The Weekly Links post highlights important or interesting writing from the hockey blogosphere and media.
- The Pittsburgh police are investigating after a woman reported that she was sexually assaulted in a washroom at PPG Paints Arena during the most recent Penguins playoff game. [The Score]
- The Edmonton Oilers have decided that the needs of their male fans trump those of its female fans, and have converted Rogers Place women’s washrooms into men’s rooms during the playoffs – meaning women now face extremely long lineups, while men have a faster experience. [Puck Daddy]
- After Sidney Crosby left the ice with a concussion, the debate around head shots and concussions in hockey has heated up once more (sadly it takes a star player being injured to spark this conversation…). While Crosby is looking to return quickly to the ice, medical professionals are urging him to take a cautious approach. [CBC News; Puck Daddy]
- Paul Taylor of Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre looks at the research on recovery time and return to play following a concussion. [Globe and Mail]
- Jaret Anderson-Dolan, a junior player for the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, has been at the forefront of promoting LGBTQ in and beyond hockey. Anderson-Dolan was raised by two mothers, a fact that has drawn taunts from opponents and even concerns from junior teams about his “non-traditional” upbringing. [The Spokesman-Review]
- NBC’s Mike Milbury has received a great deal of blowback for calling the Nashville Predators’ PK Subban “a clown” for dancing during warmup. Jen Neale has a fantastic take down of NBC’s conservative outlook on hockey lack of awareness of how fans see the sport and its players. [Puck Daddy]
- James Mirtle weighs in on ESPN’s massive cuts to hockey journalism and implications for sports media. An important read. [The Athletic]
- Erik Erlendsson, a former hockey reporter with the now defunct Tampa Tribune, reflects on the sudden death of the newspaper one year ago. Erlendsson found out the news a few hours before he was to report on a Tampa Bay Lighting playoff game. A timely read, given the recent cuts at ESPN. [Lightning Insider]
- A number of high profile KHL players are signing contracts with NHL teams, leading to the question: why the sudden exodus? Journalist Slava Malmud has a theory:
- A feature on Megan Bozek, the Buffalo Beauts star who played a big role in the USNWT’s boycott that led to equality of pay and treatment of the women’s team. [Chicago Tribune]
- Girls’ hockey enrollment in Washington state continues to rise, thanks to the efforts of organization such as the Seattle Girls Hockey Club. [Women’s Hockey Life]
- A Canadian judge has permitted the class action lawsuit by former CHL players to proceed. The players are seeking back pay for the thousands of unpaid hours they spent working at the sport. [CBC Sports]
Hockey in Society / Hockey dans la société 
