Hockey
DAMPHOUSSE REPORTS: Vincent Damphousse reported to training camp for the Montreal Canadiens on Friday after signing a one-year contract that made him the highest-paid player in team history.The team captain will earn $3.275 million, passing Mark Recchi's $2.75 million as the highest salary on the club.
Agent Bob Sauve said other free agents - including Mike Modano in Dallas, Sergei Fedorov in Detroit or Alex Mogilny in Vancouver - would take longer to sign because they are seeking long-term contracts.
ISLANDERS SALE: Steven Gluckstern, part owner of the Phoenix Coyotes, signed a letter of intent Friday to purchase the New York Islanders for an estimated $195 million.
Gluckstern's 50 percent ownership of the Coyotes will help his credibility with the NHL in the process of purchasing the Islanders.
FLYERS SIGN THERIEN: Defenseman Chris Therien has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, the team announced Friday.
Terms were not disclosed.
Soccer
MARADONA TO PLAY: Diego Maradona, his career in jeopardy until an investigation into alleged drug abuse is completed, says he will play for Boca Juniors on Sunday - and then insist on a doping test.
"Even if they don't pick my name out of the hat, I'll go. That way the judge can be at ease," said Maradona, who failed a doping test in August but has denied he took drugs.
Maradona's checkered career seemed to be over after failing the doping test after a league game against Argentinos Juniors in which he scored on a penalty kick.
But a federal judge ordered the Argentine Football Association week not to ban the 36-year-old player until an investigation is completed. The judge has dismissed any criminal charges of drug use against Maradona.
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: South Korea beat Uzbekistan 2-1 Friday night to maintain its lead in Group B of Asian World Cup qualifying, and the United Arab Emirates routed Kazakhstan 4-0.
At Seoul, Lee Sang-yoon broke a 1-1 tie with three minutes remaining. South Korea (2-0) went ahead on a 15th-minute goal by Choi Yong-soo, who scored three goals last weekend against Kazakhstan. Oleg Shatskikh tied the score for Uzbekistan (0-2) with 15 minutes left.
At Abu Dhabi, Ali Hassan (18th minute), Mohammed Obaid (48th), Zuhair Bakhit (71st) and Khamis Saad (77th) scored for the UAE (1-0), which moved into second place, ahead of Japan (1-0) on goal difference.
The top team in each of the two Asian groups qualifies for next summer's tournament in France. The winner of a playoff between the two second-place teams also qualifies, while the playoff loser meets Australia in a home-and-home series for a berth in the tournament.
In the opening games of Group A, Iran is at China on Saturday and Kuwait is at Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
MLS SKID ENDED: The longest losing streak in Major League Soccer history came to an end Friday when the New England Revolution defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 for their first win in 11 games.
Administration
NEW RICKS AD: Garth Hall, former football coach at Idaho State University, has been named athletic director at Ricks College.
David Bednar, president of the Mormon Church-owned two-year college, announced the appointment on Friday.
Hall, who has a doctorate in athletic administration with a minor in organizational behavior, is chief executive of a company he formed at Orem, Utah, Leader Associates, a consulting company dealing with sports and sports organizations.
He was head coach at Idaho State 1988-91 and earlier served as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, BYU, Tulane and Oregon State.
Hall has bachelor and master's degrees from Utah State and taught coaching philosophy and techniques at Idaho State and BYU.
He and his wife, Sharon, have six children. Oldest son Ryan played football for Ricks College, son Curtis played baseball and another son, Scott, is currently on the baseball team.