Welcome to Hockey in Society’s Weekly Links post. This feature highlights articles or blog entries that are related to Hockey in Society’s areas of interest and that may be of interest to the site’s readers. Please check out some of the great writing that is happening in the hockey media and blogosphere!
- Sad news this week, as OHL player Terry Trafford took his own life after being sent home by the management of the Saginaw Spirit. Neate Sager has an excellent post calling for the league to develop a more comprehensive and effective strategy for dealing with its players mental health struggles. [Buzzing the Net]
- In light of Rich Peverley’s scary collapse on the Dallas Stars bench during a game, Bruce Arthur weighs in on the expectations of toughness for hockey players. A good read. [National Post]
- Melissa Geschwind has an excellent post titled ” The institutional sexism of NHL Ice Girls.” I suggest you give it a read. [Puck Daddy]
- In more positive news for gender equity, Shannon Szabados – the goaltender for Canada’s gold medal women’s hockey team in Sochi – is now playing professionally for the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Adam Proteau and Karen Crouse have excellent profiles of Szabados. [The Hockey News; New York Times]
- Hockey in Society contributor E. Martin Nolan writes about being a Detroit Red Wings fan in the absence of retired star Nicklas Lidstrom. [The Barnstormer]
- An excellent critique of the funding of the Red Wings’ new arena, which will bring yet another new sport stadium built largely with public funds to the bankrupt city. [Deadspin]
- Rogers, which is taking over NHL broadcasting rights as of next year, announced its new Hockey Night in Canada crew, which retains some of the current figures (including Don Cherry and Ron Maclean) but brings in George Stroumboulopoulos as host. Harrison Mooney, while recognizing the talent of these broadcasters, laments this “dream team”‘s lack of diversity. [Puck Daddy]
- Meanwhile, Sean Fitz-Gerald explores whether legendary broadcaster Bob Cole remain on air under the new Rogers deal. [National Post]
- And David Christopher reports that Rogers is trying to restrict online viewing options for Hockey Night in Canada, forcing viewers to subscribe to its cable package instead of streaming for free online. [Huffington Post]
- The United States defeated Russia 1-0 to capture the 2014 Paralympic Gold Medal in Sledge Hockey. [CBC Sports]
- The International Olympic Committee has decided that Nicklas Backstrom, who was controversially barred from playing in the Gold Medal Olympics game due to a positive test for allergy medication, will be awarded his Silver Medal as a member of Team Sweden. [Puck Daddy]
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