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!
- The Stanley Cup Finals are underway between the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. Chris Johnston report that Los Angeles, not know as a hockey hotbed, appears to be embracing the Kings in a big way. [Sportsnet]
- Meanwhile, the Rangers have captured the New York sports spotlight – but, asks Evan Sporer, for how long? [SB Nation]
- The picture for this post is of Rangers fans watching Game 1 in Bryant Park in downtown Manhattan. You can check out the story here. [SB Nation]
- Mike Spry has a great piece on the media narratives that tend to overtake and be overemphasized in the Stanley Cup Finals. [TSN BarDown]
- Meanwhile, Arden Zwelling has an interesting behind-the-scenes look at media day during the Finals. [Sportsnet]
- Finally, for Stanley Cup related news, Greg Wyshynski reports that the first game of the Finals drew large ratings in the US for NBC. [Puck Daddy]
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Check out this fundraising campaign for a documentary entitled “Show Some Heart,” which will focus on barriers facing low-income children who wish to play hockey by documenting Philadelphia Flyer Wayne Simmonds’ charity work. [Indie Go Go]
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Calgary Flames President Brian Burke criticized the team’s arena, the Saddledome, and argued that the team is in need of a new stadium. [The Score]
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Speaking of Alberta arenas, this article gives a very in-depth analysis of the downtown revitalization efforts in Edmonton well before the Oilers’ new arena began construction. [Alberta Venture]
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Edmonton Oilers captain Andrew Ference will march in the Edmonton Pride Parade this summer. Said Ference: “Making sure that (LGBT) youth know they have allies at the pro level, or whether it’s a teammate who might be thinking about coming out, or whatever it is, we want to make sure that it’s an accepting environment for everyone.” [You Can Play; Edmonton Journal]
- An examination of the history of the post-playoff handshake that has become ubiquitous at all levels of hockey, with a focus on debunking the myth of the first-recorded incident. [puckstruck]
- Colorado Avalanche beat writer Adrian Dater looks at the increasing role hockey analytics has played in the game, and some of the important sources of data fans are relying on. [Denver Post]
- Reports suggest that the NHL will revive the World Cup of Hockey in September, 2016, with games to be played in Toronto and revenue to be split between the league and players. [Sportsnet]
- Ryan Lambert questions whether the World Cup may be part of an Olympics disengagement strategy for the NHL. [Puck Daddy]
- Rogers reveals its play-by-play team for 2014-15, when it takes over full NHL broadcast rights in Canada. The four commentators are Jim Hughson, Bob Cole, Dave Randorf, and Paul Romanuk. [Sportsnet]
- An interesting look at how the NHL deal is part of Rogers’ plan to develop a “PVR-proof” slate of programming. [Marketing Magazine]
- The New York Islanders may be close to having new ownership, as report suggest that Charles Wang has completed a sale of the franchise. [Islanders Insight]
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