The Weekly Links post highlights important or interesting writing from the hockey blogosphere and media. Enjoy!
- A great profile of the Ladakh Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation, which is creating opportunities for women and girls in India to participate in hockey. [Women’s Hockey Life]
- The KHL is offically expanding to China, as the Beijing club Kunlun Red Star will start play in the 2016-17 season. [KHL]
- The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its 2016 inductees, featuring four men (and no women): Eric Lindros, Sergei Makarov, Pat Quinn, and Rogie Vachon. Ken Campbell critiques the “old boys club” of the Hall’s selection committee. [The Hockey News]
- Meanwhile, Katie Baker reflects on Lindros’ eventful and controversial career, and his hockey excellence that is finally – after a lengthy wait – being recognized by the Hall. [The Ringer]
- Trying to justify its $5.2 billion investment in exclusive NHL broadcast rights, Rogers Sportsnet is majorly overhauling its Hockey Night in Canada personnel. Among the staff let go are host George Stroumboulopoulos and announcer Glenn Healy. Ron Maclean, who was moved to a smaller role, returns to hosting duties. [Globe and Mail]
- One positive to emerge from Rogers’ cuts is that David Amber was also promoted to be a Hockey Night in Canada host for the second half of the Saturday night broadcast. William Douglas celebrates what this move represents for increasing racial diversity in hockey media. [Color of Hockey]
- Now that NHL expansion to Las Vegas is official, fans in Quebec are left wondering if the NHL will ever return to their city. More significantly, taxpayers – who have already ponied up $330 million toward building a new arena – have to subsidize the arena as it loses money. [Field of Schemes]
- The 2016 NHL Draft saw 211 young men get selected by NHL teams. Canada, although still producing a large percentage of NHL draftees, no longer dominates in the same way it used to. For Mike Brophy, this is a positive reflection on the globalization of hockey. [The Hockey News]
- Meanwhile Finland, a small country of less than 6 million people, is producing numerous elite male players. This post takes a detailed look at structural changes made in Finnish youth hockey that helped propel this strong development system. [Eyes On the Prize]
- Finally, William Douglas profiles five players from minority ethic or racial backgrounds who were drafted this year: Auston Matthews, Cliff Pu, Givani Smith, J.D. Greenway, and Jonathan Ang. [Color of Hockey]
- Two high profile hockey players got in trouble with the law this week. Evander Kane of the Buffalo Sabres is being investigated by police for harassment of a woman at a nightclub. [Puck Daddy]
- And retired NHL star Ray Bourque was caught driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol limit far exceeding the legal limit. [Puck Daddy]
- As more European youth and young men move to North America to pursue a pro career, the number of non-English speakers in elite hockey is increasing. As a result, players are relying on interpreters and English tutors as they try to adapt to life – and hockey – in North America. [Washington Post]
- An interesting read about the history and ongoing impact of the plus-minus (+/-) statistic in the NHL. [Sportsnet]
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan may name a city bridge after the late Gordie Howe. [CBC News]
Hockey in Society / Hockey dans la société 
