The CI Aggregator is a compilation of recent stories regarding the hockey world, The Carnegie Initiative, our Board members, other industry influencers, similar organizations doing work to change the culture of the game, related issues, and anything aligned with our important mission to make hockey more inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all.
A new edition is posted each Friday.
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WEEKLY RECAP: Friday, March 29, 2024
Scroll. Read. Click on headline for full story
Alec Gearty, New York Post, March 29, 2024
A former Canadian junior hockey player who survived a deadly bus crash that killed 16 of his teammates and staff members qualified for the 2024 Paralympics.
But instead of taking to the ice, Jacob Wasserman, 24, will compete as a rower in the upcoming games.
Wasserman earned a country quota spot for Team Canada in the PR1 men’s single sculls event in Paris, Rowing Canada announced Thursday.
Athens, welcome to the ice your … Rock Lobsters?
Professional hockey team to launch in Classic City later this year
Fletcher Page, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 29, 2024
ATHENS — The Atlanta Flames got snuffed out in 1980. The Thrashers thrashed their way out of Georgia in 2011. But make no mistake: Professional hockey is not dead in the Peach State.
Thursday, Athens became yet another Georgia city that aims to make hockey stick.
New Bolts player aims to make hockey more inclusive
After experiencing racism as a youth hockey player, Lightning forward Anthony Duclair aims to make hockey more inclusive for the next generation.
David Schiele, 10 Tampa Bay, March 28, 2024
Anthony Duclair has greatly impacted the Lightning since being traded to Tampa Bay on March 7. He recorded, at least, one point in his first seven games with the club, setting a record for the longest point streak to start a tenure with the Bolts.
“I’m just trying to bring my experience…try to amplify this forward group [and] try to fit in as much as I can,” he said after the team’s practice on Wednesday morning.
As well as Duclair fits in with his new team, he naturally stands out whenever he’s on the ice. He is the only Black player on the current Lightning roster. It’s something he grew accustomed to while playing youth hockey. Unfortunately, he encountered prejudiced behavior during that time, being referred to as racial slurs.
“It’s one of those things where you’re usually the only Black player on the team or Black player on both teams, and it’s a little tough to digest,” he said. “You have to grow up really fast and mature really quick, and that’s just the way of life.”
Finding her stride: Sarah Fillier’s path to projected top pick in 2024 PWHL draft
Last year’s world championship MVP is poised to star for Canada again this April
Karissa Donkin, CBC Sports, March 28, 2024
Sarah Fillier carried the puck from one end of the ice to the other, stickhandling through two Quinnipiac University defenders before scoring bar-down.
It was early December 2018 and a then-18-year-old Fillier had recently returned to Princeton University from the Four Nations Cup, where she scored a goal in her first call-up to the Canadian senior national women’s team.
She spent that time rooming with her idol, Marie-Philip Poulin. She watched how Poulin carried herself on and off the ice, and how she’s always striving to get better no matter what she’s accomplished.
Multiple regents call for feasibility study on Michigan women’s hockey
Lindsay Budin, The Michigan Daily, March 28, 2024
During their Thursday meeting, several members of the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents brought up a pertinent issue: varsity status for the Michigan women’s ice hockey team.
Although the Wolverines have been at Michigan for 28 years, the program has remained planted in club status. As the team gained buzz and several people urged the University and the Michigan athletic department to begin taking some action, the regents began listening.
Regent Denise Illitch (D) brought the matter up in the March meeting, pointing out the void for women’s hockey in the state of Michigan. Although the state of Michigan has seven universities with Division I men’s hockey teams, it has zero varsity women’s teams. Illitch called for the University of Michigan to take action, and begin working toward that elusive varsity status.
Ciara Farmer, Daily Mail, March 28, 2024
Rod Stewart, 79, posed proudly with three of his eight children on Wednesday.
The iconic musician took to Instagram to share the sweet snap, following his ice hockey player son Liam’s win at England’s National Ice Hockey League Cup, with his team Milton Keynes Lightning – for which he has played since 2019.
The Minority League podcast, Season 3 / Episode 10, March 27, 2024
Malik Garvin and JJ Velez tell us about their organization Ice Hockey in Harlem. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1987, and runs hockey and educational programs for lower income youth in New York City. Malik and JJ both participated in the program as kids, and now they are keeping the legacy going for the next generation.
Pride Game Highlights Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ Hockey
Michelle Crechiolo, Penguins Team Reporter, March 27, 2024
Before the puck dropped on the Penguins’ fourth annual Pride Game, the Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Hockey (Pittsburgh Tigers) organization hosted a meetup for anyone who wanted to attend and connect ahead of the night’s festivities to celebrate the community.
“This is great. This has been the culmination of many years working with the Penguins,” said Mike Marsico, who launched the Tigers in 2012 with his husband, Adam Knoerzer.
“For them to continue to show their support in a world where there’s so much controversy, other teams aren’t doing this – but for the Penguins to double down, this means a lot to us. It means a lot to all the future people out there who want to play and who don’t feel safe anywhere else.”
Opinion: Daryl Watts Belongs On Team Canada, Period
Daryl Watts is lighting up the PWHL as one of the league’s most exciting players. Canada continuing to overlook one of the best players in the world will only hurt them moving forward.
Ian Kennedy, The Hockey News, March 27, 2024
There is no world where Daryl Watts isn’t one of the most skills players in the world, and certainly in Canada. It makes her complete absence not only from Team Canada itself, but even from their camps, baffling.
Last year at the World Championships, I got a little insight into the divide. I was in a conversation with members of the PWHL’s current leadership group, former PWHPA members, and Hockey Canada members. In that conversation, Watts came up, and it was clear, for whatever reason, these women did not like Daryl Watts. They mocked her $150,000 contract with the Toronto Six, with one long time team Canada member clearly stating she did not deserve it. Another was even more insulting.
It was a strange conversation about the former Patty Kazmaier winner and four-time All-American, who finished her NCAA career with an astounding 297 points in 172 games. When I spoke to Watts’ former Wisconsin teammates, they boasted about her as a player and person. When I spoke to her Toronto Six coaches, it was all praise. And when I spoke to her current PWHL staff, it was good and more good. In my personal interactions with Watts, she’s approached every interview with grace and a willingness to help, something that isn’t true for all professional athletes.
Chris Simon’s death puts spotlight on hockey and CTE: ‘The NHL is going the Big Tobacco route’
Ian Mendes, The Athletic, March 26, 2024
Dan Carcillo was on a spring break holiday with his family in the Bahamas last week when he learned of Chris Simon’s death.
Carcillo — who has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of the NHL and NHLPA for their handling of concussions and head trauma in the sport — felt compelled to release a four-minute video on social media to acknowledge Simon’s passing.
“The ancient Egyptians used to say that if you say a man’s name, he is alive,” Carcillo said to open the video. He then proceeded to say the names of a handful of former NHL players who have died prematurely. Included on that list were Simon, Rick Rypien, Derek Boogaard, Wade Belak, John Kordic and Steve Montador.
In the caption of his video, Carcillo wrote: “This is a stark reminder that a contributing factor to this tragedy was playing in a league that continues to deny a link between repetitive head trauma and neurodegenerative disease. If you are a current player, protect yourself because the NHL and their medical professionals will not do it for you.”
Report: Chicago Blackhawks attempted to dismiss 2nd “John Doe” lawsuit!
HockeyFeed, March 26, 2024
As if the damage that the Chicago Blackhawks organization inflicted upon Kyle Beach by refusing to intervene after he was sexually assaulted by former video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, they sunk even lower in 2021 by attempting to dismiss the lawsuit that he filed against them.
And now, they’re facing more legal challenges, as a second John Doe emerged and filed a lawsuit against the Blackhawks in November of 2023; the Blackhawks have been denied their recent motion to have the negligence lawsuit dismissed. This player, like Kyle Beach, alleges that he was sexually assaulted by Aldrich during the 2009-10 regular season and postseason and that the Blackhawks failed to protect him.
Color of Hockey: Bellemare rode character, work ethic approaching 700th NHL game
39-year-old undrafted Kraken forward’s improbable journey began in native France, signing with Flyers in 2014
William Douglas, NHL.com, March 25, 2024
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare thought his NHL career would be brief, if at all, when he signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on June 11, 2014.
What are the chances of an undrafted 29-year-old from Le Blanc-Mesnil, France, with no previous North American professional experience making it in the top league in the world, he thought.
“To be honest, I didn’t even think I was going to reach a game when I got into the League,” Bellemare said. “I remember thinking my career is more behind me than in front of me.”
That’s why the Seattle Kraken forward, now 39, spoke with a hint of amazement and sense of pride approaching his 700th NHL game.
“I’m proud of it, but it’s a little bit surreal because I’m a French hockey player,” Bellemare said. “I’m not a French-Canadian hockey player, I’m a French hockey player. I’ve been told my whole life that this is something that is not doable, just to come into this league. To be able to be here, I don’t think I’ll realize it until I actually look back at the end my career, I think.”
Star Studded List Named NCAA Women’s Hockey All-Americans
The NCAA announced their First Team and Second Team All-American honorees this weekend as part of the Frozen Four festivities.
Ian Kennedy, The Hockey News, March 24, 2024
The NCAA announced their First Team and Second Team All-Americans at the Frozen Four festivities in Durham, New Hampshire.
Only two members of the 13 names announced as All-Americans, Sarah Fillier and Gwyneth Philips did not participate in the NCAA national championship tournament, and nine of the 13 made it to the Frozen Four.
First Team All-Americans including Northeastern netminder Gwyneth Philips, defenders Caroline Harvey of Wisconsin and Nicole Gosling of Clarkson. Up front being named First Team All-Americans were Patty Kazmaier finalists Kirsten Simms and Casey O’Brien of Wisconsin, and Patty Kazmaier Award winner Izzy Daniel of Cornell.
Rochester hockey community celebrates inclusivity at Friendship Festival
Stephanie Ballard-Foster, WXXI News, March 24, 2024
The Rochester Friendship Festival, held at the Tim Hortons IcePlex in Brighton over the weekend, brought together hundreds of athletes with developmental disabilities for a hockey event dedicated to inclusivity.
The festival, featuring more than 325 athletes from 16 teams across the United States and Canada, highlighted members of the American Special Hockey Association in a showcase of skill, determination and camaraderie.
Organized by the Rochester Ice Cats, a local team and Association member, the event underscored the importance of sports as a platform for teaching valuable life skills.
Rep. Pressley named Honorary Captain of PWHL Boston Women’s Hockey Team
The Somerville Times, March 24, 2024
Last week, at a watch party event to recognize the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) was named honorary captain of the women’s hockey team PWHL Boston. The recognition took place at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC and the gesture was meant to recognize the strong relationship between Canada and Massachusetts.
Rep. Pressley delivered brief remarks at the event and was joined by Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, PWHL Senior VP of Business Operations Amy Scheer, Consul General of Canada in Boston Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in New York Tom Clark, and Ontario’s Representative in Washington, DC David Paterson.
In Congress, Rep. Pressley was the lead sponsor of legislation to honor hockey legend Willie O’Ree with the Congressional Gold Medal, which passed Congress in January 2022. Rep. Pressley has also been a champion for the Equal Rights Amendment, equity in sports, equal pay for women athletes, and more.
Ohio State defeats Wisconsin to win NCAA women’s hockey national championship
Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, March 24, 2024
The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 1-0 to win the program’s second NCAA championship on Sunday.
The game — a rematch of the 2023 championship, which ended in a 1-0 Wisconsin victory — was scoreless through the first two periods. Joy Dunne, the national rookie of the year, scored the first and only goal of a tense, evenly-matched championship game featuring the top two teams in the national rankings.
“That was one helluva game,” said Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall. “Whoever scored in the third I thought was going to win the game, just because it was such a good defensive side of the game from both teams. … It was just a feeling of if we can get to that one and then bear down defensively, we could win this thing.”
How college athletes could fight back against anti-DEI laws
Public universities that depend heavily on revenue from student-athletes should think twice before risking a boycott over anti-diversity legislation.
Nicholas Mitchell, MSNBC, March 23, 2024
Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama, said in a February Facebook post that if Alabama’s proposed anti-DEI bill became law, “I have no problem organizing Black parents and athletes to attend other institutions outside of the state where diversity and inclusion are prioritized.” Alabama Gov. Kate Ivey signed SB 129, which bans Alabama colleges from having diversity, equity and inclusion programs or departments and instruction on “divisive concepts,” into law March 20. It remains to be seen whether Woodfin will follow through on his threat. Still, the statement raises an interesting possibility. What if colleges in states that are not passing anti-DEI legislation began recruiting promising student-athletes in DEI-hostile states with a “Go to college where you are wanted” pitch?
Many public universities, especially those in the South, rely on the revenue generated by student-athletes to help keep the lights on, and the specter of divestment and a boycott of student-athletes, regardless of race, is one that an administration and its donors would be unlikely to ignore. Many behind the anti-DEI movement would likely scoff at the idea that such a boycott would have a tangible effect, but that is because they ignore the documented impact that college sports have on the economy in many states, including Alabama, and they do not understand how DEI in higher education works.
Ice time crunch in Montreal could spell end of inclusive hockey program for kids
Douglas Gelevan, CBC.ca, March 29, 2024
When six-year-old Samuel hits the ice, his eyes light up with unrestrained enthusiasm as he skates as hard as he can, doing his best to replicate the moves of his heroes that play for the Montreal Canadiens.
“I love it! It’s like a 10 out of 10 for me. I really like it,” Samuel said in between breaths after giving it his all on the ice for 50 minutes with Avalanche Kidz Hockey.
Avalanche Kidz Hockey caters to children on the autism spectrum or kids who have additional needs that can’t quite be met in more traditional hockey programs …
… But even though interest in the program is growing, it may have to shut down completely. That’s because finding space for kids to play hockey in Montreal can be extremely difficult.
Cornell’s Izzy Daniel wins 2024 Patty Kazmaier Award: Why she won
Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, March 23, 2024
Izzy Daniel won the 2024 Patty Kazmaier Award on Saturday — given to the top women’s college hockey player in the nation — becoming the first player from Cornell to claim the honor.
Daniel — who was named the ECAC and Ivy League Player of the Year — beat out Wisconsin Badgers forwards Casey O’Brien and Kirsten Simms.
“I think I just blacked out, to be honest,” Daniel said after the ceremony, hosted at Whittemore Center Arena. “This is a culmination of all the hard work that I put in throughout my career and to finally hear myself recognized, it is a shock, but I’m kind of like, you know what, I did it, and I should be believing in myself because I can do it.”
Madison Bizal was diagnosed with cancer. It didn’t keep her from playing hockey — and going pro
Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, March 21, 2024
Madison Bizal had a request.
She was huddled with her teammates in the dressing room at the Ohio State University ice rink 24 hours after getting some of the worst news of her life.
Bizal had been diagnosed with cancer.
She wanted her teammates to know what was going on, and why she might occasionally miss practice. But, above all else, she wanted the focus to remain on hockey. So, for a few moments, the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s hockey team cried and hugged — and then got right back to business.