German Hockey League (DEL) Dusseldorf EG defenseman BERNHARD EBNER, 22, who scored 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) during the '12-13 season, has won the DEL Rookie of the Year honors (Dusseldorf EG). ... Former ManU player and TV analyst GARY NEVILLE "has bought one of Manchester's most prestigious historic buildings - the city's former stock exchange." The "defender-turned-TV pundit" bought the building in the city center for around £1.5M ($2.27M). He "is said to be considering turning the building's top floors into a private members' club." The purchase is the latest addition to Neville's already extensive property portfolio - "which include a restaurant and soon-to-be built hotel" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 3/19). ... Head of British Cycling DAVE BRAILSFORD was speaking at a conference in London on Monday when he said that "he would consider transferring his managerial skills to football." Brailsford: "Football is something I would look at." Brailsford "believes football can learn from cycling" and that England Manager ROY HODGSON's team need to tame their "inner chimp" if they are to progress in major tournaments (London TELEGRAPH, 3/19). ... Former England int'l MICHAEL OWEN "has announced he will retire at the end of the season." The striker "will play out the current campaign with Stoke City." Announcing the decision on his website, Owen said "it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career" (London INDEPENDENT, 3/19). ...World record-holder USAIN BOLT will run the 100 meters at Rome’s Golden Gala on June 6. It "will be the third consecutive year the six-time Olympic champion from Jamaica will run at the Stadio Olimpico." Rome is the opening European meet in the Diamond League (AP, 3/19). ... Rugby union Queensland Reds Coach EWEN MCKENZIE will leave the team at the end of this season "after overseeing the Australian team's transformation from Super Rugby strugglers to title contenders, saying he wants to coach a national squad." McKenzie, who moved to a director of coaching role with the Reds this year said he's "ready for the next level" after nine years with provincial teams (BLOOMBERG, 3/19).
