Twins Aim For Draft

Daniel and Henrik Sedin, the Swedish twins who are among the top prospects eligible this year, have decided to enter the NHL draft together.

International Management Group, which represents the Sedins, said the 18-year-olds who played on the Swedish national team this year, will make themselves available for the June 26 draft.

During the World Championships this month, there had been suggestions one would stay out until next year to have a better chance of being selected by the same team.

The twins, who were co-winners of the MVP award in the Swedish Elite League, have played together all their lives. Both are considered prospects to be taken in the top ten of the draft.

Penguins await final chapter

The Pittsburgh Penguins wrote a memorable chapter in their intriguing history this season. Too bad for them it was Chapter 11.

Saddled with millions of dollars in debt rung up under owners Howard Baldwin and Roger Marino, the Penguins filed for bankruptcy in October, borrowed to get through the season, then prayed for the best.

They nearly got it.

Despite an avalanche of distractions, including Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux’s bid to bail them out of bankruptcy, the Penguins surprised top-seeded New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs.

The Penguins then were in position to eliminate Toronto, only to lose the final three games. Two were in overtime, both at home.

The end - and it might be permanent - came with Monday’s 4-3 overtime loss on former teammate Garry Valk’s overtime goal at 1:57.

Now, the save must come not from goaltender Tom Barrasso, but U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bernard Markovitz.

Only the judge, and the dozens of creditors who are owed anywhere from $26 million (Lemieux) to a few thousand dollars (a limousine company), can save the 32-year-old franchise.

If creditors approve Lemieux’s reorganization plan by June 24, the Penguins will remain in Pittsburgh. If not, the court could choose an NHL plan that calls for an unidentified buyer - presumably, billionaire Paul Allen - to buy them for $85 million and relocate them, probably to Portland.

Player takes plea

A minor-league hockey player has pleaded guilty to reduced charges from an incident in which he threw his hockey stick into a crowd, injuring two girls.

Barry McKinlay pleaded on two misdemeanor charges Monday in Madison, Wis., and faces a fine of $209. He had been charged with two counts of recklessly injuring a child, counts that carried a prison term of up to four years and a fine of up to $20,000.

McKinlay was playing with the Thunder Bay Thunder Cats when he was ejected from a game and threw his stick into the crowd.