The Weekly Links post highlights important or interesting writing from the hockey blogosphere and media. Enjoy!

• Sad news this morning, as NHL superstar Gordie Howe, A.K.A. “Mr. Hockey,” passed away. He was 88 years old. [TSN; Sportsnet]
• There was some controversy about players like P.K. Subban and Kris Letang being “snubbed” for Canada’s World Cup team. [Vice Sports] ponders the question: How successful would a Canada B Team?
• A couple of weeks ago Sauce Hockey got called out on social media for a transphobic tweet. As a response, Sauce Hockey created an initiative called “Breaking Out” in support of LGBT equality. The name of the initiative references both “coming out” and the notion of an on-ice break out – moving from defence to offence. [OutSports]
• Gabie Figueroa of the NWHL’s New York Riveters needs a full time job to support her hockey career. Luckily, her structural engineering degree from Princeton landed her job working on developing the world’s largest ice centre in the Bronx. [Sports Illustrated]
• Blake Bolden was 22 years old before she shared the ice with another player who looked like her. [Excelle Sports] explores the state of diversity in women’s hockey.
• To celebrate the LA Kings turning 50 years young, Lisa Dillman looks back at the team’s expansion draft. [LA Times]
• Don Cherry has signed a multi-year deal with Hockey Night in Canada with more “tweaks” to come [Huffington Post]
• The LNAH (Ligue nord-américaine de hockey) is one of the few leagues where hockey fights are still the norm. In the 2006-2007 season, each game averaged four fights and it continues to have eight times the fights that occur in the NHL. But does this brand of hockey still resonate with the fans? [Vice Sports] And here’s is come accompanying video [Drop the Gloves]
• Veteran NHL ref, Kerry Fraser, penned a piece for [The Player’s Tribune] about his time wearing the black and white stripes.
• Dani Rylan discusses the legal trials facing the NWHL. [Puck Daddy]
• Dan Carcillo opens up about his battle with depression post-retirement. [The Athletic]
• Have you heard of the African Ice Hockey Cup? Ya probably not. The first one will be taking place in late July this year. [National Teams of Hockey]
• It’s Pride Month and Andrew Ference [NHL.com] and Braden Holtby [NHL.com] will be representing their teams in each of their local Pride parades.
• Apparently Guy Lafleur is not a fan of those out of control playoff beards. [Vice Sports]
• Coach of Les Canadiennes of the CWHL, Lisa-Marie Breton-Lebreux has transitioned her winning ways on the ice to behind the bench. [Women Talk Sports]
• A verdict has been handed down in the case of Linden Vey’s father, Curtis Vey. [Huffington Post]