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.
- The US Women’s National Team won its first Olympic Gold Medal since 1998 at PyeongChang 2018. This only adds to the players’ well-deserved off-ice legacy of fighting successfully against USA Hockey for improved pay, perks, promotional visibility, and training resources. [The Ringer; The Hockey News]
- Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, who scored the Gold Medal shootout winner against Canada, penned a piece about the journey from going on strike to becoming Olympic champions. [The Player’s Tribune]
- Meanwhile, Canadian Jocelyne Larocque received criticism – and ultimately apologized – for taking off her Silver Medal . Bruce Arthur came to her defense in an impassioned editorial. [The Star]
- Eric Adelson argues that the Gold Medal win by the men’s Olympic Athletes from Russia – though not technically a Russian victory – still serves Vladimir Putin’s political agenda. [Yahoo! Sports]
- NHL players are speaking out on US gun violence, after the recent deadly shooting in Parkland, FL. Parkland resident Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers delivered called for community action, while American Blake Wheeler criticized Donald Trump’s inaction on gun control.
- The Minnesota Wild is receiving criticism from LGBTQ fans who feel that its “Hockey is for Everyone” night in February did little, beyond its nominal support, to celebrate or include its LGBTQ fans. [Out Sports; City Pages]
- Washington Capitals’ forward Devante Smith-Pelley faced racist taunts from Chicago Blackhawks’ fans during a recent game. Current and former Black players have spoken up in solidarity with Smith-Pelley. [Color of Hockey; CBC Sports; The Score]
- An interesting “Ask Me Anything” Q&A session with a 21 year-old female referee, who has reffed CWHL, U Sports, and other high profile women’s competitions. [Reddit Hockey]
- The Hockey Foundation, a US charity, recently set the record for the highest altitude match in Ladakh, India. The game was played between a team made of amateur players from various countries and a team consisting of Indian national players. [Slate]
- A Kingston, ON neurosurgeon has scanned the brains of over 200 active or former professional or junior players who have voluntarily sought out his services and expertise. The results for the long-term detection of concussions and CTE are potentially fascinating. [TSN]
- NBC commentator Mike Milbury continued his string of controversial statements, following up praise of Slava Voynov’s career accomplishments by referring to Voynov’s domestic violence charge (which led to his departure from the NHL and return to Russia) as an “unfortunate incident.” [Chicago Tribune]
- Kavitha A. Davidson offered an interesting analysis of hockey gear, suggesting that hockey pads and helmets might help advance the women’s game: “Perhaps having female faces hidden behind masks can go a long way to getting fans to look past physical beauty toward the physicality that’s happening on the ice.” [ESPNW]
- Ottawa Senators fans are fed up with owner Eugene Melnyk and are protesting during games. Melnyk has reacted in draconian fashion, as his security staff is removing protest signs and threatening fans with ejection. [Puck Daddy]
- NHL expansion to Seattle appears one step closer, after fans responded en masse to a season ticket drive to gauge interest in the market. [TSN]
- Craig Cunningham, who suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed during an AHL game last season, is now working as an NHL scout and raising awareness about preventing cardiac arrest. [The Province]
- The 2019 NHL Entry Draft will be hosted by the Vancouver Canucks. [Pass It To Bulis; Sportsnet]
Hockey in Society / Hockey dans la société 
