Chicago's Carcillo suspended indefinitely
NEW YORK, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Dan Carcillo has been suspended indefinitely after delivering an illegal hit this week, the NHL said Tuesday.
Carcillo was handed a 5-minute major boarding penalty and a game misconduct following a check from behind to Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tom Gilbert during Monday's contest in Chicago.
Both players were chasing a puck behind the net when Carcillo left his feet to slam Gilbert into the endboards from behind.
Gilbert's head bounced off the glass on the play, on which Carcillo also appeared to be injured.
Carcillo, 26, has drawn repeated suspensions, including a two-game sanction this season for an illegal check on Carolina defenseman Joni Pitkanen.
Jagr out 7-10 days with groin strain
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Flyers forward Jaromir Jagr will miss at least a week of action with a mild groin strain, General Manager Paul Holmgren said Tuesday.
Jagr, third on the Flyers in scoring with 12 goals and 19 assists, will be out 7-10 days with a mild strain suffered during Monday's 2012 Winter Classic outdoor game at Citizens Bank Park.
He sustained the injury while skating between two New York Rangers defenders late in the first period.
Initial reports indicated Jagr had aggravated a calf injury he suffered Thursday at Pittsburgh.
Cubs sign Reed Johnson to 1-year deal
CHICAGO, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson is returning to the team as a free agent with a one-year deal, Cubs officials announced Tuesday.
Johnson played for the Cubs from 2008-09, spent 2010 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and returned to the North Side this past season, hitting .309 with five home runs, 22 doubles and 28 RBI over 111 games.
The 36-year-old began his career with the Toronto Blue Jays (2003-07).
Johnson will play his 1,000th major-league game in his third contest of the upcoming season. He has hit .283 with 59 homers, 178 doubles and 349 RBI in his career.
Alleged Naposki accomplice on trial
SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The girlfriend of a California millionaire shot to death in 1994 by ex-NFL player Eric Naposki is about to be tried as his accomplice, prosecutors say.
The Orange County Register reported Tuesday jury selection is to begin this week for what is expected to be a 10-day trial for Nanette Johnston, charged as an accomplice in the slaying of William McLaughlin, who made a fortune in the pharmaceutical industry.
Prosecutors contend Naposki, a linebacker who had played for New England and Indianapolis in 1988 and 1989, was having an affair with Johnston behind McLaughlin's back.
Naposki, now 45, was convicted by an Orange County jury in July of first-degree murder plus the special circumstances of murder for financial gain. He faces sentencing Jan. 20.
Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy contends it was Johnston who put Naposki up to the killing to collect $1 million in life insurance and be allowed to live for a year in a beach house McLaughlin owned.
Authorities said McLaughlin had answered an ad in a dating magazine placed by Johnston in 1991. Directed at "Wealthy Men Only," the ad read "Classy, well-educated woman ... knows how to take care of her man ... you take care of me and I'll take care of you."
McLaughlin, 50 at the time, began dating Johnston, who was 25. She soon moved into his expensive home in a gated Newport Beach community.
On Dec. 15, 1994, someone got inside McLaughlin's home with a key while Johnston was out shopping, and shot and killed him with a 9mm handgun.
No arrests were made in 1994, though detectives suspected at the time Johnston and Naposki were involved, the Register said.
