The Edmonton Oilers are more than a hockey team. In some ways, they symbolize devotion to a way of life − and one of Canada’s major industries.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with teammates Auston Matthews and John Tavares during first period NHL hockey action in Sunrise, Fla. on April 16, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The National Aboriginal Hockey Championship honours the resiliency of Indigenous Peoples while presenting youth with the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
Ottawa’s Mikyla Grant-Mentis skates the puck up ice as Toronto’s Rebecca Leslie looks on during second period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Jan. 23, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The PWHL, like the NHL, does not adhere to any rule for the mandatory usage of neck guards and leaves the decision up to the discretion of each player.
A mathematical approach known as ‘true score theory’ can assess the contribution of luck to a team’s overall success.
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Mark Robert Rank, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis
With low-scoring games and a preponderance of deflected shots, randomness is much more likely to color NHL teams’ records than those of squads in the other four major US pro sports leagues.
People walking on a pathway watch crews flood the ice on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on Feb. 17, 2024. The Skateway opened in late January but mild weather and freezing rain forced it to close after only four days.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
While many initially balk at violence prevention programs aimed at boys and men, these programs reduce the likelihood of abuse and improve the chances of bystanders intervening on behalf of victims.
In 2023, the House of Commons’ heritage committee passed a motion directing Hockey Canada to hand over a report from an investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving members of the 2018 world junior team.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Five world junior hockey players are facing sexual assault charges stemming from a 2018 incident. Research has shown that rape myths and social status can affect jurors’ perceptions in high-profile cases.
There are severe problems with the culture of masculinity in men’s sport — one that means men and boys must adapt rather than seek help.
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We are witnessing an overdue shift towards normalizing male athletes seeking help and gradually speaking more openly and vulnerably about mental health.
Five hockey players have been granted leaves of absence from their teams and are facing charges related to an alleged sexual assault.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston
Hockey Canada has a new board and CEO, but it won’t make a difference unless the systemic issues are addressed through our sport leadership and governance structures.
Exploring the interaction between the heart and the brain, known as the heart-brain axis, has shown how heart function changes due to a concussion.
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Concussion doesn’t just affect the brain, but the whole body. The interaction of the ‘heart-brain axis’ means that as the brain works to heal its injury, it puts extra stress on the heart.
Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks players and spectators stand for a moment of silence for Adam Johnson, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Oct. 31, 2023.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Hockey culture’s tendency to prefer attributes like mental toughness over emotional vulnerability can damage athletes when they’re confronted with traumatic events. This needs to change.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks gather at center ice before an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, on Oct. 30, 2023, to honour former Penguin player Adam Johnson who died while playing in an English hockey league game.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The development of a new league in 2024 offers the potential for a more unified, higher-profile, higher-paying and more sustainable structure for women’s hockey.
Nike has made it clear that its support of Hockey Canada is contingent on the organization behaving in a transparent and accountable manner.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The unique relationship between Nike and Hockey Canada makes the end of their decades-long sponsorship especially notable.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague celebrates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series on May 12 in Las Vegas.
(AP Photo/John Locher)
The recent measures announced by the sport minister are a step in the right direction. But Canada needs an independent commission to monitor and prevent abuse in sport.
Snoop Dogg shouted out Canada’s First Nations in his ongoing social media campaign to promote his bid to buy the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. Snoop posted a video to Instagram in a recording studio and wearing an Ottawa Senators jersey.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout: Instagram @snoopdogg
The Ottawa Senators’ bidding war has important lessons about speculation and financialization in pro sports.
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane is congratulated after scoring his third goal against the Seattle Kraken during the third period of an NHL hockey game on March 18, 2023, in Seattle.
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
The viral Kane vs. Karen meme invites the viewer to see the parallels between the actions of a white female hockey fan, surrounded by white onlookers, towards a Black player surrounded by referees.