Sports in brief: Lemaire returning to New Jersey

Hockey: Jacques Lemaire is returning for a second stint as coach of the New Jersey Devils.

Lemaire, who coached the Devils for five seasons in the mid 1990s and led them to the first of three Stanley Cups, was hired Monday to replace Brent Sutter, who resigned after two seasons.

Contract terms were not disclosed but the 63-year-old Lemaire said he intends to coach at least two seasons.

“I never thought I would be back,” Lemaire said. “I said at that time when I was leaving after five years, and it was five great years, I wanted to cherish this for the rest of my life and the rest of my career, but I never thought one day I would come back.”

The deal reunites Lemaire with general manager and president Lou Lamoriello and goaltender Martin Brodeur, the combination that turned that Devils from a contender to a champion in 1995.

“Jacques Lemaire is one of the most respected coaches in the game,” Lamoriello said during a conference call. “He is a teacher and a communicator, and knows what it takes to have success.”

•Judge rejects deposition: Jerry Reinsdorf and his partners won’t be subjected to questioning by attorneys for team owner Jerry Moyes as they work to put together a bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Judge Redfield T. Baum rejected a request by Moyes to have Reinsdorf and several others in the potential ownership group give depositions before the July 24 deadline for submitting their bid.

Police interview Pitino after complaint

Basketball: Rick Pitino’s lawyer says police have interviewed Pitino and have been investigating allegations brought by a woman charged with trying to extort money from the Louisville coach.

Attorney Steve Pence said that Pitino has been cooperating with investigators and the allegations are false. The woman, Karen Cunagin Sypher, pleaded not guilty last month in federal court to charges of trying to extort money from Pitino and lying to the FBI.

•McGrady making change: Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady will swap his No. 1 uniform number for No. 3.

McGrady’s old number will go to new teammate Trevor Ariza, the Lakers forward who agreed to a multiyear deal with Houston on July 2.

McGrady wore No. 3 in high school. He is making the switch to promote his humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region of the Sudan and a documentary on his summer 2007 visits to refugee camps in the region. The documentary, “3 Points,” is set for release this fall.

•Magic match Gortat offer: The Orlando Magic have retained backup center Marcin Gortat, matching the $34 million, five-year deal offered by the Dallas Mavericks to the restricted free agent.

•Vandals on world stage: Luciano de Souza and Luiz Toledo, two University of Idaho players, helped Brazil to a 3-3 record at the World University Games that concluded Saturday in Belgrade, Serbia.

De Souza, a senior forward, led the Brazilian squad with 15.2 points per game and averaged 6.2 rebounds per game. Toledo, a sophomore forward, averaged eight points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Iraq beats Palestine in Baghdad friendly

Soccer: Iraq played its first game in Baghdad since before the 2003 invasion, beating Palestine 4-0 in a friendly and triggering wild celebrations among Iraqis unable to watch their national sports teams during years of war.

Hawar Mulah Mohammed scored in the 27th minute, while Karar Jassim and Alaa Abdul-Zahraa followed and Emad Mohammed scored the fourth on a penalty for the Asian champions.

•Donovan makes All-Star squad: Landon Donovan is an All-Star for the ninth time in nine MLS seasons.

The Los Angeles Galaxy forward joins seven first-time All-Stars among the first 11 players announced. Players, coaches, general managers, media and fans voted on the group, which will face Premier League club Everton on July 29 in Utah.

The defending champion Columbus Crew, first-year Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo have two players each.

•Red Bulls sign Krupnik: The New York Red Bulls have signed defender Leo Krupnik from Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Premier League.

•Tevez joins Manchester City: Argentina striker Carlos Tevez agreed to join Manchester City on a five-year deal as the wealthy Premier League club continues its bid to become a force in the game.

The 25-year-old Tevez will complete his switch across Manchester from City’s more illustrious neighbor United, where he had previously played on loan, after a medical examination.

California teen back in U.S. waters

Miscellany: Southern California teenager Zac Sunderland has sailed back into U.S. waters near San Diego, meaning he has only about 100 miles to go to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone.