Formerly known as “Weekly Links,” our round-up of important and interesting pieces from the hockey blogosphere and media will now appear twice a month.
- Hockey in Society contributor Cheryl MacDonald was featured in the Saint Mary’s University alumni magazine, for her research and postdoctoral position on LGBTQ inclusivity in hockey. [Maroon & White]
- An interesting look at the hockey non-fiction publishing industry, which now focuses more heavily on memoirs and sociocultural issues, rather than nostalgic books about the NHL’s history. [Quill and Quire]
- Canadian documentary filmmakers have produced Closing the Gap, a film about hockey in North Korea. The filmmakers, who practiced with the team, reveal little known aspects of the sport in North Korea. [New York Times]
- A detailed look at Alexander Ovechkin’s complicated relationship with the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin. [The Washington Post]
- TSN has produced a short documentary, called The Shift, about the NWHL’s Harrison Browne, who is North Amercia’s first openly transgendered hockey player. [TSN]
- The Russian government is threatening to bar the KHL from sending teams to the Olympic Games, as Russia’s dispute with the IOC continues.
- A number of writers have turned their attention to deserving people who, thus far, have not been recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame. First, as William Douglas reports, Damon Kwame Mason (who directed the film Soul on Ice: Past, Present & Future) is advocating for the induction of trailblazing Black Canadians Herb Carnegie and Willie O’Ree. [Color of Hockey]
- Meanwhile, Ryan Kennedy makes the case for Manon Rheaume to be inducted into the Hall in the builder category, for her influence on women’s hockey in North America. [The Hockey News]
- Finally, Greg Gallagher argues that Frank Zamboni, inventor of the eponymous ice resurfacing machine, should also be recognized by the Hall. [CBC News]
- Kevin Bieksa continues to remember and honour the legaacy of his friend Rick Rypien, who committed suicide six years ago. Bieksa has thrown his support behind Mind Check, a mental health initiative sponsored by the Vancouver Canucks. [Sportsnet]
- The new owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets is actively pursuing an NHL franchise. Could Houston be the NHL’s 32nd team? Or might it be used as leverage to extract funding from municipal governments in Calgary or Ottawa? [Sportsnet; Houston Press]
- With the e-sports business booming, Elliotte Friedman reports that the NHL is looking to get involved in this growing global phenomenon. [Sportsnet]
- Dallas Stars coach Ken Hitchcock has called for NHL teams to me more transparent about player injuries. [TSN]
- With marijuana legislation coming to Canada, and already on the books in some US states, will the NHL remove it from its list of banned substances? [Sportsnet]
- Finally, sad news from Taiwan, as the captain of the Chinese Taipei U18 national team, Chia-Yen “Daniel” Chung, has passed away. RIP Daniel. [IIHF]
Hockey in Society / Hockey dans la société 
