The National Womens Hockey League is slashing its player salaries in half in a drastic cost-cutting measure thats regarded as one of the second-year leagues only chances to continue operating this season.The players have been informed in the interest of keeping the league financially viable that we have to enact salary cuts effective immediately, NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan said during a conference call with reporters Friday.We fell short on some projections and we had to pivot and make a business decision at the end of the day, she said. And the decision was, if we want to exist and we want to save the season, we have to make the appropriate decisions to do so.Without specifying the amount of the cuts, Rylan went public with her announcement a day after she informed team executives and players.A person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that player salaries were cut by 50 percent, which represents as much as $540,000 in savings. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Rylan declined to disclose any figures.Rylan did say the cuts do not apply to league employees and team employees who are not players.She said team executives will have added responsibilities in an effort to increase ticket sales and attract sponsors. The four-team league has franchises in Boston; New York; Stamford, Connecticut; and Buffalo, New York.Rylan also announced Dunkin Donuts, the NWHLs largest corporate sponsor, is committing an additional $50,000 investment in money that will go directly to paying players.She blamed part of the cash-flow crunch on declining attendance a month into the season.Last year, the NWHL became North Americas first womens hockey league to pay player salaries, which range from $10,000 to $26,000.The cuts represent a major setback for an upstart league Rylan established in what was essentially a startup venture supported by investors and corporate sponsors.Midway through last season, Rylan was so confident the NWHL model would be a success that she entertained questions of expansion.Now, there are questions as to whether the league will be around for a third season.I think we can agree after yesterdays news it would be pretty foolish of me to guarantee anything, Rylan said. But we have every hope and expectation that the league will be around for many years to come.New York Riveters defenseman Ashley Johnston said players were shocked upon being informed of the need for pay cuts.When I first heard the news, I think probably gut-wrenching is the best way to describe it, Johnston said. Its kind of going through the different stages of mourning. Youre sad, youre frustrated, all the things that youd expect.Though a setback, she doesnt foresee players choosing to opt out of their contracts.The easy thing right now would be for everyone to pack up their bags and go home, Johnston said. But Im never one to really think that the easy thing is the right thing to do. Its just going to be figuring out our next steps and where we go as a team, as a league and as a family from here.NWHL players options are also very limited when it comes to continuing to play after college.The Canadian Womens Hockey League is a month into its 10th season and the rosters of its five teams -- including one in Boston -- are mostly set.CWHL players also arent paid salaries but instead earn prize money for winning the regular season and playoff titles. The league has announced plans to begin paying players some sort of a stipend as early as next season.Though many in hockey circles -- including Calgary Flames President Brian Burke -- have lobbied for the two leagues to merge, Rylan has been cool to the proposal in part because the two operate on different business models.On Thursday, Rylan said she has had amicable talks with CWHL officials, but added she has nothing new to report on any merger plans.Rylan said she did not reach her decision to cut salaries lightly.It came after trying everything we could from a business perspective to avoid it, Rylan said. Yes, this is a setback. But sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward. And thats what were learning here.---This story has been corrected following a new estimate from a person with direct knowledge of the decision to reflect that the savings are expected to be $540,000, not $440,000, and corrects the spelling of Riveters defensemans name to Johnston, not Johnson.Sacramento Kings Gear .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Vlade Divac Jersey . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. https://www.cheapkingsbasketball.com/1562b-harry-giles-jersey-kings.html . Kyle Denbrook, a soccer player from Saint Marys University, took the CIS male athlete of the week honour. 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SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.TORONTO -- Los Angeles Kings forward Marian Gaborik is leaving the World Cup of Hockey and will be out for eight weeks because of a foot injury.Team Europe general manager Miroslav Satan says Gaborik was injured during Sundays 3-2 overtime win over Sweden in the tournament semifinals.The Europeans will miss the high-scoring Slovakian winger on Tuesday night in Game 1 of a best-of-three series against Canada.Hes a game-changer, Team Europe forward Frans Nielsen said Monday.Gaborik scored his second goal in four World Cup games against the Swedes, helping Team Europe advance to the finals.He had 12 goals and 10 assists last season for the Kings, playiing just 54 games in the regular season because of a knee injury.dddddddddddd He was out of the lineup for two months before returning for the playoffs. He has 386 goals and 773 points in his career.The 34-year-old Gaborik has struggled with major injuries repeatedly in his NHL career, which began during the 2000-01 season with the Minnesota Wild. He is entering the third season of a seven-year, $34.125 million contract. The Kings gave him the deal after the late-season acquisition helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2014. ' ' '