McConnell Gets Columbus

A tentative agreement was reached that ended Lamar Hunt’s attempt for a share of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who begin play next season, the Columbus Dispatch reported Saturday.

According to the report, ownership will be handed to the group headed by steel magnate John McConnell and his partner, Wolfe Enterprises Inc.

Lawsuits each side filed to win control of the Ohio expansion team will be dropped and Hunt, owner of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, will not receive damages for being excluded from McConnell’s ownership group, attorneys for both sides told the newspaper.

“Basically, both sides are going to go on their way,” said Anthony Celebrezze Jr., Hunt’s attorney.

John Zeiger, an attorney for McConnell’s group, confirmed that an agreement was reached, but said the document had not been completed.

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Chicago Blackhawk forward Jean-Pierre Dumont left the ice on a stretcher during Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins after he was hit by defenseman Darius Kasparaitis. Dumont was injured 5:04 into the third period when he was caught on the chin by Kasparaitis’ elbow near the boards. Dumont was prone on the ice as several of his teammates went after Kasparaitis. Dumont appeared to be conscious and talking to teammates as he was attended to by medical personnel. His neck was immobilized with a brace before he was wheeled off. . . . Forward Robert Reichel signed a two-year contract with HC Litvinov of his native Czech Republic after failing to get a deal from the Phoenix Coyotes. Reichel, who earned $1.7 million last season, has been seeking a multiyear deal for more than $3 million a season.