TINLEY PARK, Ill. (AP) — The United States Hockey League on Tuesday unveiled a standard player development agreement that introduces benefits, including support for travel and secondary education and reimbursements for training and career-ending injuries.
The move comes as the USHL adapts to the sport’s changing landscape, which now allows junior players from the Canadian Hockey League to compete at the NCAA level.
The agreement enhances academic support, strength and performance resources, host family housing, mental wellness services and coaching already in place, and the U.S.-based Tier I junior league says it ensures players receive consistent development across all 16 teams.
“The standard player development agreement reinforces that structure by creating clarity and consistency for players and families while supporting the environment that continues to produce more NCAA Division I players and NHL draft selections than any single league in the world," USHL President and Commissioner Glenn Hefferan said. "This is about strengthening a pathway that already works.”
The USHL has partnerships with USA Hockey and the NHL. It says the agreement reaffirms the league's longstanding player-first approach to help athletes pursue participating in Division I college hockey and beyond.
That approach requires a 2-1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 90% of games played on weekends. U.S. Olympic gold medal-winners Auston Matthews, Kyle Connor and Jeremy Swayman are among the USHL products who reached the NHL.
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Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman makes a save against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right hamstring strain.
Hays got hurt during Monday night's 2-1 loss to Baltimore. He pulled up while pursuing Tyler O’Neill’s two-out flyball to left in the fourth inning. The ball landed near the line, and O’Neill was credited with an RBI single when Adley Rutschman scored from first on the play.
Manager Will Venable said Hays has a Grade 1 strain.
“We are looking at two to four weeks. Hoping it’s on the shorter end,” Venable said. “He’ll get going right away with his rehab and the training staff has gone through this before. Feel good that hopefully it’s on the shorter side here.”
The 30-year-old Hays signed a $6 million, one-year contract with the White Sox in free agency. He is batting .219 with a homer and six RBIs in nine games this season.
The White Sox also brought up outfielder Dustin Harris from Triple-A Charlotte. Right-hander Mike Vasil, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
The 26-year-old Harris signed a minor league deal with the team in December. He is batting .217 (10 for 46) with two homers and five RBIs in 21 career major league games — all with Texas.
“Really excited about everything he can do,” Venable said. “Offensively, controlling the zone, he’s a good baserunner. He’s a guy you can trust is going to do the right thing on defense.”
Hays joins fellow outfielder Everson Pereira and catcher Kyle Teel on the team's injured list. Pereira is out with a left ankle sprain, and Teel is coming back from a right hamstring strain.
Pereira tested his injured ankle before Tuesday's game against Baltimore, and he said it went well.
“I feel that I can play, but the trainers are being just cautious,” Pereira said through an interpreter. "Right now we’re just trying to test it as much as we can.”
Venable said Pereira will need a rehab stint in the minors before he returns to the White Sox. He also said Teel is progressing very well.
“He’s very excited, he’s been excited about his progress the entire time here,” Venable said. “I think part of that, especially with a hamstring, is to temper that excitement and really direct it towards the rehab process and the things you need to do. Knowing that he is on the right track though. We’ll see when he starts his rehab, though.”
The White Sox also announced that infielder Brooks Baldwin had an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last week. He is expected to be ready for spring training.
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Chicago White Sox left fielder Austin Hays, center, leaves during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
