Monday LNN: AHL Signings, The Finals Continue, and Utah Jerseys
Plus, a couple of queer hockey stories for pride month!
- After locking up Crookshank last week, the Sens have signed another prospect in Cole Reinhardt. The 2020 draft pick signed a one year, two way contract extension.
- They’ve also extended their AHL coach, signing David Bell to a two-year extension. Although Troy Mann’s firing in 2023 came as a huge shock, Bell has done well in Belleville since taking over, so that isn’t much of a surprise.
- It looks like Jiri Smejkal might not be coming back, as the forward has signed a 5-year deal with a Czech team. Apparently he does have the option of returning to North America in the first year of the contract, but it definitely seems like he’s leaving for Europe.
- The Oilers avoided getting swept in game 4 of the Cup Final on Saturday, with a lopsided 8-1 win over the Panthers. In the process, Connor McDavid broke Gretzky’s record for the most assists in a single playoff run, with 32.
- Speaking of the Oilers, Sportsnet published a touching piece about former Senator Connor Brown and his success in game 4.
- The Utah Hockey Club has unveiled their logo and jerseys for their inaugural season, which have serious PWHL vibes, with just the name of the city diagonally across the jersey. I guess it shows how sudden the decision to move the Coyotes was. It’ll be very strange to have just one team without a name or logo.
- In honour of pride month, PWHL Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer penned a touching piece for Hockey Canada about her own coming out journey and the challenges of dating a teammate.
- Also on theme for pride month is ESPN’s 30 for 30 podcast series on Hobey Baker, which goes through his life as a renowned college athlete, world war 1 pilot and queer man. Be warned: you may need tissues for the third part.