The PWHL delivered a double-shot of expansion news on Wednesday, announcing it is bringing womens pro hockey to the distinctly different markets of Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario.And in now growing to 11 teams, theres one more addition still to come to make it an even dozen for a league preparing to double in size since launching with six franchises in 2024.The Las Vegas team was formally introduced at a news conference at the Vegas Golden Knights home arena Wednesday. Hamilton was to follow on Thursday, the PWHL said.Theres a lot of excitement and adrenaline and a lot of 'Lets go,' league executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press about an expansion process that began with the addition of Detroit last week.Were stoked and were proud of how far weve come in a short time, she added. But, the work starts now, right? Its wonderful to make announcements. But thats really when the real work comes, and the proof is in the pudding.Las Vegas forges new ground by introducing the PWHL to America's Southwest, a year after the league expanded into the Pacific Northwest by adding Seattle and Vancouver.We do need to geographically expand past the northeast and the north in general, Scheer said. So thats part of the plan as we start to branch out: What are the right markets that make sense to obviously become a little bit more geographically diverse?With San Jose, California, and Denver in the running to become the next expansion market, the PWHL would be in position to break off into either two six-team conferences or three four-team divisions based on geographical proximity. The leagues original six franchises are New York, Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Minnesota.Hamilton becomes Ontario's third franchise, and further expands the PWHLs reach across the province's densely populated "Golden Horseshoe" region, without drawing fans away from Toronto, located 42 miles (68 kilometers) to the east. A league neutral site outing in Hamilton in January drew 16,012 fans, with Scheer saying 70% of the turnout had never previously attended a PWHL game.The Hamilton-Burlington region has a population of more than 785,000, and is within an hours drive of other major centers such as London, Kitchener-Waterloo and the Niagara Region.Though separated by roughly 2,200 miles (3,547 kilometers) and an international border, the two newest markets meet various league expansion criteria, including being hotbeds for female hockey development.Since the Golden Knights began play in the NHL in 2017, girls' and women's hockey participation in Las Vegas has grown by 600%, the PWHL said.Now our job is to grow it to 6,000%, Scheer said at the official announcement from a stage set up on the ice at T-Mobile Arena. She represented the PWHL, and Golden Knights and Las Vegas-area officials also spoke to a crowd of fans that included about 200 girls hockey players.And the PWHL brings another franchise to a growing sports market that includes the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, who relocated to the city in 2018. The Aces have won three of the past four league titles and averaged more than 11,000 per outing over the past two seasons.As for the Hamilton region, 15% of PWHL players are from there, including Vancouvers Sarah Nurse, and Toronto teammates Renata Fast and Emma Maltais.The markets feature arena partners eager to work with the league on availability to ensure there are open dates to fit games into the facilities schedules. Arena availability factored into the PWHLs decision-making with several markets ruled out because of scheduling conflicts.The yet-to-be-named Las Vegas team will play out of the Golden Knights' home T-Mobile Arena, and feature a color scheme of green and gold. John Penhollow, Golden Knights business operations president, said some games could be played at the 4-year-old, 5,567-seat Lee's Family Forum in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson if there are scheduling conflicts at T-Mobile.That arena also is home to the Golden Knights' American Hockey League-affiliate Henderson Silver Knights. The Silver Knights and the PWHL will share the same nearly 6-year-old training facility in Henderson.The beauty is what their requests are is exactly what we had to do for the Silver Knights, Penhollow said. Dedicated locker rooms, dedicated laundry, dedicated gym, where they're going to eat. The way that building was constructed, it sets up well for these types of renovations, and the hope is we get it all done before the start of the regular season.Hamiltons team colors will be gold, maroon and cream. The team will play out of the citys newly renovated downtown TD Coliseum, where it will share the ice with the New York Islanders' minor-league affiliate, which is relocating from Bridgeport, Connecticut, this year.The arena has a 16,400-seat capacity for hockey. It was formerly called the Copps Coliseum, which in 1987 hosted eight Canada Cup tournament games, including Canadas two wins over the Soviet Union in the best-of-three final.___AP Sports Writer Mark Anderson in Las Vegas contributed to this report.___AP womens hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

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MANKATO, MINN. - The Mankato MoonDogs continue adding depth to their 2026 roster with the signing of a pair of productive junior college athletes and ... - Northwoods Mankato MoonDogs

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Patrick Mahomes missed the playoffs in 2025, and Josh Allen didn't have an MVP season last year, but that isn't stopping Colin Cowherd from listing the two stars as his top-two quarterbacks in the NFL. But which of the two is the league's best quarterback? Cowherd answered that question as he ranked the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season. His rankings aren't as straightforward as talent trumps all. Cowherd rates quarterbacks, he said, based on their production, durability and current momentum of their careers. With those factors in mind, here are Cowherd's top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season. Missed the cut: Dak Prescott, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield Cowherd's thoughts: "35-10 in his last 45 starts highest win percentage by any quarterback the last two years in the league. Big, athletic, risk-taking. No turnovers when it mattered in the playoffs. Still 28, five different teams what a disaster. But if you go remember he was benched in Carolina, came back, went 4-2 if you take his career starting then [in 2022], [he's the] winningest quarterback in the NFL with the second-highest passer rating." Cowherd's thoughts: "The most disrespected guy in the league. All he does is win. Four straight seasons with 4,000-plus passing yards. And, strangely, never misses a start. He and Caleb Williams, they don't get hurt." Cowherd's thoughts: "Bad o-line. Hit-and-miss run game. Got to a Super Bowl. Finally going to get A.J. Brown, a No. 1 wide receiver that's what's being reported. I think you'll see how special he is. Led the NFL in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating at 23, with a bad o-line in front of him." Cowherd's thoughts: "I love him. He doesn't play like anybody. He doesn't move like anybody. Two MVPs. He has the highest passer rating in NFL history, and everybody's like, I dont know if he's a great pocket passer.' I don't know, the analytics guys like him. Highest win percentage by any quarterback in league history not to make a Super Bowl." Cowherd's thoughts: "I think, on any given Sunday, he's the best player in the league. Burrow's durability is a big problem. You want him to win more. But I will say it again, I'm not sure on a fourth-and-7, trailing by four in a Super Bowl if there's a guy I want at quarterback more than Joe Burrow. I think he's an all-time talent. He got saddled with a cheap owner and a minimalist front office. Highest completion percentage and highest passer rating all time, with terrible o-lines." Cowherd's thoughts: "He just won the MVP. What do you want me to say? They're favored to win the Super Bowl. He's taken a bunch of mid-round guys Puka Nacua, fifth round, made him a star. So I'm not building this for five years. He is a top-five quarterback in the NFL right now." Cowherd's thoughts: "Worst offensive line in the NFL. Made the playoffs. That's insane! He's beloved in the locker room. He and Lamar Jackson are the most beloved players in the NFL in their respective locker rooms. Missed only six starts in his career, which is confounding because he's never had a good o-line." Cowherd's thoughts: "Do you know what his numbers are the first two years? Forty-seven touchdowns, 13 picks, never hurt. Never hurt in high school. Never hurt in college. Never hurt in the pros. Got hit more than any other quarterback in the league his rookie year. Unbelievably durable. Makes throws that only Josh Allen can make." Cowherd's thoughts: "He's going to be back in September. Each of his first seven years, led the Chiefs to a division title and an AFC Championship appearance. Sorry, don't get recency bias. He's amazing." Cowherd's thoughts: "He's been very good in the playoffs. He's won 70% of his games with a defensive head coach that most of you didn't like. Seven straight years with 10-plus wins. I'm sorry folks, he's been better than (Patrick) Mahomes two straight years."

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De'Von Achane will remain a centerpiece of the Miami Dolphins offense for years to come. Achane reportedly reached a four-year extension with the Dolphins worth up to $68 million on Wednesday, according to the NFL Networks Ian Rapoport.Achane more than surpassed the four-year, $48 million contract extension that James Cook signed with the Buffalo Bills last offseason, which was reportedly always his target. Hes now the third-highest-paid running back in the league at $17 million a season.Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made it clear multiple times this offseason that Achane was not available for trade, despite previously stating that nobody is untouchable in this business and dealing wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, long considered a cornerstone of the franchise, to the Denver Broncos.Sullivan also indicated that the team planned to extend Achane. The running backs appearance at the Dolphins training facility after missing voluntary OTAs was viewed as a good-faith gesture that a deal would eventually get done.Sullivan has referred to Achane as a pillar of the franchise, alongside center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks. After completing Achanes extension, Sullivan is expected to pursue new deals for Brewer and Brooks, both of whom have one year remaining on their current contracts.Since being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Achane has become a key contributor to Miamis offense. After missing six games and sharing carries with Raheem Mostert during his rookie season, Achane has since proven durable and has led the team in rushing yards over the past two seasons.Last season, Achane surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, finishing with 1,350 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He reached those numbers despite battling multiple injuries, including a calf issue early in the year, a rib injury late in the season and a shoulder injury that sidelined him in Week 18.Achane also led the Dolphins in receptions with 67 catches for 488 yards. In 2024, he recorded 78 receptions for 592 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs.Without Tyreek Hill and Waddle, Achane could emerge as one of quarterback Malik Willis primary targets on a revamped Dolphins roster featuring a new head coach, quarterback, and general manager, along with three rookie wide receivers from this years draft.

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