Blues Trade Janney for Sharks’ Norton

Craig Janney, who left the St. Louis Blues last month in a dispute over playing time, was traded Monday to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Jeff Norton, a fourth-round draft choice in 1997 and future considerations.

Janney, the Blues’ top playmaker and leading scorer in 1992-93, had two goals and five assists in eight games this season before leaving the team Feb. 18.

The center, 27, who was third on the Blues in scoring last season with 16 goals and 68 assists, is scheduled to earn $2 million next season, which was a stumbling block in trade discussions. But Mike Keenan, the new general manager and coach, said the team will pay part of his salary.

Prior to joining the Sharks in 1993, Norton spent six seasons with the New York Islanders and was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team.

Sailing

Less than 24 hours after the $3 million yacht oneAustralia broke in two and sank within two minutes into the stormy Pacific Ocean, skipper John Bertrand said he can still win the America’s Cup.

There was no hint of despair as the Aussies prepared their backup boat, also named oneAustralia, for today’s race against national rival Sydney 95.

The Aussies weren’t ready to sail Monday and skipped their race against France 3 after an international jury refused to reschedule it. OneAustralia already has qualified for the semifinals, while France is fighting for the last berth. France 3 simply circled the race course to collect five points.

Miscellany

UCLA (23-2) was a near-unanimous choice for No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Kansas (22-4) moved up one spot to No. 2 with one first-place vote. . . . Connecticut led the women’s poll for the eighth week in a row.

Baseball officials toured the St. Petersburg (Fla.) ThunderDome for three hours as expansion candidates prepared to make their final presentations to owners. The five groups from four cities will make 30-minute presentations to the expansion committee today. The committee is scheduled to deliberate immediately after that and then make its recommendation to the ruling executive council in the evening.

Pro Football

The Atlanta Falcons, in search of a deep threat at wide receiver to replace the departed Andre Rison, said they had agreed to terms with free agent J.J. Birden. Birden, 29, spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, making 183 catches for 2,819 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Denver Broncos signed defensive back Tim Hauck of the Green Bay Packers to a free-agent contract.

Former Miami Dolphin receiver Mark Duper bought cocaine from a man who turned informant as soon as he was arrested, prosecutors said at Duper’s drug trial in Miami.

Brad Gallagher, the informant, is to be called as the prosecution’s second witness after opening statements begin today.

Names in the News

Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams should be discharged from a hospital by Wednesday, school officials said. Williams was admitted with pneumonia on Feb. 29. . . . Utah Coach Rick Majerus was named Western Athletic Conference basketball coach of the year for the third time.