Veteran defenseman Ben Lovejoy is hanging up his skates after 11 NHL seasons.

The 35-year-old announced his retirement during a broadcast on NHL Network on Wednesday night.

Undrafted, Lovejoy broke into the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2008-09 season. He also spent time with the Anaheim Ducks and the New Jersey Devils before finishing his career with the Dallas Stars in 2018-19.

Lovejoy captured a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016, contributing two goals and six points while averaging 17:46 of ice time over 24 playoff contests.

The 6-foot-1 rearguard recorded 20 goals and 101 points over 544 career games.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington believes he's worth more than his latest contract indicates, but he also knows what it takes to maintain a winning team in the salary cap era.

This summer, the 26-year-old signed a two-year, $8.8-million contract with the Blues following a historic rookie campaign that saw him join the club in mid-December and spark an incredible run that took it from last place in the league in February to its first-ever Stanley Cup in June.

"You need a good team to win and I think it's a fair deal in that aspect, but obviously I'm confident in myself and believe I deserve more and will earn more, so that just comes with time and experience," Binnington said Tuesday at BioSteel camp, according to TSN. "You've just got to understand the process and just keep building and let the money chase you."

Binnington finished the 2018-19 regular season with a 24-5-1 record, a 1.89 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage, and five shutouts. In the playoffs, the Ontario native became the first rookie netminder in history to record 16 wins.

Off the ice, Binnington captured the attention of fans with his unwavering confidence, which included a postgame interview in February when he was asked about being nervous in close games.

Entering his sophomore campaign, Binnington doesn't plan to change a thing.

"Everyone's their own person and I think for me I just try and find my own motivation every day and whether it's having my own swagger and feeling myself that day I adapt to whatever I'm feeling so yeah, l like to have a good presence," he said. "I respect athletes that put themselves out there and have to back it up. It's kind of a nice addition to the game, so I think just my whole demeanor - I like the way I roll."

Binnington will likely be the Blues' starting netminder on opening night when they begin their defense of the Stanley Cup by hosting the Washington Capitals.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After pledging not to compete in North America this season, more than 200 of the world's top women's hockey players are launching a series of tournaments called the Dream Gap Tour, the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association announced Wednesday.

The "gap" in the tour's name refers to the gap in opportunities that young women encounter if they want to play hockey professionally for a sustainable income.

"You always grow up and hear boys say, 'I want to be a pro hockey player one day.' You don't hear little girls saying that. They say, 'I want to go to the Olympics,'" said U.S. star Kendall Coyne Schofield, according to The Associated Press' John Wawrow. "That's the pinnacle of our sport. I can't make a living playing this sport. ... When I graduate college, I either go to the Olympic Games or get a job."

At each of the tour's four stops, about 80 players will be split into four teams. They'll play a three-game round-robin tournament followed by a championship game. The stops will also include youth clinics.

The tour will start in Toronto from Sept. 20-22, then visit Hudson, New Hampshire, from Oct. 4-6, and Chicago from Oct. 18-20. Union members will also play exhibition games against Boston College on Sept. 21 and against Sharks alumni in San Jose on Sept. 22. Potential tour stops in Southern California and Buffalo are also being discussed.

The PWHPA was formed in May as part of the players' efforts to promote and support a single, viable professional women's league that would showcase the game's top talents.

"We're not talking about millions of dollars here. We just want to be able to live and train full time, and see how far we can take this game," said defenseman Alyssa Gagliardi, who has played in both the CWHL and NWHL. "For so long, it's only been limited to the girls on the national team that can truly do that full time, so this is kind of broadening that."

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran goaltender Cam Ward signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes and will officially retire from the NHL after 14 seasons, the club announced Wednesday.

"It was an honor and a privilege to wear the Hurricanes jersey for 13 years," Ward said in a statement. "Throughout it all, what stayed clear to me was my love for this organization, this city, and this fan base. It is why my family and I call Raleigh home and will continue to call it home. I appreciate all of the support the fans gave me throughout the highs and the lows. I thank you."

Ward, 35, made one of the most remarkable debuts in NHL history, taking over the Carolina net during his rookie season in 2005-06 and leading the Hurricanes to the first and only Stanley Cup in franchise history. The then-22-year-old won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

"I'd also like to thank the great teammates, coaches and staff members I worked with during my time as a player in Carolina," Ward's statement continued. "I will always treasure my memories as a player at PNC Arena, from winning the Stanley Cup to representing the organization in the All-Star Game. While this wasn't an easy decision, I'm looking forward to making the transition with my family and seeing what the future holds for me post-career."

The 6-foot-1 netminder holds several Hurricanes franchise goaltending records with 668 games played, 318 wins, and 27 shutouts. Ward suited up for 701 contests over his career, posting a record of 334-356-88 with a 2.74 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

The Saskatchewan native signed a one-year, $3-million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the 2018-19 season. He appeared in 33 games for the Blackhawks.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils superstar Taylor Hall is healthy and hungry to help his club return to the postseason for the second time in three years.

"We're hoping for a playoff berth this year. I think anything less would be disappointing," Hall told sportsandmoore.com on Saturday.

Hall, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in February, hasn't played since Dec. 23, but he expects to be ready for Devils training camp in September.

"I feel really good," Hall said. "It's been a long process not playing a game for that long. It really takes a toll on you mentally, but being back on the ice and being able to play at a pretty high intensity, even though it's just the summer, feels really nice. I haven't had any issues with the knee so far since I've been skating, and it's been a really good process, so hopefully that can continue into (training) camp."

Despite being limited to just 33 games last season, Hall finished fifth in team scoring for the 29th-place Devils with 37 points.

New Jersey ended a six-year playoff drought in 2017-18, but the club missed the postseason in 2018-19 after a 25-point drop-off. Devils general manager Ray Shero has been active this offseason, however, selecting blue-chip prospect Jack Hughes with the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and trading for All-Star defenseman P.K. Subban and forward Nikita Gusev.

Shero also signed veteran forward Wayne Simmonds to a one-year deal on July 1.

"A guy like Subban has had a lot of success in the League before," Hall said. "A couple of unknowns with Gusev and Hughes, but they're highly skilled players who can hopefully make a huge impact on our team.

"Simmonds is a known commodity and someone who's looking to bounce back and I think he has it in him. I've played against him for a long time in the League and know how hard he is to play against. So with those four guys, and hopefully a healthy year for us, hopefully we can do some damage."

Hall captured the 2017-18 Hart Trophy after recording a career-best 39 goals and 93 points during his second year with the Devils. He became the first player in franchise history to win the award.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have inked forward Pat Maroon to a one-year contract worth $900,000, the team announced on Saturday.

"We're very pleased to add Pat to our organization today," said Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois. "He brings size (6-foot-3, 225 lbs) and physicality to our group as well as significant playoff experience. We expect Pat to be a great addition to the roster."

Maroon signed a one-year deal with his hometown St. Louis Blues ahead of the 2018-19 season, and he played an important role while helping the club capture its first-ever Stanley Cup.

The 31-year-old recorded 10 goals and 28 points over 74 regular-season contests. He then added three goals - including the game-winner in double overtime of Game 7 against the Dallas Stars in the second round - and seven points in 26 playoff games.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames have invited free-agent defenseman Andrew MacDonald to training camp on a professional tryout agreement, the team announced Thursday.

MacDonald, 32, signed a six-year, $30-million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the 2014-15 season, but the Flyers bought him out in June with one year remaining on the deal.

Flames general manager Brad Treliving recently expressed interest in acquiring another defenseman after 20-year-old rearguard Juuso Valimaki tore his ACL during an August training session.

MacDonald recorded nine assists and averaged 16:24 of ice time over 47 contests with the Flyers last season. The veteran blue-liner has tallied 28 goals and 161 points in 586 career contests.

The Flames have $7.76 million in projected cap space with restricted free-agent forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane in need of new contracts, according to CapFriendly.

Calgary bought out the final season of defenseman Michael Stone's contract earlier in August.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Wild have hired former NHL star Bill Guerin as their fourth general manager in franchise history, the team announced Wednesday.

"I am thrilled to announce we have hired Bill Guerin, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, as general manager of the Minnesota Wild," team owner Craig Leipold said. "Bill has been a winner throughout his hockey career and I am extremely pleased to be able to add his experience to our organization and The State of Hockey."

Guerin, 48, could be introduced as soon as Thursday, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

He replaces Paul Fenton, who was fired July 30 after one campaign. The Wild missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012 under Fenton's watch.

Minnesota interviewed Guerin last season before ultimately hiring Fenton.

Leipold and president Matt Majka led the search and were assisted by Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Modano, who spent three seasons playing alongside Guerin with the Dallas Stars and the U.S. national team.

Guerin was hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011 as a player development coach. He was promoted to assistant general manager in 2014 and captured back-to-back Stanley Cups with the club in 2016 and 2017.

During his playing career, Guerin tallied 429 goals and 856 points over 1,239 career games and captured two Stanley Cups. The Worcester, Mass., native was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators have inked forward Colin White to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million, the team announced on Wednesday.

White had been a restricted free agent and the new deal will keep him in Ottawa through the 2024-25 season.

The 22-year-old center had a productive 2018-19 campaign, tallying 14 goals and 41 points in 71 contests while averaging 16:12 of ice time.

Since being selected by the Senators with the 21st overall pick in the 2015 draft, the Boston College product has tallied 47 points in 97 career games.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators have inked forward Colin White to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million, the team announced on Wednesday.

White had been a restricted free agent and the new deal will keep him in Ottawa through the 2024-25 season.

The 22-year-old center had a productive 2018-19 campaign, tallying 14 goals and 41 points in 71 contests while averaging 16:12 of ice time.

Since being selected by the Senators with the 21st overall pick in the 2015 draft, the Boston College product has tallied 47 points in 97 career games.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.