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As many as 10,000 players formerly under NHL contracts and their family members may pursue court cases against the league, court documents say, alleging it has promoted a culture of violence over the past decades but has failed to established proper rules and protocols for preventing head injuries. The suggestion that so many former players may sue the league comes in a statement of claim filed this week in Minnesota by Cory Larose, a New Brunswick-born forward who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Wild in 2000 but only played seven games in the NHL with the New York Rangers in 2003. Larose, 39, played 425 games in the American Hockey League between 2001 and 2009. He now lives in Maple Grove, Minn., after suffering "multiple head traumas during his NHL career that were improperly diagnosed and treated by the NHL. Mr. Larose was never warned by the NHL of the negative health effects of head trauma, and still suffers from the effects of that head trauma." He is seeking damages of more than $5 million, the lawsuit says. Larose is the latest former NHL player to sue for concussion-related issues. The first group of players included former Maple Leafs stars Gary Leeman and Rick Vaive, who sued the league in November demanding damages and league-financed medical monitoring and treatment for injuries the players said they suffered because of their NH: careers. Vaive later dropped out of the lawsuit. "The NHL purposefully failed to establish reasonable rules and protocols for preventing head trauma and minimizing the effects of head trauma, including during games and practice," Laroses lawsuit says. "What changes the NHL made to its violent construct were purposefully ineffective and solely calculated by the NHL to mislead (Larose)...and the public into ceasing investigations into the risks and consequences of head trauma and the NHLs wrongdoing." The court filing says Larose is seeking to sue as part of a larger class of litigants that include approximately 10,000 former players who include any living players who signed an NHL contract, their spouses and dependents, the estates of deceased players, who have retired formally or informally from playing pro hockey in the NHL and who are not seeking active employment as players with an NHL team. A lawyer involved in one of the concussions lawsuits against the NHL said the judge overseeing the cases is hosting a meeting next week to set out a schedule. The next step is for the league to file motions to dismiss the cases. If those are denied, then the litigants will ask for permission to certify the cases as a class action. If that is denied, then the cases would be heard individually, the lawyer said. Its unclear what kind of judgment the players might ultimately receive if they win the case. In a similar lawsuit filed on behalf of 20,000 former NFL players, the NFL agreed to pay about $700 million. That judgment was later amended, with the league agreeing to an unlimited settlement, based on the medical needs of the players. "In hockey, its a bit easier case to prove because of the fighting in the sport, and hockey players, the ones I have talked to, are generally worse off than the football players," Steven Silverman, a lawyer representing NHL players, told TSN. "There are a number of tragic cases in hockey and weve seen many cases where we have heard that former NHL trainers have been an owners former mechanic or something. They have had no medical qualifications. "But on the other hand, the NHL players have been less willing to come forward, so that makes it harder to predict a settlement number." Several similar lawsuits filed against the NHL have been moved from other venues and will be heard in Minnesota. "None of this is surprising," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN. "Its extremely predictable and doesnt have any impact on exposure or likelihood of ultimate success on the merits." The claims of Larose and other players have not been proven in court and the NHL has yet to file its statement of defence. Avonte Maddox Jersey . Although Spain could still advance out of the group stage, the game may have signalled the end of the run by a generation of Spanish stars whose quick passing, "tiki-taka" style delighted the world and helped them win the last three major tournaments. Avonte Maddox Eagles Jersey . Once again, the third baseman delivered in a big spot. Ramirez kept up his torrid hitting with a two-run homer to help back Wily Peraltas solid start, and the Brewers extended their winning streak to seven with a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Dallas-Goedert-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Josh Sweat Eagles Jersey . Harrison Barnes had 15 points and Reggie Bullock scored 11 for the Tar Heels (17-3, 4-1 ACC), who took the court for the first time without starter Dexter Strickland. The junior guard tore his right ACL last Thursday at Virginia Tech and will miss the rest of the season. Markus Wheaton Jersey . Monta Ellis had 30 points and nine assists, Nowitzki was another of seven Dallas players in double figures with 11 points and the Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-104 Tuesday night.FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox right-hander Ryan Dempster plans to take this season off, a decision that surprised teammates and will cost the 16-year veteran $13.25 million in salary. Dempster said Sunday he is stepping away for physical reasons and to spend more time with his family. But he left a slight opening to play in 2015. "I had an incredible run, a chance to play 16 years in the major leagues and be around a lot of great teammates, made a lot of good friendships, great friendships," Dempster said one day before the first formal spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. "Im totally comfortable with it. Im at peace with my decision." Dempster, whose contract expires after this season, finished his only year with the Red Sox with an 8-9 record and a 4.57 ERA and didnt get a start during their post-season run to a World Series title. "The past few years have been tougher and tougher," he said. "As you get older, going through some things, some issues I have with my neck that have made it harder and harder to throw a baseball and throw it like Im accustomed to throw it" contributed to his decision. And, he said, "Ive got three amazing children that I want to watch grow up and be around." The Red Sox still have a solid veteran rotation with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Jake Peavy and Felix Doubront, and several promising young starters. If theyre seeking a veteran to add depth, they could consider right-handed free agents Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez. "I like the staff that we have," manager John Farrell said. Several teammates watched as Dempster made his announcement, including Lester, Buchholz, Lackey, Peavy, first baseman Mike Napoli, second baseman Dustin Pedroia, catcher David Ross and reliever Andrew Miller. "Everybody wants to soak in their last moments of being around him," Miller said. "Hes a great guy. He left quite his mark and will be remembered fondly around here." The decision, Miller said, "was a shock to everybody." Dempster said he spoke with the club a few weeks ago about taking the season off. And what about 2015? "I dont know yet," he said. "If something changes then, obviously, something changes, but I dont see that changing." Dempster pitched with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Red Sox. He is 132--133 with a 4.dddddddddddd35 ERA and made the All-Star team in 2008 when he went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA with the Cubs. He was Chicagos closer from 2005-07, totalling 85 saves. He began the 2012 season with the Cubs then went to the Rangers at the trade deadline. Boston signed Dempster to a $26.5 million, two-year deal before last season. He will lose half that amount by sitting out this year. "The money was not that much of a difficult decision," he said, but "Im a little sad that I wont be around" his teammates as they try to defend their championship. "There arent too many people who could say that the time is right to walk away from a game that I love, thats treated me so well," Red Sox reliever Craig Breslow said, "and particularly when theres a pretty sizeable amount of money thats being left on the table." General manager Ben Cherington said Dempster told him of the decision about 10 days ago. "It came out of left field," Cherington said. Players didnt find out until Sunday. "At first I didnt really know what to say. It caught me off guard," Napoli said. "Thats how everyone wants to go out, on their own terms." Dempster was praised for his upbeat personality that helped the Red Sox recover from a collapse at the end of the 2012 season and transform the clubhouse into a positive place. Farrell also admired the way he accepted his demotion from the rotation for the post-season. "A consummate team player," Farrell said. While Dempster struggled at times on the field last year, he kept the clubhouse loose. "His comedic value will be sorely missed," Miller said. Dempster pitched just one inning in the World Series, a scoreless ninth in Bostons 8-1 win over St. Louis in Game 1. He ended it by striking out Matt Adams. "If this is the end, then this is the end, and what a great way to go out," Dempster said. Notes: The Red Sox signed right-hander Francisco Cordero to a minor-league contract with an invitation to the major-league camp. A closer for most of his career, he didnt pitch last year after struggling in 2012. In 14 seasons with six teams, he is 47-53 with a 3.38 ERA and 329 saves. ... Miller and the Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,903,125, avoiding arbitration. Miller had asked for $2.15 million and had been offered $1.55 million. He made $1,475,000 last year. Boston has no remaining players in arbitration. 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