VANCOUVER -- As soon as the final gun sounded, Adam Bighill thought about next season. B.C.s 34-29 loss to the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Final did not sit well with the Lions middle linebacker. Now, as he goes about a rigorous off-season training program, he can look forward to starting 2013 with a new contract. The CFL all-star signed a new three-year deal, which includes two years plus an option, on Tuesday. The new pact scraps the option year that he would have entered under his old deal. "It feels good to be wanted," he said during a media availability at the teams training facility. "It feels good to be a big part of the program moving forward. Im excited to be in that position to make the future that much better." Bighill came to training camp No. 2 on the depth chart, but beat out James Yurichuk for the starting job. He then continued to excel upon previous starter Solomon Elimimians return from the NFL in mid-season. Bighill led the Lions with 104 tackles, ranking second in the league, and earned the clubs nomination as outstanding defensive player in addition to the CFL all-star nod. He equalled the team record for tackles in a game (13) on Sept. 29 in Saskatchewan, earned defensive player of the week honours on four occasions and was defensive player of the month for October. The 24-year-old Montesano, Wash., native also notched a team-high seven tackles for a loss, 16 special-teams tackles, nine sacks and four interceptions. The increased job security contradicts his tenuous status with the Lions upon arrival in 2011. The University of Central Washington alumnus had few professional options when B.C. signed him just before training camp after receiving a recommendation from backup quarterback Mike Reilly, who was a former college teammate. Coach Mike Benevides has admitted Bighill, an undersized defender listed at five-foot-10 and 230 pounds, was on the bubble in the 2011 pre-season. But he earned a spot with a strong showing in his second exhibition game. Both Benevides and general manager Wally Buono said Bighill took advantage of the opportunity given to him in 2012 as he shifted from outside linebacker to the middle. "Hes a pro, hes passionate about the game, hes got an outstanding work ethic, hes tremendously focused, and hes the kind of guy you really want on your football team," said Benevides. "For me, I want to make sure that our team is full of guys like that. When you talk about a defence that was extremely strong, Adam was a centrepiece of that." Buono said Bighill was disappointed about being No. 2 on the depth chart at camp, but he refused to sulk about the situation and went out and became No. 1. "And then when (Elimimian) came back, he could have easily been distracted," Buono said. "He could have been easily annoyed, but he handled that very well. He didnt allow that to be a deterrent to him, and he played very well. That shows you a lot of character." Meanwhile, veteran centre Angus Reid said he is leaning towards returning for a 13th season. Reid, who is recuperating from surgery on both hands and an elbow, said he has already spoken to Buono and a decision will be finalized in January. "We want Angus back," said Buono, adding Reid is expected to resume his starting role. Buono said Reid, a 36-year-old Richmond, B.C., native who has spent his entire career with his hometown team, means a lot to the Lions fan base and "the process of making our offensive line younger." The O-line faces a number of changes in the off-season, with Jesse Newman expected to retire at 30 following an injury-riddled career. Dean Valli (knee) and Jon Hameister-Ries (knee, leg, back) are also battling health issues that may deter the club from bringing them back, and all-star tackle Jovan Olafioye is expected to receive some NFL options. Reid can be an important mentor to Matt Norman, who is entering his second season after limiting his rookie campaign to pursue teaching studies at the University of Western Ontario. Buono also hopes to sign Kirby Fabien, a 2011 first-round choice who could not agree to contract terms and returned to the University of Calgary. The GM is also thinking of drafting another offensive lineman, and welcomes Reids willingness to develop young talent even though all players are naturally protective of their positions. "When veteran guys put their arm around the young guys, they can pass on way more than the coach can," said Buono, who guided Calgary and B.C. for 22 seasons before relinquishing his coaching duties in Dec. 2011. Reid, who had bone chips removed from his elbow and calcium build-up shaved off each hand, said he wants to take the Christmas break to ensure that he is physically and mentally ready for another season. "Id really like to play, and theyve already opened the door for me," said Reid after completing a workout at the training facility. "Well sit down in January and, hopefully, come to a happy conclusion." NOTES: Bighill plans to spend most of the off-season in Vancouver and work as a personal trainer for young athletes "to pay some bills" while also participating in the clubs community events. ... Elimimian is expected to pursue another NFL shot after failing to stick with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns while injured. He has played out his option with the Lions, and Bighills new deal raises questions about whether B.C. will try to re-sign him if he returns to the CFL. cheap nfl jerseys china . The third-ranked Spaniard withdrew from the U.S. Open on Wednesday. Tendinitis has kept him out of action since his stunning loss at Wimbledon in late June. jerseys from china . Richard Nieuwenhuizen collapsed and was rushed to the hospital hours after players from Amsterdam club Nieuw Sloten punched and kicked him. Nieuwenhuizens club, Buitenboys, said the 41-year-old linesman died Monday night but did not announce the exact cause of death. http://www.chinanfljerseyswholesal... . Diving Canada Plongeon reiterated Friday that the two-time Olympic silver medallist has not suffered from any concussion-like symptoms, but will remain under doctor observation. [url=http://www.chinanfljerseyswholesale.com/]nfl jerseys china . The Senators got better as the game went on, outshooting the Jets 37-28 while skating to a 4-1 win. Dustin Byfuglien opened the scoring for the Jets on the power play, taking a Tobias Enstrom pass and beating Craig Anderson with a blast from the line. wholesale jerseys from china ." But the Toronto Blue Jays are banking heavily on R.A. Dickeys dancing knuckleball leading them back to the baseball playoffs. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Most everywhere Lou Billittier turns these days, the Buffalo restaurateur is reminded of the NHL lockout, and its impact on his blue-collar, sports-mad town where Dominik Hasek became a star and the French Connection is still revered. Billittier misses the familiar faces of Sabres players having their traditional game-day lunch at his restaurant, Chefs. He recalled a recent conversation he had with his seafood supplier, whos struggling because he also provides salmon and chicken wings to the Sabres arena, the First Niagara Center. And then there are the arenas idled, part-time employees who stop in looking for work. With his own business down 15 per cent, Billittier can only turn them away because hes concerned whether theres enough work for his staff. "Its amazing the trickle-down effect," Billittier said, standing in his lobby, not far from Chefs "The French Connection" room, honouring the famed former Sabres line of Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and Rick Martin. "It bothers me, not only because were down, but it affects everything. Our community out-reach, we cant donate to the people we normally donate to. Its brutal." From south Florida to Vancouver, Montreal to Anaheim, a wide array of businesses located in the NHLs 30 markets have taken a significant hit because of the lockout, which is now in its fourth month and has wiped away 625 games. On Thursday, the league cancelled all games through Jan. 14. Joe Kasel, owner of the Eagle Street Grille in St. Paul, Minn., last month wrote a letter expressing his concerns to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "I had to look 32 of 48 employees in the eyes and inform them that I no longer can afford to keep them on staff," Kasel wrote. "The impact on our lives is immeasurable. One citys devastation may not seem like a powerful incentive to end the lockout; but I know this is happening in other cities around the nation." Chris Ray, manager of the Brewhouse Downtown in Nashville, said his establishment is losing an estimated $5,000 for every cancelled Predators home game. Thats already a $90,000 hit, given 18 Predators home games have been wiped out. Its no different at Wayne Gretzkys sports bar in Toronto, where much of the Great Ones memorabilia is on display. "Yes, its been very slow," said a bartender, who wouldnt give her name. "Im scared about January." The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto is feeling the pinch. Hall of Fame spokeswoman Kelly Masse said theyve made "adjustments" to staff because gate and retail revenues are down significantly. And sos Hockeytown, aka, Detroit. The downtown three-level Hockeytown Cafe, operated by Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, was nearly empty on Monday. "If theres not a show at the Fox, this is what its like in here," bartender Molly Brown said, referring to the Fox Theatre next door. "We havent fired anyone, but everyone has had their days and hours cut because the Red Wings arent playing. Were all suffering." The effect goes beyond bars, restaurants and tourism. In Chicago, Gunzos Hockey Headquarters, a four-store chain that sells hockey equipment annd jerseys, is losing business.dddddddddddd "Its been a huge impact. Huge, huge, huge. People dont see the games and its out of sight, out of mind," owner Keith Jackson said. "Its kind of a double-whammy for us. Were losing out on equipment sales and were losing out on the jerseys and licensed apparel sales." With the Christmas shopping season nearly over, Jackson worries those are sales hell never get back even if the NHL resumes playing soon. Mid-January will be a critical time, since Bettman has said the league doesnt want to play a season shorter than 48 games per team. With an entire season wiped out in 2004-05, outsiders are wondering whether the two sides -- rich owners and well-paid players -- are indifferent to the effects their labour disputes create. "People are disgusted," said Tom Woolsey, owner of Andrews On the Corner in Detroit. He estimates his business is down 75 per cent on nights the Red Wings are playing. "Its incomprehensible to me that after four or five prosperous years in the NHL, that they cant figure out how to split $3.2 billion (in revenue)," Woolsey said. Its mind-boggling to John Heidinger, chairman of the Service Employees International Local 200 in Buffalo, who represents about 225 ushers at First Niagara Center. "When youre making 12 bucks an hour working at an arena, and these guys are haggling over hundreds of millions of dollars, I think for a lot of people its a hard reality to understand," Heidinger said. "It really frustrates you." Sabres president Ted Black can understand the frustration. "We are disappointed the NHL and NHLPA have not been able to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement," Black said. "Our fans are extremely disappointed, and we know the lack of NHL hockey is having a negative impact on many local businesses. At the same time, we want to play hockey under the right circumstances that the NHL will negotiate on our behalf. ... The league has our full confidence." The impact of another lost season would be high. In Buffalo alone, the citys tourism bureau, Visit Buffalo Niagara, estimates local hotels that host visiting NHL teams will lose between $850,000 and $1 million if theres no season. City transit is affected. Douglas Hartmayer, spokesman for the Niagara Frontier Transportations Authority, says up to 1,700 riders use Metro Rail to attend each Sabres home game. Theres even a psychological cost, especially in a place like Buffalo, where the winters are already long, and the Sabres provide an entertaining outlet, particularly when the Buffalo Bills are struggling, as they are once again are this year. "Especially with Pegula, you had some hope," said Joe Allman, bartender at the Swannie House, referring to Sabres owner Terry Pegula, whos raised expectations since purchasing the team two years ago. "They probably are our best chance to win." With no hockey, and the Bills out of playoff contention for a 13th straight season, theres little for Buffalonians to fall back on. "You want to have something," Allman said. "And right now, we dont have anything." ' ' '