Sports briefs: Former Browns executive Tom Heckert joins Broncos

NFL • Former Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert is the Denver Broncos' new director of pro personnel. Heckert replaces Keith Kidd, whose contract was not renewed for next season. Heckert will work closely with Executive Vice President John Elway and Matt Russell, the Broncos' director of player personnel.

Heckert is entering his 23rd season in the NFL. He started as a scout for the Miami Dolphins in 1991. Before his three-year stint with the Browns beginning in 2010, Heckert spent nine seasons with Philadelphia, including his final four years (2006-09) as the Eagles' general manager. Three of those seasons (2006-08) were spent working with Russell, who was a college scout for the Eagles during that time.

Russia beats U.S. at world tournament

hockey • Russia got two late goals to beat the United States 5-3 in a hard-fought game, while Canada scored four unanswered goals en route to a 7-1 rout of Norway on Tuesday in Helsinki at the ice hockey world championships. The Americans gave the defending champions their toughest test yet at this year's tournament, leading 3-2 after two goals from captain Paul Stastny and a slapshot from the blue line by Matt Hunwick.

Italy's Battaglin sprints to stage win

cycling • Enrico Battaglin of Italy sprinted to victory on rainy, cobbled streets in the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia while compatriot Luca Paolini kept the overall lead. Battaglin beat fellow Italians Fabio Felline and Giovanni Visconti for his first stage victory in one of cycling's main tours. Overall favorite Bradley Wiggins lost 17 seconds after he was caught behind a crash near the finish in Serra San Bruno. He dropped to sixth in the standings, 34 seconds behind Paolini.

The Associated Press