Opinion: Hockey antics giving the sport a black eye
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If the NHL is in any way a mirror reflecting current society, we've become really, really ugly.
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I grew up an avid hockey fan. Hockey Night in Canada was both a constant and a highlight of each week.
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Whether accurate or not, athletes like Dave Keon and George Armstrong were held up as models of sportsmanship, character and professionalism. I raise a modest question mark as to the accuracy of that picture as the absence of social media kept athletes of that era safe from the microscope.
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The perception of the role sports played in developing character, resilience and sportsmanship did not wane as I moved into adulthood.
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In years working the streets, I often commented how rare it was to see a young person wearing a team jacket arrested for anything save the odd drunken misstep. Sports, which in Canada mostly meant hockey, were considered a prime avenue of developing fine young men. Then, it was rare for women to be in hockey, although today, women are certainly included in the equation.
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But, after decades of celebrating hockey, I can hardly stand what has come of my treasured sport, especially at the highest levels.
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The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs were about as disgusting a feature as has been held since the days of the Roman Colosseum.
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Let me first state that I am an avid Edmonton Oilers fan, so to demonstrate this is not sour grapes, my first illustration will feature an Oiler.
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Watching Evan Bouchard purposely, intentionally slash at the injured ankle of Dallas Stars player Roope Hintz was repulsive. Hearing 'respected' hockey commentators declare that is how the game is played today and the reason injuries are never disclosed only proves the point.
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Our sport has grown uglier and uglier. I understand the initial slash that injured his ankle. It occurs multiple times a game and isn't intended to injure. I also understand some vicious plays that occur spontaneously in the heat of the moment when adrenaline soars.
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But to know someone has an injury and then purposely attack that injury has absolutely nothing to do with sports, sportsmanship or professionalism. It has everything to do with ugly, cowardly self-service.
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The Province
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2025 NHL Draft: Canucks get a goalie in round two
B.C. firefighter says he was denied entry to U.S.: 'Good enough to fight their wars but not good enough to cross their borders' Is Vancouver Giants' Cameron Schmidt the most polarizing player in the NHL Draft? Canucks' new draft Braeden Cootes wants to be Brayden Point 2025 NHL Draft: Canucks get a goalie in round two The Canucks have five picks on Saturday. Get the latest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox Sign Up Photo by Photo byArticle content After picking Braeden Cootes on Friday night in the first round of the NHL draft, the Vancouver Canucks will continue to re-stock their prospects cupboard on Saturday. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers Article content This year's draft is an unusual affair, with teams making their picks remotely rather than in years past where they all assembled on a common draft 'floor,' usually an arena, although last year at The Sphere in Las Vegas and in its original 1960s and '70s form at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 2025 NHL Draft: Canucks get a goalie in round two Back to video Article content The hub for everything is at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and league officials will run the remainder of the draft from there. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin and his chief scout Todd Harvey will call their picks in from the team's offices at Rogers Arena. The Canucks will pick 47th, 65th (originally San Jose's pick), 143rd, 175th and 207th. In 2020 and 2021, when the draft was run in a similar format because of COVID-19, day two of the draft took seven hours or so. When all teams are in the same room, general the day has taken half as long Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content A few round-by-round notes, with picks added as the draft progresses: 47th overall (round two): Alexei Medvedev, goalie, London (OHL) For the first time since 2021, the Canucks picked in the second round — and they went with a goalie. They've not picked a goalie since 2022 and in general the Canucks have never gone more than three years without adding a goalie prospect to the cupboard. 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Article content 'He's refined technically already,' Woodley said of what he's heard. There's a strong technical base there already, though some see his skill as still somewhat raw. . 'His really evolved technical game allows him to play easily 'with his eyes,'' Woodley explained. 'His technique is already really evolved, so now it's about learning to read the game. Sometimes the technical game doesn't allow them to keep up but that's not the case here. This is not a project.' Medvedev told reporters after his selection that like all Russian goalies, he's done a ton of skating work in his life. 'We do an hour of skating without pucks,' he said. 'That's the root of Russian goalie success,' Woodley explained. Medvedev recognizes he's already got a strong, structured base to how he plays. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 'I feel like there's some minor details to clean up in my game, but just the biggest area for me is puck-handling and reading plays,' he said. He's also grown to six-foot-three in the last couple years, giving him a length he's clearly come quickly to recognize how to use to his advantage. 'I feel like I just became more efficient. I worked a lot on just being calm and not doing extra movements,' he said. Second round picks are players that are very close to being ready as NHLers. Medvedev just finished his first season in major junior, posting a 91.2 save percentage in 34 games with London. It's hard to believe a team in the Canucks' position has had so few second-round picks over the past decade, but here we are. They hadn't picked in the second round since 2021, when Jim Benning rolled the dice on Danila Klimovich, passing up on the likes of Logan Stankoven. 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CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Canadiens draft forward Alexander Zharovsky in second round
The Montreal Canadiens were active in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, trading their two first-round picks and moving up in the second round. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) The Montreal Canadiens did not make a selection in the first round of the NHL Draft, but quickly made a trade to improve their position in the second round on Saturday and select a player they clearly had their eye on. The Habs set their sights on forward Alexander Zharovsky with the 34th overall pick. To do so, they traded the 41st and 49th picks to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the 34th and 189th picks. Zharovsky, who played for Ufa Tolpar in the Russian junior league, was ranked fifth among international skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. A 6-foot-1, 163-pound left-handed right winger, Zharovsky scored 24 goals and 26 assists in 45 games last winter. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau noted his exceptional progress during the last campaign. The Canadiens also made a trade with the Boston Bruins to move up to 69th overall in the third round. They sacrificed their 79th and 108th picks and selected right-handed centre Hayden Paupanekis of the Kelowna Rockets. The 6-foot-5, 202-pound powerhouse scored 22 goals and 21 assists in 71 games last winter with the Spokane Chiefs and Rockets. He was ranked 38th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. It notes that he is not afraid to get physically involved, but adds that he can be considered a 'project,' meaning he will need time to develop. At 81st overall, the Canadiens selected right-handed defenceman Bryce Pickford of the Medicine Hat Tigers. Then, at 82nd overall, the Habs opted for Belarusian goaltender Arseni Radkov of Tyumenski Legion in the Russian junior league. Pickford is 19 years old and had 20 goals and 27 assists in 48 games with the Tigers last winter. He added 13 goals and 11 assists in 18 playoff games, helping the Tigers win the Western Hockey League championship. For his part, Radkov, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall, is committed to attending the University of Massachusetts in two years. In the fourth round, the Canadiens selected American centre John Mooney with the 113th pick. A small player at 5 feet 8 inches, he is known for his dynamism and instinct on offence. He has committed to attending the University of Minnesota in two years. He is the cousin of Utah Mammoth star Logan Cooley. The Canadiens also had a fifth-round pick (145), two sixth-round picks (177 and 189) and a seventh-round pick (209). On Friday, the Habs did not have a first-round pick. They traded the 16th and 17th picks in the afternoon to the New York Islanders, along with forward Emil Heineman, in exchange for defenceman Noah Dobson. It was the fifth time in franchise history that the Canadiens did not make a first-round pick, and the first time since 2008. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 28, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Simon Wang makes history as highest-drafted Chinese player in NHL
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