Sports in brief

NHL

Rangers, Isles make swap

In the first trade between the two clubs since 1972, the Rangers Tuesday acquired Finnish defenseman Jyri Niemi from the Islanders for a sixth-round pick in next month's draft.

Niemi, 19, is 6-3, 210, and had eight goals and 21 assists in 50 games with Saskatoon of the WHL. The Islanders' third-round pick in 2008, Niemi was Finland's captain at this year's Under-20 World Junior Championships.

The news came on the same day as another Finnish defenseman in the Rangers' system, Ilkka Heikkinen, who had eight goals and 37 points in Hartford last season, agreed to a one-year contract with Sibir of Russia's KHL. Heikkinen, 25, told Newsday in February that he probably would return to Europe.

The last swap between the clubs came Nov. 14, 1972, when the Rangers sent right wing Ron Stewart to the Islanders for cash.

Lightning hires Yzerman

Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman, a former Detroit Red Wings captain, is the Tampa Bay Lightning's new general manager.

COLLEGES

Michigan suggests

two-year probation

The University of Michigan admitted to a series of violations in its football program, and its self-imposed sanctions included a recommendation for two years of probation. The school also said seven people, including coach Rich Rodriguez, had been reprimanded and another was fired.

Michigan said it will cut back practice and training time by 130 hours over the next two years. Athletic director David Brandon said the school decided not to take away scholarships or eliminate coaching positions.

The NCAA sanctions are not expected for months.

The violations came to light last fall when anonymous players told the Detroit Free Press that they were exceeding NCAA limits on practice and training time.- AP