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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Newsmakers

From Staff And Wire Reports

Died Former Montreal Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau died Tuesday. He was 83. The Hall of Fame center was one of the most beloved players in Canadiens history. He scored 507 goals and won 10 Stanley Cups.

Agreed A person familiar with the negotiations says Torii Hunter has agreed to a $10.5 million, one-year contract to return to the Minnesota Twins. Hunter, a five-time All-Star outfielder, turns 40 in July. He played with the Twins from 1997-07 before signing with the Los Angeles Angels.

• First baseman Ike Davis and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $3.8 million, one-year contract, while right-hander Fernando Rodriguez has received a $635,000 deal. Davis was acquired last month from the Pirates.

Announced The world’s most famous sled dog race is putting some more cold cash into the hands of its top mushers. The winner of next year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will pocket $70,000, which is $19,600 more than what the top musher received last year.

Gordie Howe’s daughter says the hockey Hall of Famer has suffered another stroke. Cathy Purnell says her father suffered a “significant stroke” on Monday in Lubbock, Texas.

• D.C. United’s Ben Olsen has been voted Major League Soccer’s Coach of the Year and Portland midfielder Rodney Wallace was selected Comeback Player of the Year. Seattle’s Sigi Schmid was second and Columbus’ Gregg Berhalter was third in coach balloting. New England forward Charlie Davies was second in voting, followed by Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei for comeback player.

• America’s Cup organizers have announced that Bermuda has beaten San Diego for the right to host the 2017 regatta. • UFC fighters will wear uniforms made by Reebok next year after the promotion agreed to a sponsorship deal with the sports apparel company. UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said the six-year deal will change the aesthetics and economics of the world’s dominant mixed martial arts promotion by creating a professional, standard look for fighters’ shorts and additional gear, in an individualistic sport.

Improving A Brazilian hospital says Pele has been taken off intensive care as his condition continues to improve. The Albert Einstein Hospital said the 74-year-old Pele is under “semi-intensive” care. The three-time World Cup champion was hospitalized on Nov. 24 after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that stemmed from a Nov. 13 surgery to remove kidney stones.