Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
MTU
The Michigan Tech hockey team opens its season this weekend. The Huskies skate at Lake Superior State tonight at 5:07, and tomorrow afternoon at 3:07.
The Michigan Tech Nordic ski team has unveiled its winter schedule.
Eight weekends of competition will begin with the MTU Holiday Championships at the Tech Trails the first weekend in January. The Huskies will host the NCAA Central Regional Championships the final weekend in February. Tech and Northern Michigan will also hold a pre-season, home-and-home tune-up – the UP Opener will be held December 12th and 13th.
Finlandla
The Finlandia University softball team has introduced a new recruit. Elizabeth Mukka is a power hitter and pitcher from Triton Central High School in Fairland, Indiana.
MLB
Longtime Detroit Tigers coach Gene Roof is retiring. Roof spent 34 years in the Detroit organization, starting as a coach for the Toledo Mud Hens. He eventually managed the Hens, along with several other minor league teams in the Detroit system. He served four years as Sparky Anderson’s bench coach. For the past 20 years, he has been the team’s minor league outfield instructor, and is credited with helping the development of dozens of players who advanced to the major leagues, including Curtis Granderson, Brandon Inge, and Nicholas Castellanos.
With the Rule Five Draft coming up, the Tigers have added four of their young pitchers to their 40-man roster. Matt Manning, Alex Faedo, Alex Lange and Joey Wentz will be protected.
The Brewers protected three of their prospects – catcher Mario Feliciano, and pitchers Alec Bettinger and Dylan File.
NBA
The Pistons’ aggressive makeover continued yesterday, as the free agent signing window opened. One player who was expected to be part of the future, will not. Forward Christian Wood signed a three-year contract with the Rockets that’s reported to be worth $41 million.
Detroit responded by signing a pair of centers. Mason Plumlee averaged seven points and five rebounds a game off the bench for the Nuggets last season. He gets a three-year, $25 million deal. Jahlil Okafor agreed to a two-year pact. He averaged eight points and four boards per game off the bench for the Pelicans last season. The value of the contract has not been revealed.
Detroit also signed forward Josh Jackson. Jackson was a lottery draft pick by the Suns several years ago. He didn’t live up to expectations, and split last season between the Grizzlies and their development team. He’s considered a reclamation project.
The big free agent signing was forward Jerami Grant, who gets $60 million over three years. Grant averaged 12 points per game for the Nuggets last season.
Detroit also filled a vacancy at guard by trading for Delon Wright. Wright averaged seven points, four rebounds and three assists per game as a backup for the Mavericks last year. Trevor Ariza, who was obtained in a draft night trade, goes from the Pistons to the Thunder as part of a three-team deal.
NFL
The Lions visit the Panthers for a 1:00 game tomorrow. Detroit will play without receiver Kenny Golladay, who continues to battle a hip injury, and running back D’Andre Swift, who is in concussion protocol. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is listed as questionable because of the thumb injury on his throwing hand. Carolina quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is also questionable, because of a knee injury.
The Packers play at Indianapolis in a 4:25 game tomorrow.
Hunting
Congratulations to some more of our entrants in our Copper Country Deer Hunters Roundup…
• Phil Bekkala of Norway bagged an eight-pointer in the Traprock Valley.
• Jessica Harden of Atlantic Mine shot a seven-pointer near Toivola.
• Steve Kyto of Marquette shot an eight-pointer near Roland Lake.
• Randy Makela of Marquette bagged a six-pointer near Big Bay.
The next edition of the Deer Hunters Roundup will air Wednesday at 7:00. Submit your success at KBear102.com, and you could win a prize. Winners are chosen by random drawing, and all entries have an equal chance of winning.
Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.
