Modano skates for 1st time with Red Wings

Hockey Betting Lines

09/09/2010 -

DETROIT (AP) - Mike Modano grew up dreaming of skating at Joe Louis Arena as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. He actually did it Thursday morning.

The 40-year-old center, who signed a one-year, free agent deal with the Red Wings worth $1.25 million and the possibility of $500,000 more through performance-based bonuses, joined most of his new teammates during an informal skate.

``It feels good. Feels great to be at the Joe skating again,'' said Modano, a native of the Detroit suburb of Livonia who has spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Dallas Stars/Minnesota North Stars organization.

He talked about getting accustomed to new routines each day and how he had tearful goodbyes with several of the close friends he made in Dallas.

``Little by little, I'm getting accustomed to things,'' Modano said.

He also talked about a bit of personal history he has with one of his new teammates, veteran defenseman Ruslan Salei, who the Red Wings signed as a free agent a few days after they signed Modano.

On Oct. 2, 1999, Salei - then playing with Anaheim - checked Modano from behind and into the boards causing a concussion and neck sprain. Modano and Salei haven't talked since they became teammates.

``He's always been a hard guy to play against ... Always in your face,'' Modano said. He added that Salei inquired about how Modano was doing through other people.

``Just wanted to make sure I was OK,'' Modano said.

One of Modano's projected linemates, Dan Cleary, was also on the ice Thursday.

``Obviously he's a real good skater,'' Cleary said. ``He's excited ... He's back in his hometown.''

Modano, the highest scoring American-born player in NHL history with 557 goals and 1,359 points, left the arena as a passenger in Todd Bertuzzi's SUV. Bertuzzi was one of the Red Wings' players who Modano knew well and talked to before signing with Detroit.

The eight-time All-Star led Dallas to the Stanley Cup title in 1999. Modano played in the Olympics three times and helped the Americans win silver in 2002.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

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