Quinn Is Fired by the Sabres

Larry Quinn’s rocky 17-month tenure as president and chief executive officer of the Buffalo Sabres ended Wednesday when he was fired by John Rigas, the team’s new owner.

“Given our management structure and style, it is in the best interests of the Sabres’ organization for us to make a change,” said Rigas, whose son, Timothy, will succeed Quinn as CEO.

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Wayne Gretzky will not play for Canada at the World Hockey Championships in Zurich, Switzerland May 1-17.

“It’s tough to say no,” the New York Rangers’ star said. “[But] I said at the Olympics that that was my last time playing for Canada.”

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Hall-of-Famer Maurice “Rocket” Richard will return to hospital in Montreal on Friday for tests in his ongoing battle with a rare form of abdominal cancer. Richard, 76, has regained his appetite, stopped losing weight and is in good spirits, his agent said.