Talking About Hockey Talks: The NHL and Mental Health

Every February since 2013, the seven Canadian NHL teams host Hockey Talks, a NHLPA led program aimed at “destigmatizing” mental illness. The effort was initiated by former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa after teammate Rick Rypien’s suicide in 2011. In addition to media spots, public service announcements, and the hashtag #hockeytalks, the team’s websites link…

Weekly Links: Mike Milbury in hot water; Scottie Upshall on Fort McMurray wildfires; South Korean women’s team focusing on 2018 Olympics; and more

NBC’s Mike Milbury landed in hot water when he suggested that Tampa Bay Lightning players should attempt to injure opponents when they make physical contact. Victoria Silverwood discussed the incident right here on this blog. [Hockey in Society] With raging wildfires decimating the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Scottie Upshall of the St. Louis Blues…

The Concussion Scapegoat

By Victoria Silverwood It comes to something when we are no longer surprised about the periodic news stories telling us that yet another current or retired hockey player has been found dead.  Since the summer of 2011 when Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak all lost their lives to the more recent losses of…

Weekly Links: Todd Ewen’s passing; Enhanced security coming to NHL games; Raising the bar for sports journalists; and more

The Weekly Links post highlights important or interesting writing from the hockey blogosphere and media. (And boy was there lots going on this week!) Enjoy! The NHL has mandated that all teams enhance security at games with walk-through metal detectors.  This change is supposedly brought on by recent shootings, such as the Parliament Hill shooting…