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.
WEEKLY RECAP: Friday, August 11, 2023
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Sources: Brian Burke To Serve Leadership Role For Professional Women’s Hockey Union
According to sources, Brian Burke will serve as a leader for the professional women’s hockey league’s players’ union.
Ian Kennedy, The Hockey News, Aug. 11, 2023
Brian Burke will take a leadership role for the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players’ Association (PWHLPA) sources tell The Hockey News. He’ll be a guiding voice for the union for multiple seasons sources confirm.
The union, which ratified a collective bargaining agreement with new ownership in July, was previously guided by Hockey Hall of Famer Jayna Hefford, along with the PWHPA board which included Canadian and American national team veterans such as Hilary Knight, Brianne Jenner, Sarah Nurse, and Kendall Coyne-Schofield.
Hockey camp provides outlet, education and inspiration for youth with Type I diabetes
Craig Handel, (Fort Myers) The News-Press, Aug. 11, 2023
As he skated around Hertz Arena’s recreation rink earlier this week during a hockey camp, Estero’s Hogan Cooper competed and joked with other teens and took in tips from coaches like the Florida Everblades’ Brad Ralph.
This was a bit different than the average camp, though.
Throughout the workouts, certified instructors check the players’ blood sugar. Players got their carbohydrates counted and glucose monitored. If their blood sugar was too low, they were given a snack or juice. If it was too high, they either got an insulin injection or an insulin pump. The camp also had an on-call endocrinologist.
The four-day Type 1 Timer Camp, which drew 60 participants and wrapped up Friday, focused on young players with Type I diabetes.
Nashville Predators to Host USA Hockey’s Blind Hockey Development Camp
Development Camp Set to Run August 10-13 at Ford Ice Center Antioch
Nashville Predators, Aug. 10, 2023
The Nashville Predators, in connection with the Tennessee School for the Blind, will host USA Hockey’s Blind Hockey Development Camp this weekend from Aug. 10-13 at Ford Ice Center Antioch.
“Team USA is very excited to start the 2023-24 hockey season in Nashville with our training and development camp and having the opportunity to partner with the Predators,” USA Hockey Head Coach and General Manager Michael Svac said. “Without the support of the Tennessee School for the Blind and the Predators organization, this would not be possible. We are very appreciative of the city of Nashville for welcoming our team of athletes with a vision impairment to your community and we want to thank you for helping our players achieve their dream and the opportunity to represent our Country…The United States of America.”
Officials looking to expand Indigenous sports tourism industry in Ontario
Sam Laskaris, Windspeaker.com, Aug. 10, 2023
“Our belief is to include and bring together partnerships that will be beneficial for the next seven generations. We value the work of both Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Golf Ontario. We sit in a circle together, cheering on the best golfers from Turtle Island and giving thanks to the Creator for our path moving forward.” — Steve Tooshkenig
As the president and CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO), Kevin Eshkawkogan remains committed to leading the mission of the organization.
And during the past couple of years that includes growing the Indigenous sports tourism sector within the province.
ITO officials kicked off its involvement with Indigenous sports events by lending support to a pair of sporting activities.
Coachella Valley Pride Hockey: Local group on a mission to bring the sport to the LGBTQ+ community
The Palm Springs Post, Aug. 10, 2023
In Palm Springs, pride isn’t just a one-time celebration in November — it’s a year-round feeling. And one new organization is proving that by bringing the sport of hockey to the local LGBTQ+ community.
Paul O’Kane founded Coachella Valley Pride Hockey, an adult league for LGBTQ+ players and allies, last year. He met his husband 25 years ago at a gay hockey tournament in Toronto and has been organizing LGBTQ+ hockey tournaments and teams ever since.
O’Kane and his husband both previously played at the Cathedral City Ice Castle, but when it closed in 2020, his husband was forced to drive all the way to Riverside to play.
When the couple heard that the Acrisure Arena was coming to town and that there would be a public skating rink, O’Kane sprang into action, quickly putting together the hockey group and LGBTQ+ tournament.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Bans Fighting, Will Result in Automatic Ejection
Julia Stumbaugh, Bleacher Report, Aug. 10, 2023
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has banned fighting during the 2023-24 season.
QMJHL players who fight during a game will be automatically ejected and face a potential suspension, according to new safety regulations published Thursday by the league.
Any instigator of a fight will face an automatic one-game suspension, while any participant declared “the aggressor” will be suspended for at least two games.
Jason Robertson hosting hockey clinic for military kids on Fort Liberty
Robertson will be joined by his brother, Nick, at Cleland Ice Arena in North Carolina
Matt Cudzinowski, The Hockey News, Aug. 10, 2023
Beginning on Friday, forward Jason Robertson and his brother, Nick, will be hosting a two-day hockey clinic for military kids aged 7-18 at Cleland Ice Arena on Fort Liberty. Nick is a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
According to a press release issued by the United Heroes League (UHL) on August 2, Jason “is incredibly active in the military community through his JR’s Heroes initiative” in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Hockey school attracts players from across Western Canada
Canadian Press, Aug. 10, 2023
The community of Hudson Bay will be hosting its 29th Annual Hockey School with Edmonton Oilers Assistant Coach Glen Gulutzan, who grew up in the community.
Gulutzan has coached several NHL teams including Dallas, Vancouver and Calgary.
The hockey school, which is running Aug. 14 to 18, has become very popular and attracts participants from across Western Canada.
Yahoo Finance, August 10, 2023
The world’s No. 1 hockey brand has taken innovation and performance to new heights with its latest BAUER Re-Akt helmet. Designed and assembled at the BAUER Innovation Center in Blainville, Quebec, the new MyBauer Re-Akt was available to select Bauer Hockey NHL athletes last season and heading into the 2023-24 season it is now available for everyone through selected BAUER GAMEFIT authorized dealers where hockey players can experience the full custom fitting process.
“Whether we’re talking about elite athletes, pond hockey players or kids in minor hockey, no two heads are alike,” said Mathieu Desjardins, Senior Brand Manager of Protective Equipment at Bauer Hockey. “Hockey helmets have advanced and evolved over the last 50 years, and today 3D printing is accelerating this trend faster than ever. It’s enabling Bauer to bring customized helmets to hockey players everywhere who want the maximum fit, best protection and ultimate performance for their game.”
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe, Aug. 9, 2023
The stars seemed to align for several struggling entities in 2020 when the Archdiocese of Boston approved an unusual agreement: a pair of 10-year contracts for a fledgling youth hockey business to educate more than 70 teenaged prospects from around the world at the Cambridge Matignon School and house them at an unoccupied Catholic convent in Medford.
Thanks to the arrangement, the Boston Hockey Academy gained a foothold in the booming $19 billion youth sports industry, the convent generated income, and Matignon raked in nearly $2 million in additional tuition revenue — until calamity struck.
In May, Matignon blindsided the school community by announcing it would close in just a few weeks at the end of the academic year, becoming at least the 13th Catholic high school in Greater Boston to shutter since the turn of the century. The hockey academy was among those devastated.
But no sooner did Matignon collapse than five Catholic high schools in Greater Boston reached out to seek partnerships with the hockey academy and its bloc of teen skaters.
Hilary Knight powers women’s hockey on and off the ice
Parker O’Brien, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Aug. 9, 2023
LAKE PLACID — Growing up, Hilary Knight dreamed of making it to the Olympics. Her own grandmother thought differently, telling Knight’s mother that “girls don’t play hockey.”
“My mom kind of went back at her and was like, ‘If she wants to play hockey, she’s going to play hockey,’” Knight said.
For Knight, it wasn’t the first time that she had been told she didn’t belong in the sport. During her youth hockey days, she had been cut from multiple all-boys teams.
“I was a girl and they wanted to max out with boys on their roster,” she said. “At that time there was no future for girls in the game, so why would they waste a roster spot, so to speak? Obviously, I felt otherwise and I’ve always felt otherwise.”
Knight, now 34, never gave up the dream and has since become one of the most decorated U.S. Olympic hockey players of any gender. She’s won four Olympic medals — one gold and three silvers.
Canadian Blind Hockey Summer Development Camp Showcase Games coming to Mississauga
LinkedIn Post. Canadian Blind Hockey. August 9, 2023
On Saturday August 19, cool down at the 2023 Canadian Blind Hockey Summer Development Camp Showcase Games. Join us at the Iceland Arena, 705 Matheson Blvd E, #Mississauga. Games are FREE and open to the public.
Saturday August 19:
2:45pm-4:15pm: Development Showcase Game
4:15pm-6:15pm: High Performance Showcase Game
The 2023 Canadian Blind Hockey Summer Development camp is taking place in Mississauga Ontario and will feature over 50 Blind Hockey players who will focus on developing their skills to continue playing this great sport!
NHL partners with Sense Arena virtual reality program
NHL Sense Arena to launch in fall 2023, features logos, uniforms of all 32 franchises
NHL.com, Aug. 8, 2023
Virtual hockey training just got a cool new twist.
On Tuesday the NHL announced a multi-year agreement with the virtual reality ice hockey training program, Sense Arena, to launch its first interactive NHL VR platform, NHL Sense Area, according to a press release.
The new virtual reality training platform, available in the fall of 2023, will feature logos and uniforms of all 32 NHL franchises.
Who are the toughest women’s hockey players of all-time?
As The Hockey News looks at enforcers week, we look at some of the toughest women’s hockey players ever to play the game.
Ian Kennedy, The Hockey News, Aug. 8, 2023
Fighting is primarily a topic in men’s hockey. That’s not to say fighting has always been absent from the women’s game. Body checking is another portion of women’s hockey history only removed from the women’s game following the 1990 World Championships.
Women’s hockey has always been tough, it’s always featured physical play, and it’s always featured athletes who use their size, strength, and aggression to control the game.
Prudential Center, Devils Partner with CleanChoice Energy
In celebration of the partnership and National Tree Day, CleanChoice Energy will provide funding for the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 2,000 trees throughout New Jersey
NewJerseyDevils.com, Aug. 8, 2023
The New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center announced today a multi-year partnership with CleanChoice Energy, a climate solutions company that empowers people and businesses to access clean and renewable energy.
In celebration of the partnership and National Tree Day, the New Jersey Devils, Prudential Center and CleanChoice Energy will make a monetary donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to coordinate the distribution of 2,000 trees that will be planted in communities throughout New Jersey. This statewide tree distribution program will help mitigate tree loss in New Jersey.
Throughout the remainder of 2023 and in 2024, representatives from CleanChoice Energy will be available on Prudential Center’s main concourse outside Section 8 during select New Jersey Devils home games and various Prudential Center events for fans to learn more and sign up for 100% clean, renewable energy.
LSHL A Sign Of Better Things To Come In Women’s Hockey
The Living Sisu Hockey League is showing glimpses of the combined and collaborative future of the PWHPA and PHF, together.
Ian Kennedy, The Hockey News, Aug. 7, 2023
When you look at the Living Sisu Hockey League playing each week in Montreal, it’s a positive sign of what’s to come in women’s hockey.
On the ice together are top players from the PWHPA, PHF, NCAA, and USports. The group of friends and training partners plays every week at Hockey Etcetera, and this summer, it’s also a key location where PWHPA and PHF players are together, working toward a common goal.
Stevens, former NHL forward, continuing to give back in sobriety
Started Power Forward foundation, which helps fight addiction through sober living scholarships, therapy dogs
Amalie Benjamin, NHL.com, Aug. 7, 2023
Kevin Stevens knows he was lucky.
When the former NHL forward, who won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992, battled through a drug addiction that lasted for years and years, he still had family and friends who stood by him. He still had hope.
He knows not everyone does.
That’s part of why Stevens, along with his sister, Kelli Wilson, started Power Forward, a foundation which helps fight addiction through education, empowerment and innovation and is working to remove the stigma of addiction.
It was a way to help others through what he had gone through. What he’s still going through.
VIDEO: Ron MacLean open to ‘cameo role’ next season
Back for another year at Hockey Night in Canada, iconic host told our podcast that it’s ‘very important’ to have a succession plan; ‘I don’t mind playing on the fourth line’
Village Media, Aug. 7, 2023
Contrary to the rumour mill that was swirling earlier this summer, Ron MacLean will indeed be back on Hockey Night in Canada when the puck drops on a new NHL season in October.
Will his on-air role be a bit different? That remains to be seen.
Dominance of OWHL Evident In Hockey Canada’s U-18 Roster
The OWHL U-22 Elite loop is producing more top talents in Canada than any other league. If you look at Canada’s U-18 roster, that fact becomes evident.
Ian Kennedy, The Hockey News, Aug. 7, 2023
When you look at the invitees for this month’s U-18 Summer Series against the United States, the dominance of one Canadian league, the OWHL’s U-22 Elite, becomes evident.
Of the 26 forwards invited to skate with Canada’s U-18 program this summer, 18 are set to play in Ontario’s OWHL this season. Five of 14 defenders and two of six goaltenders will also play in the OWHL’s U-22 Elite program.
Caps Host 11th Annual Baltimore Street Hockey Tournament
This year’s tournament marked the largest amount of participants since the tournament’s inception
WashingtonCaps.com, Aug. 7, 2023
The Washington Capitals and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks teamed up Friday to host the eleventh Baltimore Street Hockey Tournament at Madison Square Recreation Center.
More than 120 children from community centers across the city of Baltimore participated across 12 teams, with Lakeland Rec Center winning the championship game. Lakeland Recreation Center beat Cecil Kirk Recreation Center 2-1 in a hotly contested matchup. Lakeland, in its first appearance in the history of the tournament went undefeated on its way to capturing the championship.
This year’s tournament marks the largest amount of participants since the tournament’s inception.
Hockey romance novels are in the news. Here’s why they’re so popular.
The subgenre captured mainstream attention after a brouhaha involving NHL player Alex Wennberg
By Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, Aug. 6, 2023
Before last week, many people may not have known about the existence — or exceptional popularity — of hockey romance novels. But the subgenre captured mainstream attention when an NHL player and his wife called on readers to stop sexually harassing him.
Allow me to explain: A sizable portion of BookTok, a book lovers’ community on TikTok, is devoted to romance. Creators share spicy reading recommendations throughout the genre, including hockey romances.
Hockey camp welcomes NHL all-star, Stanley Cup winner
Your Alaska Link, Aug. 4, 2023
It’s a chance to learn the game of ice hockey from a nine-time NHL all-star.
Jeremy Roenick is also a two-time Olympian — playing for Team USA in 1998 and 2002.
He’ll be in Anchorage from August 29th through the 31st to help train young Ben Boeke Ice Rink players.
Five-time Stanley Cup winner Grant Fuhr will also be part of that Pro Hockey Alaska training camp later this month.
Youth Hockey Players Enjoy Annual Summer Hockey Program at Nashville’s Ford Ice Center
Michael Carpenter, Wilson County Source, August 3, 2023
Over 150 participants from all over the country traveled to Middle Tennessee this July to experience the 24th Annual Predators Hockey School. The Preds Hockey School, held at Ford Ice Center Antioch from July 10-14 and Ford Ice Bellevue from July 24-28, helped young athletes ages 6 to 14 enhance their game both on and off the ice.
Lucy O’Brien is a Predators Hockey School veteran. She travels from Louisville, Kentucky every summer for the camp, and also throughout the year for games, other camps and clinics. Lucy has been skating for four years. Because hockey is not as popular in her hometown, Preds Hockey School is a great venue for O’Brien to get on the ice.
Montour of Panthers gets hero’s welcome from Six Nations community
Defenseman honored by Ohsweken residents after run to Stanley Cup Final
Mike Zeisberger, NHL.com, August 3, 2023
OHSWEKEN, Ontario — Brandon Montour and the Florida Panthers may have come three victories shy of winning the Stanley Cup, but he’ll always be a hero here.
On Thursday, residents of the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve showed him just how much of one he is.
The 29-year-old defenseman is of Mohawk descent and grew up in Ohsweken, a village inside Six Nations, which has the highest population of any First Nation in Canada. His father, Cam Montour, is Indigenous Canadian.
2024 LNHL Tournament, Cultural Festival and Gala Host City Announcement
Little Native Hockey League. Facebook Post. July 31, 2023
The Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) is proud to announce that Markham has been selected as the host city for the LNHL 2024 Hockey Tournament, Cultural Festival, and Gala Celebration; following a competitive process with cities across Ontario
The annual hockey tournament and cultural festival for First Nation youth players occurs over March break each year and welcomes approximately 3,500 youth male and female players from Ontario…