Ice Hockey: Award-winning Swede is new Knights coach

London Knights have appointed the Swede Jim Brithen as their new coach. Brithen, who was in charge of the Danish national team for five years, replaces Bob Leslie, who left last week to spend more time with his ill wife.

Brithen was named Coach of the Year last season after he led Modo-Hockey to second place in the Swedish Elite League and their play-offs.

Brithen's first game in charge is against the joint-leaders Nottingham Panthers at the National Ice Centre on Saturday. London, four points behind Panthers and Sheffield Steelers, are unbeaten in their last five games and a win would strengthen their claims for a first Superleague title.

Two former Sheffield Steelers players, Tony Hand and Ken Priestlay, will have their official shirt numbers retired tonight. The pair return to the House of Steel with the British National League champions Dundee Stars, where Hand is player-coach, for the first part of a two-leg challenge match. The pair were part of the 1996 Grand Slam-winning side and collected 12 trophies between them.

In Finland, the Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser has signed a professional contract with Salamat after a month's trial that saw her become the first woman to record a point. Wickenheiser, 24, got the point 10 days ago when she assisted on a goal.