Arbitrator awards Russia-bound F Hudler 2-year, $5.75-million deal upon return to Detroit

September 18th, 2009 Volkswagen to sponsor Sochi 2014 Winter OlympicsSOCHI, Russia — Volkswagen became a sponsor of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Friday in a deal that Sochi organizers said brings total sponsorship revenues to more than $750 million. Sochi organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko signed the agreement with Dietmar Korzekwa, director general of Volkswagen Group Rus, in the Black Sea resort city.

September 9th, 2009 Hudler's disputed move to Moscow approvedZURICH — The International Ice Hockey Federation approved the disputed transfer of Jiri Hudler from the Detroit Red Wings to Dynamo Moscow on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Czech forward has been at the center of a dispute between the NHL and Russia's KHL, which have ongoing disagreements over transfers and respecting contracts.

August 19th, 2009 Tigers' first-round pick agrees to 4-year dealDETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have optioned right-handed pitcher Eddie Bonine to Triple-A Toledo. Bonine was sent down Tuesday to make room for first baseman Aubrey Huff, whom the Tigers acquired from Baltimore on Monday.

August 4th, 2009 CHENNAI - Seven times World champion Michael Schumachers return to Formula One is great for the sport and he is bound to win a few races after getting himself "re-acclimatised" at Valencia, says Indias only Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan. Speaking to IANS here Tuesday, Karthikeyan, 32, opined that 40-year-old Schumacher, who has agreed to come out of retirement after a nearly three-year break to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa of Ferrari, would find the going tough in Valencia later this month.

July 31st, 2009 LAUSANNE - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Friday an appeal by Romanian striker Adrian Mutu against the world body FIFA order that he has to pay former club Chelsea 17.17 million euros (24.14 million dollars) in damages for breach of contract. Mutu was sacked by the English Premier League after testing positive for cocaine in 2004 a year after joining them from Parma and was ordered to pay the sum by football's ruling body last year.

July 30th, 2009 Russian league claims Red Wings forward _ againDETROIT — A Russian hockey league is completing a contract with Detroit Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler. The Kontinental Hockey League registered Hudler's two-year, $10 million contract in Moscow on Thursday morning.

July 23rd, 2009 NHL sets July 30 hearing for Russia-bound HudlerDETROIT — The NHL has scheduled an arbitration hearing July 30 for Jiri Hudler, who says he's leaving the Detroit Red Wings to join Dynamo Moscow of Russia's Continental Hockey League. Hudler signed a two-year, $10 million deal to play for Dynamo Moscow.

July 7th, 2009 Red Wings sign Leino and keep talking to HudlerDETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings brought back a restricted free agent and hope to welcome back another one soon. Ville Leino signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract Monday as Red Wings general manager Ken Holland attempted to re-sign Jiri Hudler, who is also a 25-year-old forward.

July 2nd, 2009 Pistons agree to deals with Gordon, VillanuevaDETROIT — A person with the knowledge of the negotiations says the Detroit Pistons have agreed in principle to contracts with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday night on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit teams from announcing free agent signings until next week.

July 1st, 2009 Ducks captain Niedermayer returns with 1-year dealANAHEIM, Calif. — Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer is staying in Anaheim after signing a one-year deal Wednesday worth $6 million plus bonuses.

June 28th, 2009 LONDON - Manchester City has completed a 25-million-pound swoop for Barcelona strike ace Samuel Eto'o and by this week, they will confirm the 30-million-pound signing of Argentine striker Carlos Tevez from Manchester United. Cameroon star Eto'o, 28, is expected to travel to Manchester in the next few days to finalize the deal, while Tevez will sign a four-year deal worth around 140,000-pounds a week on Wednesday, reports News of The World.

June 21st, 2009 Leyland defends decision to bench OrdonezDETROIT — Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland isn't quite ready to announce Magglio Ordonez's return to the lineup. He is, however, eager to clear up rumors about the reason for Ordonez's benching.

June 18th, 2009 Ovechkin seeks MVP repeat at NHL awards in VegasLAS VEGAS — The NHL is boosting the spotlight on its annual awards ceremony, and Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin hopes that means repeat honors for him as most valuable player. Ovechkin scored a league-high 56 goals during the regular season and will learn Thursday night whether it is enough to snag the Hart Memorial Trophy again.

June 15th, 2009 Zetterberg calls Crosby's actions disrespectfulDETROIT — Henrik Zetterberg called Sidney Crosby's actions disrespectful. Nicklas Lidstrom said the Pittsburgh Penguins' young captain would learn from his mistake.

June 10th, 2009 NCAA awards 1st McKay Scholarships for post-gradsINDIANAPOLIS — Former Central Michigan quarterback Brian Brunner and former Florida State tennis player Anna Rynarzewska are the first recipients of the NCAA's Jim McKay Scholarships. The scholarships are named for the longtime sportscaster and host of ABC's "Wide World of Sports" who died last year at age 87.