Hot! Deal To Move Atlanta Thrashers To Winnipeg Appears Imminent

The sale of the NHL back to Winnipeg appeared imminent Thursday after Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reported that an agreement had been reached between the Thrashers' current owner, Atlanta Spirit, and would-be owner True North Sports and Entertainment.

The Globe and Mail said the league will confirm the sale and franchise transfer Tuesday. The newspaper is owned byDavid Thomsen, who is also a key figure in the True North group.

However, the Winnipeg Free Press quoted a "high-ranking True North official" as saying the Globe and Mail story was inaccurate but quoted other unnamed sources as saying a deal could be reached in the coming days.

Winnipeg lost the Jets to Phoenix in 1996 but has since built a new arena in hopes of luring an NHL team. The Phoenix Coyotes appeared headed there until the city of Glendale, Ariz., last week agreed to pay the NHL $25 million to keep the Coyotes for the 2011-12 season.

Helene Elliott

Long Beach'sEmerson Etem, a speedy right wing who was chosen 29th overall by the in the 2010 NHL draft, agreed to a three-year entry-level contract that will pay him $900,000 a year in the NHL and $67,500 in the American Hockey League. Only two California-born and trained players have been selected in an earlier spot in the NHL draft:Jonathon Blumof Rancho Santa Margarita was chosen 23rd by Nashville in 2007 andBeau Bennettof Gardena was selected 20th by Pittsburgh last year.

Helene Elliott

ETC.

Oklahoma player found dead

Police were investigating whether drugs had a role in the death of University of Oklahoma linebackerAustin Boxin El Reno, Okla., and a witness told authorities that he thought his friend had overdosed.

Authorities did not immediately release an official cause of death, and Box's body was sent to the state Medical Examiner's office. Box was 22.

"We're all shocked and heartbroken," Sooners CoachBob Stoopssaid in a statement. "Austin was a great young man, a great young man to coach, and a great teammate."

Frank Cruz, the interim baseball coach for Pat Haden announced. Cruz, 51, was a volunteer assistant at USC in 2009 and 2010. He succeededChad Kreuter, who was fired in August after USC finished 28-32 overall and 7-20 in the Pacific 10 Conference , which put the Trojans in last place.

Under Cruz, USC is 20-28 overall and 10-11 in the Pac-10 with six conference games remaining. The Trojans are two games out of fourth place. Last week, USC won a series against Arizona State for the first time since 2004.

Gary Klein

UCLA had a three-stroke lead over defending champion Purdue after the second round of the NCAA women's golf championships at Bryan, Texas. Louisiana State'sAustin Ernstshot a six-under 66 in windy conditions and led the individual standings by three shots. UCLA'sTiffany Lua(71) was in a three-way tie for third. Top-ranked USC struggled again and was tied for 15th.

David Tomsshot a bogey-free eight-under-par 62 and shared the first-round lead at the Colonial. Toms, a 12-time U.S. PGA Tour winner who has not won in five years, was tied withChez Reavie.

It is Toms' lowest score since his career-best 61 at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January 2006, the last tournament he won.

was in second place after a 63.

Lee Westwoodproduced a blitz of birdies and defeatedAnders Hansensix and five on the opening day of the World Match Play Championship at Casares, Spain, sending a message to two players trying to supplant him at No. 1.Martin Kaymer, who could move to the top of the rankings by winning the tournament, also eased to opening-round victories at the Finca Cortesin course.

Second-ranked Donald defeatedCharl Schwartzelwas routed, six and five, byMiguel Angel Jimenez.

Only two players lost to lower-ranked opponents on a day of few surprises at the hilly, par-72 course.

Paula CreamerandKarrie Webbhad impressive first-round victories, and nine of the players seeded among the top 11 advanced to the second round of the LPGA Tour's Match Play Championship at Gladstone, N.J. Second-seededJiyai Shinwas beaten by fellow South KoreanMeena Lee, two up.

Travis Hampshireshot a tournament-record 12-under 60, taking a five-shot lead after the first round of the Nationwide Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am at Spartanburg, S.C. He finished with an eagle and 10 birdies for the 15th 60 in tour history.

Andy Roddickand withdrew from the after failing to recover from right shoulder injuries. Roddick pulled out of the Italian Open doubles final last weekend and this week's Open de Nice to give himself a chance of recovering in time for the French Open, which begins Sunday. Ferrero, the champion at Roland Garros in 2003, has played in only two tournaments this year.

Dianne Carpenter, the only woman to saddle two starters in the Kentucky Derby , has died. Carpenter died of cancer May 4, according to trainerGarry Simms, who once worked as an assistant under her. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi, Miss., confirmed Carpenter's death. Carpenter trained and owned Biloxi Indian, who finished 12th in the 1984 Derby. She also saddled Kingpost, 14th in the 1988 Derby. No female trainer has won the 137-year-old race.