ZURICH - Seven NHL referees and six linesmen are among the officials named for the mens and womens hockey tournaments at the Sochi Olympics. cheap nfl jerseys . The IIHF on Monday announced the 28 officials who will be working the mens tournament and 15 who will be working the womens tournament. Having NHL referees and linesmen at the Games was part of the agreement between the league, IIHF and NHLPA that sealed players participation. The referees going are Tim Peel, Dave Jackson, Mike Leggo, Brad Meier, Kevin Pollock, Ian Walsh and Kelly Sutherland, while the linesmen are Lonnie Cameron, Derek Amel, Greg Devorski, Brad Kovachik, Andy McElman and Mark Wheler. Canadian linesmen Chris Carlson and Jesse Wilmot were also chosen to work the mens tournament. On the womens side, Canadian Melanie Bordeleau is one of six referees and Stephanie Gagnon is one of nine linesmen. "All of these candidates are considered to be top officials in their respective club leagues," IIHF officiating manager Konstantin Komissarov said in a statement. "We made our decisions on three main criteria: physical conditioning, performance in their respective national championships, and their ability to work in a team." "This last point is very important for the Olympics, with mixed crews we need to have officials with good communication and teamwork skills so that they can work effectively with each other." cheap jerseys china . Jordan signed his contract Wednesday, making him the third inside linebacker with special teams experience that the Redskins have added in free agency. nfl cheap jerseys . -- Champ Bailey finally gets a chance to live up to his name.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Defensive end Greg Hardy has signed his franchise tag tender with the Carolina Panthers, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the signing has not been made official. Hardy, who said in January hed have no issue if the team used the franchise tag to keep him, will make $13.1 million for one season if he doesnt sign a long-term extension. The Panthers have until July 15 to sign Hardy to a long-term deal. After that date they cant discuss a contract extension until after the season is over. When the Panthers used the franchise tag on Hardy Friday, general manager Dave Gettleman said in a press release it was done so to buy more time to potentially work out a long-term extension with the former Mississippi star. "The franchise meechanism gives us time to secure the services of a very good player while we continue to look at the future of Greg with the Carolina Panthers," Gettleman said.dddddddddddd "We have had great dialogue with both Greg and his agent. It was important to keep our defensive front together." The four-year NFL veteran had 15 sacks last season, tying a franchise record previously established by Kevin Greene in 1996, and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. Hardy has 26 sacks in his last two seasons. Hardy led the Panthers with 38 quarterback pressures last season and posted a career-high 67 tackles for the NFC South champions. The Panthers led the league in sacks last season with 60. Gettleman said Hardy was "a big reason we were able to lead the league in sacks last year and keeps our defensive line intact." cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '