Sports
Reports: Sharks sign Michael Kesselring to three-year, $13.5 million contract
Jan 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring (8) skates with the puck against the New York Islanders during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million deal Monday that prevented him from a becoming a restricted free agent and has an average annual value of $4.5 million, according to NHL.com.
Kesselring, 26, was traded to San Jose from the Buffalo Sabres on June 17 in a move that included the teams swapping 2026 first-round draft picks.
“I want to thank the Sharks and (general manager Mike) Grier and everybody involved,” Kesselring told the media Monday. “I’m extremely confident that I’m going to get back to that level and exceed that level, and the extension shows that they believe in me.”
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Kesselring had two assists in 34 games with the Sabres last season and appeared in one playoff game. He was selected in the sixth round in 2018 by Edmonton but never played a game with the Oilers, who dealt Kesselring to Arizona in March of 2023.
In four seasons with Arizona (2023, 2023-24), Utah (2024-25) and Buffalo (2025-26), Kesselring has 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists) and a plus-minus of 14 in 190 games.
“Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability,” Grier told reporters after the trade with Buffalo. “He is a responsible player in the defensive zone with a well-rounded offensive game and will be a good upgrade for us patrolling the blue line.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Charlie Woods unravels to miss cut by 6 at Pinehurst amateur
Charlie Woods watches his tee shot during the 109th Florida Amateur Championship at The Club at Admiral’s Cove on June 11, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. Charlie Woods finished poorly and missed the cut at this week’s North & South Men’s Amateur tournament at Pinehurst.
The son of golf legend Tiger Woods finished at 7-over-par through 36 holes at the North Carolina resort.
Woods, a rising senior at Florida’s The Benjamin School, was one shot below the projected cut line with four holes remaining in the second round Wednesday.
He finished with three bogeys and a triple bogey to fall six shots short of advancing to match play on Thursday. The top 31 players made the cut.
Woods, 17, has committed to play at Florida State as part of the 2027 recruiting class. He currently is No. 172 in the Rolex American Junior Golf Association rankings.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Judge grants prosecutors access to Tiger Woods' medical records
Fans cheer as Tiger Woods makes his way to the 11th tee during the third round of the Memorial Tournament on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. [Joshua A. Bickel/Dispatch] Prosecutors in Tiger Woods’ DUI case have been allowed to obtain hospital records connected to the golfer’s medical treatment following his rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Fla.
Court documents revealed that prosecutors and Woods’ defense team agreed to allow the State of Florida to request records from Clinic Martin South Hospital related to his hospitalization on March 27.
Per Golf Digest, the State Attorney’s office filed a notice of its intent to subpoena Woods’ medical history from the hospital, specifically seeking “any and all reports documenting statements of the patient regarding alcohol or chemical substances use” and “any and all drug screen results.”
Martin County Judge Darren Steele signed the order on June 23, with the prosecutors and defense agreeing to limit the disclosures to only the State, their designated law enforcement officers and prosecution experts. The records must remain confidential and cannot be shared beyond those parties, per the order.
Woods’ attorney previously challenged a request from prosecutors to subpoena the golfer’s prescription drug records in April.
Woods, 50, has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges following the two-vehicle crash.
Following the arrest, the 15-time major champion announced that he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Alex Ovechkin: 'I'm back' on one-year deal with Capitals
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) wrists a shot on goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images Alex Ovechkin passed on retirement to return to the Washington Capitals on a one-year deal.
The Capitals announced the agreement for next season with the 40-year-old is worth $4.25 million, keeping the NHL’s all-time leader in goals in Washington and out of the rocking chair.
“I’m back,” Ovechkin said in the team-issued statement Thursday. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
Ovechkin can tack on $4.75 million in the form of a bonus by playing only 10 games, the team said. His base salary is $1 million with a signing bonus of $3.25 million.
Ovechkin completed a five-year, $47.5 million deal when the 2025-26 season ended. He said at his exit interview he expected to play hockey again, but wasn’t committed to signing another contract until Thursday.
He turns 41 before the start of the upcoming season.
With Wayne Gretzky in attendance, Ovechkin surpassed the Hall of Fame member when he broke his NHL goal record with career goal No. 895 in a game against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025. Ovechkin has upped his goal total to 929 after scoring a team-leading 32 times this past season.
Ovechkin is 10th all-time in NHL history in total points (1,687).
He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals a league-record nine times since being selected by Washington with the top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Ovechkin guided the Capitals to a Stanley Cup title in 2018 and is a three-time Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL MVP.
–Field Level Media
