Ranger Future Put in Hands of 64-Year-Old Muckler

John Muckler became coach of the troubled New York Rangers on Thursday, promising a mix of “run and gun” and “trap” styles in trying to get the team back on track.

“I think you have to have a little of both,” the 64-year-old Muckler said after he was introduced to the media as the team’s 28th coach.

Muckler, who coached the Edmonton Oilers to a Stanley Cup title in 1990, was hired one day after the firing of Colin Campbell.

Campbell was fired Wednesday by General Manager Neil Smith in the midst of a 17-24-16 season.

Muckler signed a contract that will take him two seasons beyond this one, with an option for a third year. Terms were not disclosed.

“I look at John as one of the best all-around hockey people I’ve ever met,” Smith said. “We’ve fortified our staff for the future of the club.”

Muckler was both a coach and general manager with the Buffalo Sabres in the 1990s. With Muckler as general manager last season, the Sabres won the Northeast Division title and he was named NHL executive of the year.

Pro Football

John Elway will have surgery on his throwing shoulder Monday, a sign that he’ll return next season to help the Denver Broncos defend their Super Bowl championship.

Elway’s agent has told the team that the 37-year-old quarterback will return for his 16th season, but Elway has not confirmed that. However, he has said that a third surgery on his right shoulder would indicate he’ll be back.

Defensive end Alfred Williams will have surgery on his right triceps Monday. Defensive end Neil Smith is scheduled to have surgery on his right triceps March 3.

The San Francisco 49ers signed defensive end Gabe Wilkins, who started for the Green Bay Packers last season.

Wilkins, who had 50 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season, reportedly signed a five-year contract worth $4 million a season.

The 49ers also signed Irv Smith, the New Orleans Saints’ tight end, to a reported five-year deal.

Packer running back Edgar Bennett’s agent, Philip Williams, said Bennett will join the Chicago Bears, but he declined to give details.

Former Packer punter Craig Hentrich signed a multiyear contract with the Tennessee Oilers. Terms of the deal were not released.

The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a three-year contract with kicker Gary Anderson, who holds the NFL career record for field goals.

Guard Joe Patton re-signed with the Washington Redskins, turning down a more lucrative offer from the 49ers.

Patton’s five-year deal was for $12.5 million, which includes a $3-million signing bonus. San Francisco reportedly offered Patton a package worth as much as $15 million.

With Winston Moss’ future uncertain after he broke his neck in a game in December, the Seattle Seahawks agreed to a four-year, $11-million contract with Darrin Smith to replace him at outside linebacker.

The Seahawks, however, were looking for a new starting center after Kevin Mawae signed a five-year contract with the New York Jets.

Tennis

Steffi Graf, playing in her second singles match since knee surgery eight months ago, rallied before losing to Belgium’s Sabine Appelmans, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), in the quarterfinals of the $450,000 Faber Grand Prix at Hanover, Germany.

Graf next plans to play in Indian Wells, March 5-15.

Marcelo Rios of Chile led the top four seeded players into the quarterfinals of the St. Jude tennis tournament in Memphis, Tenn., defeating American Vincent Spadea, 6-2, 6-3.

Second-seeded Michael Chang eliminated Italian Andrea Gaudenzi, 6-3, 6-3; third-seeded Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil beat American Jan-Michael Gambill, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4); and fourth-seeded Australian Mark Philippoussis ousted Dutchman Sjeng Schalken, 6-4, 6-4.

Defending champion Marc Rosset reached the semifinals of the $1-million European Community Championship at Antwerp, Belgium, with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Yevgeny Kafelnikov and because of an injury to Magnus Larsson.

Larsson pulled out of the quarterfinals because of an ankle injury, meaning Rosset had a walkover into Saturday’s semifinals.

Top-seeded Petr Korda, Patrick Rafter, Greg Rusedski, Jeff Tarango and Thomas Johansson also advanced to the quarterfinals.

Names in the News

Daniel Komen of Kenya broke the world 5,000-meter indoor record by more than seven seconds in the Globen Galan track meet at Stockholm. Komen was timed in 12 minutes 51.48 seconds, breaking the record of 12:59.04 set by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia last year.

Former Dallas Cowboy coach Barry Switzer testified in Dallas that he was joking during an encounter with two men who claim he physically attacked them and made racial remarks. Randy Mayes and Stephon Bolton, both 36, are seeking $300,000 in punitive damages, and $600,000 for mental anguish over the October 1994 encounter in a hotel lobby. . . . David Thomas, associate athletic director at Cal State Los Angeles, has resigned to become athletic director at Bowie State in Maryland.

UCLA’s men’s soccer team, which won the NCAA championship in December, will be honored by Los Angeles City Council members Joel Wachs and Michael Feuer today.