The rink at Kandahar airfield. Photo from The National Post.

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

• Great piece by [Second City Hockey] questioning the choice of honouring Bobby Hull at the Winter Classic as a team ambassador. This is an important piece of the picture to understand if you are going to read this Q&A with the Hulls. [ESPN]
• What to make of the poor attendance at this year’s World Junior tournament…[Yahoo Sports]
• Dave Lozo from [Vice Sports] takes a look at the current NHL playoff format and proposes a re-vamp, especially with Las Vegas entering the mix.
• The NHL provided a look at who the hockey world lost in 2016 with Gordie Howe naturally leading the names. [NHL]
• The St. Louis Blues will be hosting their first ever Pride Night this season. [St. Louis Post]
• Guess what TJ Oshie, Jonathan Toews, and Zach Parise have in common? If you guessed a love of the Accelerated Recovery Performance (ARP) machine, then you are correct! The ARP “releases an electrical impulse to the signal the brain to lengthen certain muscles, with the intent of increasingly flexibility and blood flow and breaking down scar tissue.” [The Washington Post]
• Re-live 2016 in women’s hockey with these top moments from [The Ice Garden].
• Hillary Knight talks about the 4 Nations Cup, growing the game, and the CWHL/NWHL league rivalry. [The Ice Garden]
• If you are a Leafs fan Mike Wilson may have your dream basement. A definite challenger for the Hockey Hall of Fame. [Vice Sports]
• Jarome Iginla and others reflect on their time playing hockey in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The rink at Kandahar airfield was dismantled on December 27, 2016.  [Global News] [National Post]
• Joe Altenau talks about his role with the New Jersey Devils and the organization’s support of his as an openly gay man. [Out Sports]
• On November 19th Craig Cunningham collapsed on the ice and part of his recovery has involved a partial leg amputation. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
• ICYMI, our very own Cheryl MacDonald highlighted some of the everyday sexism involved in reporting when a hockey player is involved. [Hockey in Society]