A Legend Retires, Coyotes Losing Their Arena, and More!
It’s the Monday edition of Links, News and Notes!
Enjoy another roundup of news about everyone except the Ottawa Senators!
- Some tragic news to start: a car crash in BC has killed three teenage hockey players. I’d just like to add my voice to many around the hockey world in saying that I’m keeping these families in my thoughts.
- As we draw closer to the start of the hockey season, teams and leagues are announcing their vaccination policies for people attending games. The OHL just published theirs, which says that all attendees will need to be fully vaccinated:/
The #OHL has announced additional health and safety protocols for the 2021-22 season. https://t.co/mAlY6dhX3P pic.twitter.com/wORHWw1PDQ
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) August 20, 2021
- The Sens have not officially announced their own policy but, according to Bruce Garrioch, it’s likely that they will also require all guests at the arena to be fully vaccinated. So if you’re hoping to attend a game this season, make sure you get the vaccine first! You should get the vaccine either way, though, for the record.
- The Women’s World Championship is now underway! I am once again going to direct readers to The Ice Garden, which continues to provide regular coverage of the tournament. The Victory Press also published a really good piece recently that both recapped the first two days of the tournament, and discussed a controversy that arose surrounding the broadcast.
- One of the greatest goaltenders of my generation has announced his retirement: Henrik Lundqvist is hanging up his skates after 15 years in the NHL. Although he did technically sign with the Capitals last year, he has only ever played for the Rangers. I know I couldn’t resist a jab at him in the picture for this piece, but honestly, I have nothing but respect for this man and wish him all the best in retirement. He’s had a hell of a career. I’ll always be able to say that I once watched him in person during the playoffs. Just... don’t ask how that game turned out for him./
— Henrik Lundqvist (@hlundqvist35) August 20, 2021
- Over at The Hockey News, former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque wrote an interesting piece on fighting in hockey. It’s always nice to see former players branching out and doing other things, and I feel like there aren’t many of them that get into writing. Anyways, it’s an interesting perspective on the topic and I enjoyed reading it.
- Tough luck for the Arizona Coyotes, who continue to be the one franchise that can make Sens fans feel a little bit better about our situation: the City of Glendale has informed the Coyotes that this next season will be their last in their current arena. This leaves the team’s future in Arizona in doubt. Naturally, some people in the hockey world are already suggesting the team move to Quebec.
- Finally, the St. Louis Blues will be retiring Chris Pronger’s number, proving that some people do, in fact, remember guys who were drafted second overall. I wonder how the first overall pick from that draft year is doing these days./
