Sports shorts
Hockey Lemieux returning to Pens
PRESTO, Pa. (AP) – In good shape and without any physical problems, Mario Lemieux said Friday he will return to the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.
Lemieux spoke publicly for the first time since early March when he announced a premature end to the 2001-02 season because of a nagging hip injury. He announced his return during the Mario Lemieux Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Club in Nevillewood.
“I just started working out in early May to try to keep in shape,” Lemieux said.
Lemieux played just 24 games in the regular season after injuring his hip during the preseason in early September. He also took time off for surgery and to help Team Canada win the gold medal during the Winter Olympics.
The Penguins’ captain and owner says he’s looking forward to working out with some NHL players in early August, a month before Pittsburgh begins training camp.
“That’s when we’re going to start skating with Mark Recchi and Kevin Stevens and a bunch of guys that are here in Pittsburgh,” Lemieux said.
Football
Steelers sign Hope
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety Chris Hope to a three-year contract on Thursday.
The contract for Hope, a third-round draft pick out of Florida State, is worth $1,304,500, including a signing bonus of $399,500. He will receive $225,000 the first year, $300,000 the second and $380,000 in the final year of the contract.
Hope, 21, played in two national championship games with the Seminoles.
Auto racing
Local racers do well
Mount Pleasant’s Frank Turck held off the field at the Motordome Speedway Friday night to win the 20-lap Subway Street Stocks to pace a good night for local racers.
Ruffsdale’s Eugene Ciferno held on to fifth place in the 20-lap Kelly Auto Air Pro Trucks feature.
White’s Chuck Keslar was second.
Acme’s Neil Brown finished fifth in the 100-lap Coors Light Late Models feature.
Golf
Ruby scores double-eagle
Uniontown’s Marc Ruby scored a double-eagle at Mystic Rock Golf Course’s No. 5 hole.
The hole-in-one was witnessed by Terry Mulholland Sr. and Timmy Mulholland.