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The Washington Capitals completed their last major piece of offseason business Friday by finalizing a new contract for Tom Wilson, the physical right wing who had a career year during the team's run to its first Stanley Cup . In a deal long expected, Washington will pay Wilson an average of $5.17 million over six seasons, according to a news release the team sent Friday night. Wilson's 14 goals, 21 assists and 15:59 average ice time during the regular season were career highs. The 6-foot-4, 218-pound player scored five goals and added 10 assists during the postseason, where his most memorable moment might have been his hit on the Pittsburgh Penguins' Zach Aston-Reese in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The league suspended Wilson three games, but he returned the following series and continued his hard-hitting play. It was one of three suspensions for him last season. Wilson, who earned $2.25 million last season, was a restricted free agent, meaning the Capitals owned his negotiating rights. He opted not to file for arbitration. Without arbitration, it was possible negotiations could have lasted until training camp.
— Mark Selig, The Washington Post
More Capitals: One of Washington's most valued assistants has followed former coach Barry Trotz to the New York Islanders . Mitch Korn, the Capitals' director of goaltending, will take on the same position in New York, the Islanders announced Thursday. Korn had instructed goaltenders for Trotz since 1998 with the Nashville Predators . When Trotz moved on from Washington after a contract dispute, most observers assumed Korn's days in Washington were also numbered.
— Jacob Bogage, The Washington Post
Major League Lacrosse
Bayhawks fall Thursday despite Thompson's 3 goals
Attackman Lyle Thompson had a hat trick in his season debut for the Chesapeake Bayhawks, whose comeback came up short in a 12-11 loss to the host Atlanta Blaze on Thursday night. Josh Byrne, who moved from attack to midfield, also had a hat trick for the Bayhawks. Goalkeeper Niko Amato (Maryland) made 17 saves for Chesapeake. Midfielder Matt Abbott contributed two goals and an assist, while long-stick midfielder Matt Rees (Navy, Boys' Latin) scored a clutch 2-point goal for the Bayhawks (8-4), who have lost two straight after winning seven in a row. The Blaze improved to 6-6.
Et cetera
Rooney named D.C. captain; Albany's Grady is AFL MVP
Three matches into his MLS career, Wayne Rooney has been named captain of D.C. United . Coach Ben Olsen said Friday that he has awarded the previously vacant role to the English superstar, who captained both Manchester United and his national team. "Wayne has the respect of the guys, not only from his past, but also the way he has been the last few weeks being here," Olsen said. "We've had some good discussions on his leadership role, and I think he will embrace it and do a good job with it." United had been without a captain while Olsen got a better feel for his evolving squad and relied on several players to provide leadership. Defender Steve Birnbaum, who held the title last year, was the de facto captain through the first half of this season and, as required by MLS, was listed on the lineup sheet as the captain. No one, however, wore the captain's armband during matches.
— Steven Goff, The Washington Post
National Women's Soccer League: The Washington Spirit waived midfielder Maddie Huster, a rookie from Wake Forest who was drafted in the third round. ... The Spirit are offering two free field-side tickets to games at the Maryland SoccerPlex with a purchase of any two tickets to their game at Audi Field on Aug. 25. The promotion is available for purchases made before Tuesday. Call 301-591-0927 or email Fans@WashSpirit.com.
Arena Football League: Albany Empire quarterback Tommy Grady was named Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Grady, the third player to win MVP at least twice in his career, joining George LaFrance and Nick Davila, was at the helm of an Empire offense that led the four-team league in scoring offense (53.8 points per game) and total offensive touchdowns (91). The seventh-year AFL veteran threw for a league-high 2,960 yards and 81 touchdowns against six interceptions. ... Empire linebacker Terence Moore was named Defensive Player of the Year. Moore, a seven-year veteran, had 68.5 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for-a-loss, 1.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six interceptions. He led the league in interceptions and tied for second in total tackles.
Horse racing: Horacio DePaz, a multiple stakes-winning trainer for historic Sagamore Farm since 2015, will also be taking on outside clients as he transitions into running a public stable. DePaz, 33, has 40 horses in training for Sagamore spread among the Glyndon farm, Laurel Park , Saratoga Race Course and Churchill Downs. The move comes as Sagamore's Kevin Plank, founder, CEO and chairman of Under Armour, is scaling back his ownership. "Kevin is on board with the idea. He's staying involved in racing, but looking to focus more on quality rather than quantity," DePaz said. "It has been my privilege to work for such a committed owner as Kevin and for a farm with such a rich history and success as Sagamore. I'm excited to be able to continue that relationship while welcoming the opportunity to handle new clients, as well."
Baseball: The New York Mets assigned second baseman Ty Kelly, a former Orioles prospect, outright to Triple-A Las Vegas. He was hitting .091 in 11 at-bats this season.
Women's college volleyball: Washington College named Aimee Petrides (Institute of Notre Dame) assistant coach. She spent the past two years as an assistant coach and assistant athletic trainer at Frostburg State , where she played four years of volleyball.