Illinois

Now-former Blackhawks defenseman James Wisniewski is known as a screwball, as evidenced by the multitude of team promos and other unavoidable YouTube clips. He's also one of the tougher guys on the team, never backing down from a brawl, even if it means risking life and limb like with the serious knee injury he re-aggravated last season after scrapping with Nashville's Jordin Tootoo at the end of a game.

Handing out 10,000 hard hats might not be the brightest promotion at a sport in which fans are known to toss their headwear on the playing surface to celebrate the outstanding accomplishment of a player. And as luck would have it, Jonathan Toews' first career hat trick just so happened to occur on "Blackhawks Hard Hat Night" Friday against the Penguins.

It took the Bears all of two hours into free agency to proudly announce their big off-season acquisition. On Friday, unknown offensive lineman and pencil-pusher Frank Omiyale signed a lucrative four year deal with the team in the mail room at Halas Hall.

Handing out 10,000 hard hats might not be the brightest promotion at a sport in which fans are known to toss their headwear on the playing surface to celebrate the outstanding accomplishment of a player. And as luck would have it, Jonathan Toews' first career hat trick just so happened to occur on "Blackhawks Hard Hat Night" Friday against the Penguins.

Japan, U.S. fight over Fukudome for WBC The Japanese swear they have never heard of Kosuke Fukudome. The U.S. won't let him play because he's not an American. The struggling Cubs' outfielder has taken the role of the last kid picked at recess as teams finalize their World Baseball Classic rosters. Neither side is willing to give in and take him on. Both nations agree it would be best if he's traded to Italy, who have said they won't accept him despite a lack of one recognizable pro on their roster.

Quarterback Rex Grossman is officially a free agent, meaning his tumultous six-year run with the Bears has most certainly ended. Meanwhile, GM Jerry Angelo is confident he can find a mediocre free agent or draft pick to fill Grossman's shoes.

With Spring Training underway, Cubs management decided to hold a reality contest to replace fifth starter Jason Marquis in the rotation after he was dealt to the Rockies last month. Cubs GM Jim Hendry stated his rationale for the unorthodox move at a press conference unveiliing "Who Wants to Be the 5th Starter?"