Chelios, Modano Head 13 Returnees to U.S. Hockey Roster

Detroit Red Wing defenseman Chris Chelios and Dallas Star forward Mike Modano are among 13 players back to defend Team USA’s championship in the World Cup of Hockey.

The 26-player roster for this year’s veteran-laden squad was announced Thursday by USA Hockey. The team is coached by San Jose’s Ron Wilson, who led the Americans to victory at the last World Cup in 1996.

Other forwards chosen were Philadelphia’s Tony Amonte, Dallas’ Bill Guerin, Detroit’s Brett Hull, Colorado’s Steve Konowalchuk, Boston’s Brian Rolston, Ottawa’s Bryan Smolinski, St. Louis’ Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk, the New York Islanders’ Jason Blake, Calgary’s Craig Conroy, Buffalo’s Chris Drury, Washington’s Jeff Halpern, New Jersey’s Jamie Langenbrunner and Philadelphia’s Jeremy Roenick.

Other defensemen picked were Detroit’s Derian Hatcher and Mathieu Schneider, Toronto’s Ken Klee and Brian Leetch, Calgary’s Jordan Leopold, the Kings’ Aaron Miller, and New Jersey’s Brian Rafalski.

The goalies were Edmonton’s Ty Conklin, Philadelphia’s Robert Esche and the Islanders’ Rick DiPietro.

The tournament will be held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 at sites in North America and Europe.

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St. Louis Blues forward Mike Danton was “too cowardly” to kill his agent, David Frost, himself, instead enlisting the help of a teenage fan and lover before the scheme unraveled, a prosecutor said in a brief in East St. Louis, Ill., aimed at keeping Danton jailed until trial.

A federal judge could decide during a hearing today whether Danton is released on bond pending trial. Danton has been jailed since his arrest April 16.

Tennis

Serena and Venus Williams were seeded five spots higher than their rankings by the French Open, a move meant to lessen the effect of their long injury absences.

Serena is seeded No. 2, behind top-ranked and defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne. Venus is No. 4, a spot below Amelie Mauresmo.

Top-ranked Roger Federer is No. 1 in the men’s field followed by Andy Roddick. Andre Agassi was seeded fifth.

Pro Football

Baltimore Raven backup quarterback Anthony Wright will undergo surgery on his right shoulder next week, a procedure that could sideline him for four to six months.... The death of Ray Sherman II, the son of Green Bay Packer assistant Ray Sherman, was ruled an accident by a Wisconsin judge. Sherman, 14, died a year ago after shooting himself in the head with his father’s pistol. It was initially ruled a suicide by a medical examiner.

Jurisprudence

Former University of Washington receiver Andy Carroll is suing the NCAA in Seattle, claiming the organization is violating antitrust laws by limiting the number of Division I-A football scholarships that can be awarded to 85.

Carroll, who says he was misled into believing he would receive a scholarship as a walk-on, seeks to end the scholarship restriction and seeks money for walk-ons the suit contends were harmed by the policy.

If class-action status is granted, the suit would represent all football players on Division I-A rosters in the last four years who didn’t get scholarships.

USC offensive lineman Winston Justice is scheduled to appear today in Los Angeles Superior Court for a pretrial hearing. Justice, 19, pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanor counts of exhibition of a replica firearm at his arraignment last month. He was arrested March 3 in an incident that occurred near campus on Feb. 24.