MODANO RETIRES

MIKE MODANO, one of the greatest American hockey players, announced yesterday that he is retiring after 21 seasons in the NHL.

Modano, 41, from Livonia, Mich., spent 20 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars and Dallas Stars, then one with the Detroit Red Wings. He was the top overall pick in 1988.

He won a Stanley Cup championship with Dallas in 1999 and scored 561 goals and 1,374 points, both records for U.S.-born players.

"It's just time," he said in a phone interview from Dallas. "I didn't get any calls after July 1 and I figured that was it."

In other NHL news:

* Former Flyers forward R.J. Umberger signed a 5-year contract extension with Columbus that takes effect next season and will take him through the 2016-17 season.

Golfer Scott Verplank is recovering from surgery to rebuild his left wrist and won't play for about 5 months.

* The road cycling world championships will be held in Richmond, Va., in 2015, returning to the United States for the first time in nearly 30 years.

* U.S. gymnast Mackenzie Caquatto sprained her ankle at the final selection camp for the world championships team. It's uncertain whether the injury will take her out of the running for the world team.

* Canadian speedskater Kristina Groves, 34, retired after a career in which she won four medals at the Olympics and 18 at the world championships.

The following baseball players have made college commitments: Episcopal Academy righthander Burk FitzPatrick (Maine); Roman shorstop William Dougherty and La Salle third baseman Mike Piscopo (Northeastern); Bonner righthander-first baseman-designated hitter Ronnie Scull (West Chester).