said Duhon, the former Duke player who averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 assists in four seasons for Chicago.

obituary

San Antonio sports icon Cook dies at 81

Dan Cook, the longtime San Antonio sports writer who popularized the phrase "the opera ain't over till the fat lady sings," has died. He was 81.

running

Maregu wins Peachtree race

Ethiopia's Terefe Maregu won the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, with Ethiopian or Kenyan runners sweeping the top 10 spots of the 10-kilometer event.

Nataliya Berkut of Ukraine was the women's winner in a field of 57,000, the nation's largest 10K race.