Kansas City, Missouri

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!

• Katie Flynn of The Score looks into the changes to the Sportsnet hockey broadcast team, and the lack of female analysts. [Pension Plan Puppets]

• The Philadelphia Flyers who recently got rid of their ice girls following a scathing report by Mother Jones, have now re-introduced the group. [Deadspin]

• The economic sanctions placed on Russia by the US, Canada and Europe following their annexation of Crimea may have an impact on future player contracts. The NHLPA is advising player agents that contracts signed with KHL clubs may violate the current sanctions, possibly resulting in financial or criminal punishments. [TSN]

• Discussions on introducing a champions league that would feature NHL clubs facing European teams are underway. [TSN]

• A preseason game between the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blue was recently held in Kansas City and was well attended. Here’s a look into what the potential division formats, and the related travel distances, would be like if Kansas City, or any of the other rumored expansion locations, joined the NHL. [TomFulery]

• Some insight into why relocation is a much better option than expansion for NHL growth. [Dubsism]

• The ECHL is officially merging with the CHL. The impact that it will have on NHL cluibs remains to be seen. But because the rules pertaining to veteran players differs between the two leagues, the merger is forcing some players out of the league completely. [Artful Puck]

• Looking in to the possibility of a play-in game, similar to MLB baseball, where the 8^th and 9^th seeded hockey club would play to earn a spot in the playoffs. [Puck Daddy]

• The NHL is testing out the idea of putting GoPro cameras on referee helmets. The footage demonstrates the challenge of tracking infractions and could potentially be used to educate referees in the future. [Fansided]

• An interview with Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy who provides some insight into the current and future state of hockey blogging. [Upper Body Inquiry]

• And finally, a review of the book Boy on Ice: The Life and Death of Derek Boogaard. [Hockey Book Reviews]