NHL player found dead

FORMER NHL player Wade Belak was found dead in his condominium in Toronto yesterday. Belak, an enforcer who played in parts of 14 seasons with five teams, was 35.

A source with the Nashville Predators confirmed the news to NHL.com. Several reports in Toronto said that he hanged himself. Belak finished his career with the Predators and remained with the team in an organizational role following his retirement in March.

Belak is the third NHL player to die this offseason. In May, the New York Rangers' Derek Boogaard died of an accidental mix of alcohol and oxycodone. In August, Winnipeg's Rick Rypien committed suicide.

In other NHL news:

* Boston Bruins center Marc Savard is not expected to play this season and his career is in jeopardy, general manager Peter Chiarelli said. Savard, 34, has not played since suffering his second major concussion in less than a year on Jan. 22 and is still suffering from the effects of postconcussion syndrome.

Texas A&M said it plans to leave the Big 12 by July 2012 if it is accepted by the SEC or another league. Nebraska and Colorado already have left the conference.

* The lawyer for four men injured in a brawl involving LSU football players expects more arrests for the beating of one client who suffered three fractured vertebrae. LSU starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and reserve linebacker Josh Johns turned themselves in to the East Baton Rouge Parish jail.

* University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun, 69, is staying on the job, ending speculation he might retire.

Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton waived California extradition proceedings and will be returned to Georgia in connection with his arrest in a murder case in Atlanta.

* Top negotiators for NBA owners and players met for about 6 hours, their second bargaining session since the league's lockout began.