Briefs | Canucks' Morrison might miss up to 12 weeks

NHL

Morrison has wrist surgery, to remain in cast at least six weeks: Vancouver Canucks center Brendan Morrison could be out for up to 12 weeks after surgery on his right wrist Monday.

Morrison, 32, is in a cast that runs from his fingers to his upper arm. He is expected to remain in a cast for at least six weeks. Morrison jammed his wrist into the boards during a Sept. 26 exhibition game.

Morrison said he is hopeful he will be back for the playoffs.

Simon takes paid leave from Islanders: Forward Chris Simon took a paid leave from the New York Islanders, agreeing with team officials that he needed time away from hockey after his latest penalty for attempting to injure an opponent.

Simon, 35, missed the first five games of this season while completing a 25-game ban — his sixth league suspension — meted out in March. He could be in line for another long suspension after he took down Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu and stepped on the back on Ruutu's leg Saturday.

"The actions of Chris Simon on Saturday do not reflect what the New York Islanders stand for," team owner Charles Wang said in a statement.

McCabe has hand surgery: Toronto defenseman Bryan McCabe, 32, had hand surgery and will be out from six to eight weeks. He broke three bones in his left hand during Saturday's loss in Montreal.

Olympics

Americans honored: The 1980 U.S. Olympians who never had a chance to compete at the Moscow Games can say it: They are gold medalists.

But these aren't Olympic medals. Rather, they are Congressional Gold Medals that were awarded to the 461 Olympic athletes during the Carter administration but never officially recorded in the Congressional Record because of technical problems with the production of the medals.

"This is long-overdue recognition for a group of Olympians who unfairly were denied the opportunity and honor of representing our country at the 1980 Games," said Darryl Seibel, U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman.

Golf

Masters field takes shape: With the final Official World Golf Ranking published, Masters invitations will be in the mail soon. American Boo Weekley is among 14 players who will be playing the Masters for the first time.

The Masters takes the top 50 from the ranking at the end of 2007; because there are no tournaments for the rest of the year, 11 players who were not previously eligible were added to the field Monday.

Leading the way was Henrik Stenson at No. 16, ahead of 10 others from abroad: Trevor Immelman, Lee Westwood, Toru Taniguchi, Nick O'Hern, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Shingo Katayama, Robert Karlsson, Richard Sterne, Soren Hansen and Anders Hansen.

Augusta National also will take the top 50 from the world ranking published March 31, about a week before the Masters. The Masters also will take winners from every PGA Tour event, except for the two in Mexico and Puerto Rico held opposite World Golf Championships.

Tennis

Federer, Henin honored: Roger Federer of Switzerland was named as the International Tennis Federation's 2007 world champion, joining American Pete Sampras as the only men to win the award in four consecutive years.

Justine Henin of Belgium earned the women's accolade for the second consecutive year and third time overall.

Soccer

Brazilians collect awards: Brazil midfielder Kaka, who plays for AC Milan of Italy, was honored as FIFA's World Player of the Year. Marta of Brazil captured the women's award.

Terry breaks bones in foot: England captain John Terry will be out for as long as six weeks after breaking three bones in his right foot during Chelsea's 1-0 loss Sunday at Arsenal.

Dynamo coach gets extension: Houston Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear, 40, who led his team to back-to-back Major League Soccer titles, received a contract extension through 2010.

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