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!
- Zuzana Botiková, who contributes to this blog, produced a radio piece on the Bronze medal winning Slovakia team at the World Junior Championship, which touches on the cultural prominence of hockey in both Slovakia and Canada (and even features an interview with yours truly!). [Radio Slovakia International]
- Jessica-Lyn Saunders writes about being a female hockey fan and the damaging label of “puck slut” or “puck bunny.” A great read. [Rabid Habs]
- A bit of an older post, but great stuff from Stefan Wolejszo on how to develop a critical approach to doing hockey analysis. [Integrating Hockey Analysis]
- Matt Larkin takes an in-depth look at the CWHL as it attempts to grow as a league, including the struggles faced by the unpaid players and a consideration of the WNBA’s relationship to the NBA. [The Hockey News]
- There was lots of reaction in the hockey blogosphere to the NHL Winter Classic, which took place on New Year’s Day at Nationals Park between the host Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks. Firstly, Doug from Puck Buddys contrasts the Washington Capitals’ culture to that of the US Capital…. [Puck Buddys]
- … while the writers of Puck Drunk Hockey look ways the NHL can improve this annual spectacle. [Puck Drunk Love]
- And finally, Anthony S. considers whether the demise of HBO’s Road to the Winter Classic TV program, which was replaced by a similar show on EPIX, contributed to the game’s low ratings. [Full Tilt Hockey Network]
- There was also a great deal of follow-up from the World Junior tournament, which concluded on Monday. The Canadian broadcast by TSN and RDS drew a combined 7.1 million viewers. [TSN]
- Rosemary Westwood writes that Russia, which was defeated in the final by Canada, had a great deal of political pressure on it from the Russian media, which saw that game as a chance to symbolically avenge the sanctions placed upon it by Western countries. [Metro]
- Zoë critiques the (often smugly asserted) popular narrative about Canada’s complete dominance in men’s hockey. An interesting read. [Hockey Without Propriety]
- And finally, Adam Proteau urges Canadians, who seemingly unite over support for their national hockey teams, to leverage this unity to build better relationships outside the context of hockey. [The Hockey News]
- Sad news, as Cap Geek, an indispensable website used by fans, bloggers, and journalists, has shut down to the health of its creator. [Puck Daddy; Puck Drunk Love]
- The Philadelphia Flyers traveled on Dec. 26, Boxing Day, which is in violation of the NHL and NHLPA’s CBA which mandates this as a holiday. [Sportsnet]
- Want some insight on the life and routine of referees and linesmen? Check out Kerry Fraser’s insightful overview of the topic. [TSN]
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