T.J. Oshie, US Olympic star in Sochi and Stanley Cup champion, says he’s retiring

WASHINGTON >> T.J. Oshie, who scored four shootout goals for the U.S. to beat host Russia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, announced Monday he is retiring after playing 16 NHL seasons.

Oshie shared his news in front of hundreds of fans gathered at the fountains at Washington Harbour in Georgetown, seven years to the day of one of the most memorable Cup celebrations in hockey history when he and several teammates jumped into the fountains and took a dip.

President of hockey operations Brian MacLellan, general manager Chris Patrick, coach Spencer Carbery and longtime teammates Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson came out to support Oshie as he called it a career.

The announcement had been expected for quite some time, with Oshie’s contract expiring. The 38-year-old did not play this past season because of a nagging back injury that sidelined him off and on, going on long-term injured reserve instead.

Oshie said in the spring of 2024 he would only return to the Capitals if he found a permanent solution or fix to the issue. His final game was at home on April 28 last year against the New York Rangers, a 4-2 loss in the first round that eliminated Washington in a sweep.

The late Jim Irsay’s 3 daughters take charge of Colts under his transition plan

INDIANAPOLIS >> The Indianapolis Colts are moving forward with the late Jim Irsay’s transition plan for ownership, which calls for his three daughters to take charge of the club.

The team said Monday that Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson each would continue to hold the title of owner, which they have done since 2012 when they were named vice chairs. Irsay-Gordon is now CEO, and Foyt is executive vice president. Jackson will be chief brand officer.

Irsay died last month at age 65. He had long battled issues of health and addiction and had been far less visible following a fall at his home in December.

All three of the sisters grew up around the Colts, just as their father did before taking over as owner following the death of his father, Robert Irsay, in 1997.

Irsay-Gordon has represented the Colts at various NFL meetings since 2004, three years before Foyt joined the front office. Foyt had previously worked for the NFL in London. Jackson has been leading the family’s initiative to raise awareness of mental health.

Pro Bowler Cooke gets $16M extension with Jaguars that makes him highest-paid punter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. >> Jacksonville’s Logan Cooke is now the NFL’s highest-paid punter.

Cooke has signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension with the Jaguars, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because neither side released contract details.

A second-team All-Pro selection in 2024, Cooke had been entering the final year of his second deal with the team. He had been scheduled to make $3 million in 2025 and now will get a raise after making his first Pro Bowl last year. It had been unclear how Jacksonville’s new regime of general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen would handle Cooke’s contract situation.

The Jaguars drafted Cooke in the seventh round from Mississippi State in 2018, and he’s the team’s longest-tenured player.

— The Associated Press