BC-Sports Showcase Digest

A look ahead to top enterprise and feature stories planned globally by AP Sports. New digests will go out each Thursday and Monday and will be repeated on other weekdays. Please note that story plans may change depending on news and other issues.

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As with all our operations, we welcome and want your feedback. If you have thoughts or questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia, deputy sports editor for presentation and storytelling, at 215-446-6632 or at ogarcia@ap.org.

All times are Eastern.

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FRIDAY, Nov. 30

HKN--FUTURE EXPANSION

The NHL will soon have 32 teams if Seattle expansion is approved as expected next week. An even balance between conferences. A cross-border rival for the Canucks in the Pacific Northwest. Surely the league is done for a while? Maybe not: With Quebec City and Houston among the top North American markets waiting for a team, franchise values rising and European expansion possible down the road, 32 may not be the magic number. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 5 a.m. Friday.

SUNDAY, Dec. 2

BC-US--ANTI-SEMITISM-JEWISH ATHLETES

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Julian Edelman has tried to tune else everything out when he's playing football, even when opposing fans shouted anti-Semitic comments at him. But after a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the New England Patriots receiver wore an Israeli baseball cap for his postgame interviews as a sign of support for the victims. "It's not like one of those things where you're gonna put your head under the ground and kind of hide," Edelman said. "You're gonna say, 'Hey, that's what makes us stronger.'" Jewish athletes said in a series of interviews that anti-Semitic incidents are rare, but the Pittsburgh shooting could bring the community closer together. By Jimmy Golen. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 3 a.m. Sunday.

MONDAY, Dec. 3

BC-SUF_BETTER THAN GOLD

If Stephanie Gilmore wins the gold medal when surfing makes its Olympic debut next year, it might be considered a very nice bonus. Now in the conversation as the greatest of all time on the women's side in her sport, Gilmore successfully fought for another prize — equal pay for the women — on the professional tour where she and the rest of her rivals make their living. By National Writer Eddie Pells. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 3 a.m. Monday.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5

HKN_AROUND THE NHL

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — USA Hockey has developed the nation's top players for more than two-plus decades, producing a quartet of No. 1 overall picks in the NHL draft, including Auston Matthews and Patrick Kane. The next one, Jack Hughes, may be the best one. The dynamic, smooth-skating center is the most talented player the National Team Development Program has ever had, according to one of its original staff members. By Hockey Writer Larry Lage. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 3 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5.

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Again, if you have questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia at 215-446-6632 or ogarcia@ap.org.

Thanks,

AP Sports