Ben Scrivens of the Edmonton Oilers

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!

• Big news for women’s hockey as Sportsnet has agreed to a four-year television deal with the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, making the league available nationally. A look into what this means for the league and women’s hockey. [Toronto Observer]
• The NHL is considering expanding, and will likely add a new team in Las Vegas. The ownership group will include William Foley and the Maloof family, who gained notoriety as owners of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. [SB Nation]
• Larry Brooks reports that because of the weak Canadian dollar, there is a chance that the NHL salary cap will not go up next season. [New York Post]
• A piece on how Prime Minister Stephen Harper is using hockey to build better relations with the Chinese Government. [National Post]

• Hockey in Society contributor Alvin Ma discusses the tragic shootings in Ottawa and the complex relationship between hockey and Canadian identity. [Your Commonwealth]
• A look into the NHL players who served in the World War. [Globe and Mail]
• Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters, who is expected to be the top pick in the 2015 draft, injured his hand in a fight last week. Many have questioned why one of the top prospects is fighting, while others describe his actions as being part of the game. [The Hockey News]
• A look into the mixed messages junior players receive regarding fighting in hockey. An excellent commentary. [Copper and Blue]
• Ben Scrivens, goalie for the Edmonton Oilers, is using his star power to raise awareness of mental illness. [Confessions of a Female Hockey Fan]
• Dave Naylor gives an insightful look at the Stastny brothers’ defection from Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s. [TSN]
• Some insight into the premise of the documentary “Red Army”, which will begin a limited run this week. [New York Times]
• Interesting insight into global fandom, as, after 30 years of fandom, a Finnish fan of the New York Islanders plans a visit to the Nassau Coliseum before the team moves to Brooklyn. [Lighthouse Hockey]
• The Port Dover Sailors, a junior team in southern Ontario, is receiving criticism for using the image of a pin-up girl on its game-day program cover. [Buzzing the Net]
• Hockey Canada is implementing consistent goaltending training for minor players. This concept has been used by European countries for many years. [The Province]
• Representatives of Human Options provide insight on the issue of domestic violence and the various programs in place to support victims. An excellent piece. [Puck Daddy]