UNO News Net: December 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

NHL Hockey: Maple Leafs sign Dion Phaneuf to seven-year contract extension

The Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that they have signed captain Dion Phaneuf to a seven-year contract extension.

The Leafs have signed Dion Phaneuf to a seven-year contract extension. Photos from the Leafs official twitter feed show the deal being signed.

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The Leafs have signed Dion Phaneuf to a seven-year contract extension. Photos from the Leafs official twitter feed show the deal being signed.

The Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that they have signed captain Dion Phaneuf to a seven-year contract extension.

Phaneuf, 28, would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Now he is under contract through the 2020-21 NHL season, with reports indicating the deal would be worth roughly $49 million. The Leafs locked up sniper Phil Kessel in October to an eight-year deal worth $64 million.

“Dion is our team leader and has been a pillar in our building process,” said GM Dave Nonis said in a statement released by the Leafs which had a photo of Phaneuf signing the deal on its website.

“He has proven to be a very durable and reliable defenceman in all facets of the game. He plays big minutes in every situation for us and we’re pleased to have him under contract for the next seven seasons.”

Phaneuf, 28, has played 39 games for the Leafs this season, and has 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists). The 6-3, 214-pound defenceman leads the team in plus/minus (+13) and average ice-time per game (24:21), is second in hits (102) and blocked shots (76), and third in penalty minutes.

“This is a very proud day for me and my family,” Phaneuf said in a news release. “I’m very honoured to be the captain of this historic franchise and to maintain the opportunity to play and represent the Toronto Maple Leafs for many years to come. We have passionate fans and a dedicated ownership group. I have great teammates and look forward to growing with them and achieving our goal of winning.”

The Leafs scheduled a news conference for later Tuesday at Michigan Stadium to address the deal. Phaneuf and his teammates will hold their Winter Classic practice there later.

Phaneuf’s deal has been a hot topic of conversation for Leafs fans, with some arguing that it’s far too much while others say it’s fair based on what the market is for defencemen.

Sochi 2014: Canadian women Team fall to U.S. 3-2 in final hockey tuneup

Kelli Stack leads Americans past Team Canada at Air Canada Centre.

Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star Order this photo

Anne Schleper of the U.S. checks Canada's Natalie Spooner in the second period of Monday night's women's hockey game at the Air Canada Centre.

Captain Hayley Wickenheiser says there’s a learning curve as Canada’s women’s national team adjusts to newly appointed coach Kevin Dineen.

Canada lost for the second time in as many games under Dineen, 3-2 to the United States, on Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 17,227 at the Air Canada Centre.

Dineen took over as Canada’s head coach on Dec. 17 after Dan Church resigned.

“I think we’ve been building on things, working on things and there’s parts of our game that have come a long ways and parts that still need work,” said Wickenheiser. “Coming in and taking over a team that’s been going all year, it’s not easy.

“We’re getting more comfortable with how it’s going to go.”

Kelli Stack had a goal and two assists as the Americans won their fourth straight in the six-game exhibition series against the Canadians.

TTC fare hikes to take effect New Year’s Day

TTC fare hikes, announced by the transit company in November, will take effect on Jan. 1

Recently announced fare hikes by the TTC will take effect on Jan. 1.

The hike, announced by the transit provider in November, will see riders have to pay five cents extra for tokens, moving from its regular price of $2.65. Additionally, there will be a $5.25 hike for the adult Metropass, from $128.50 to $133.75. Cash fares will remain at $3, though an extra five cents cash fare will be required for riders using 2013 TTC Senior-Student tickets.

Effective March 1, 2014, all 2013 Senior-Student tickets, as well as day passes, cannot be used while any passes brought prior to 2013 cannot be used and will not be refunded.

Refunds for 2013 Senior-Student tickets can be made at the following dates and locations

Jan. 2 to Dec. 31, 2014 at the TTC head office, 1900 Yonge Street, above the Davisville subway station and Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.to 5 p.m.; extended hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Thursday and the first and last business day of each month.

Jan. 2 to Feb. 28, 2014, Bloor-Yonge Station, Collector Booth (Bloor Street southside entrance) Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Feb. 3 to Feb. 28, 2014, Kipling and Warden stations, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (excluding Family Day February 17, 2014).

Refunds inquiries can be made, by mail, starting Jan. 2, 2014, to TTC Accounts Payable, 1900 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4S 1Z2. Refund time is expected to be between six and eight weeks.

WORLD SPORTS: 75 sports moments you missed in 2013

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New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith takes a shot against the Indiana Pacers in the final second of the first half of their NBA Eastern Conference Semifinal game at Madison Square Garden in New York on May 16. The Knicks won 85-75.