Aguiar, who defeated Harrison at a Paris competition earlier

The New York Rangers offered the right opportunity and situation to win hockeys late-summer showcase: the Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes.Vesey chose the Rangers from among eight finalists, agreeing to terms on a two-year entry-level contract Friday that marks the coveted college free agents next step to the NHL. The Hobey Baker winner as the NCAAs player of the year said the Rangers won out because of their intense interest in him, among other factors.The thing that jumped out at me was that they came to really want me, Vesey said on a conference call. It seemed that they really needed to have me in their lineup and it seemed that they believe in me. That was something that I was looking for.Vesey, who had 24 goals and 22 assists in 33 games for Harvard last season, couldve been a top-six forward for the Nashville Predators, who drafted him 66th overall in 2012. But Vesey told the Predators hed explore free agency rather than sign, so they traded his rights in June to the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick.Taking a calculated risk for the inside track, the Sabres were in the mix to sign Vesey along with the Rangers, Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and his hometown Boston Bruins. Vesey said he and his representatives looked at each teams depth chart before meeting to get an idea where he might best fit in.Vesey felt he could plug in right away for the Rangers, and figures to be a top-nine forward, even if general manager Jeff Gorton made no official promises on where hed fit in the lineup.I never got the feeling that he was looking for any kind of promise, Gorton said on a conference call. I think that hes a pretty proud guy. Hes very confident in his ability. When he looks at our team, I think he sees an opportunity to play. I think he likes the fact that some other players that we brought in recently have gotten an opportunity as young players.Former captain Chris Drury, the 1998 Hobey Baker winner, helped sell the Rangers along with coach Alain Vigneault and one of Veseys childhood friends, winger Kevin Hayes, who also went unsigned out of Boston College and had 45 points in his rookie season.Hayes was a big deal two summers ago when he spurned the Blackhawks for the Rangers, but Veseys process admittedly took on a life of its own. It wasnt like The Decision with LeBron James, and the 23-year-old said he didnt expect or want this kind of attention and isnt worried about it shifting more pressure to him in New York.They dont expect me to come in and be a savior, Vesey said. I think Im just a piece they want to add, and hopefully I can help the New York Rangers win hockey games.The 6-foot-3, 203-pound forward from North Reading, Massachusetts, native had 144 points in 128 games at Harvard, so that level of production will bring the spotlight. So will the fact that several celebrities and New York-area athletes took to Twitter to convince Vesey to go there.Darryl McDaniels from Run-DMC, actress Susan Sarandon, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and former Giants defensive end Justin Tuck were among those who tweeted at Vesey vouching for the Rangers. Vesey said he tried to stay off social media this week, but had friends texting him the tweets, so he was well aware of what was going on.They were pretty funny and pretty cool that those celebrities were reaching out to me, Vesey said. I dont think it had a factor in the decision, so to speak, but one of the things I definitely liked about New York was the top-notch lifestyle that the city offers.Something had to tip the scales because NHL rules limit the contract to two years with a base salary of $925,000 and bonuses. Every team could give Vesey the maximum money, so he had to decide based on the right fit.The Rangers have been looking to get younger after not making a first-round pick since 2012. Vesey fits that bill.We have a really good player with a lot of intangibles, Gorton said. Hes got an ability to score, he can make plays, hes a very talented player. Holger Badstuber Bayern Munich Jersey . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Sebastian Rode Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. http://www.soccerfcbayernshop.com/kids-jeong-wooyeong-munich-jersey/ . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Jan Kirchhoff Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. LONDON -- When the judo events kick off at the Rio de Janeiro Games, the home team will send out a defending Olympic champion on the first day of competition.With five other top-ranked judoka on its Olympic team, Brazil has a particularly strong home advantage. Although judo has traditionally been dominated by the Japanese, who created the modern martial art, the combat sport has become truly universal. That means the Japanese team, which won only a single gold medal at London in its worst-ever Olympic showing -- is no longer the favorite.Marius Vizer, president of the International Judo Federation, said he expects to see more unexpected winners at Rio.I think Mongolia will be the big surprise of the Olympic games, he said. Vizer also noted strong fighters from the U.S., Greece, Georgia, France, Russia, Cuba and South Korea. There will also be two refugee competitors, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, competing under the International Olympic Committee flag.Vizer said some rule changes to judo -- including the outlawing of leg grabs -- were made to distinguish the sport from others like wrestling and will hopefully inspire more fighters to attempt the big throws judo is known for. Fights can be won instantly if judoka flip their opponents flat on their back with considerable force and speed.While some have criticized the rule changes arguing that they favor the Japanese style of judo, which focuses on throws rather than the groundwork component of judo, Vizer said the tweaks are necessary to modernize the sport.Countries with a strong wrestling tradition, such as those in Eastern Europe and Brazil, have typically produced judo fighters who win once judo fighters end up on the ground. Thats when competitors struggle to either pin their opponents for 20 seconds or force them to tap out by applying a stranglehold or an armbar, a move where the limb is hyperextended to the point it might break.In light of the Russia doping scandal, Vizer said that no sanctions were handed to Russian judoka and that clean Russian athletes should have a chance just like other clean athletes from any other country in a statement. Russias Presiddent Vladimir Putin is the honorary president of the judo federation.ddddddddddddRETURNING STARFrenchman Teddy Riner is simply the most successful judoka of all time. The 27-year-old heavyweight has won a record eight world championship titles, five European titles and two Olympic medals, including a gold at the London games. At 6-foot-8 inches, Riner strikes an imposing figure on the judo mat but moves surprisingly fast for a heavyweight. Riner tends to dominate by throwing his big right arm over his opponents head to take control of the fight, and very few of his competitors have been able to prevent Riner from securing a dominant grip on their uniforms.BEST RIVALRYAfter becoming the first American to win a judo gold medal, Kayla Harrison will be looking to defend her title in Rio. Her biggest roadblock might be longtime rival Brazilian Mayra Aguiar, who defeated Harrison at a Paris competition earlier this year with a match-ending throw. The two have now fought 16 times -- and split the victories evenly. At a world cup final in Sao Paolo several years ago where Harrison won over Aguiar on penalties, she was booed by the local crowd. Harrison described Brazilian judo fans as wild after the experience. Good thing I dont speak Portuguese, because if I did, I might cry.OLYMPIAN EFFORTTwo judoka athletes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be fighting as part of the IOC refugee team in Rio. Yolande Bukasa Mabika will be competing in the womens 70-kilogram division and Popole Misenga will be fighting in the mens 90-kilogram division. The two are currently training in Brazil. Misenga sought asylum in Brazil when he arrived to compete in the world championships being held there and credits the technical training he has received with making him a better fighter.You cant let people think that just because they are refugees, they have to stop what theyre doing, he said. Even though they are refugees, they need to continue practicing their sport.---Rachel Cohen in New York contributed to this report. ' ' '