In Praise of All-Star John Scott Zeke | December 3, 2015 John Scott is currently on track to play in the NHL’s All-Star game. He is leading the fan voting to become a team Captain. Nothing can do a better job…
Department of Player Safety Overrun with Inconsistency Matt Brauckmann | October 23, 2015 It was just a few weeks back in the midst of the pre-season that San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres laid a seemingly senseless and dirty hit on Ducks forward…
Connor McDavid Gets A Pass on Dirty Hit Rick Rischall | October 18, 2015 On October 13th, Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid put a dirty hit on Dallas Star’s defenseman Johnny Oduya. The question is: why are so few people talking about it? Could it be that was…
Raffi Torres, Dustin Brown and Hypocrisy on Player Safety Zeke | October 9, 2015 The Raffi Torres suspension has been big news in the NHL. THW had two pieces out prior to the NHL’s lengthy suspension of Torres. Dustin Nelson first wrote about the…
Call For Consistency: The Department of Player Safety’s Bad Rap Jonathan Gardner | April 29, 2015 As May approaches, so does the annual cry of jilted NHL fans. It seems no matter who makes the playoffs each year, one thing remains constant: The Department of Player…
A Closer Look at Kronwall’s Hit Anthony Pucik | April 28, 2015 The Detroit Red Wings lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 Monday night, forcing a Game 7 in their first round playoff matchup. While that is a big enough story…
In Praise of John Scott Zeke | March 13, 2015 Wait, What? Yes, you read the headline correctly. John Scott. And Praise. In the same sentence. An NHL roster needs to be looked holistically. It is not simply the best…
Don’t Blame Players for Fighting, Blame the Game Nissa Khan | February 27, 2015 As you might have read by now, on February 3rd, Montreal Canadiens forward Brandon Prust contributed an article to The Players’ Tribune explaining his role as an NHL enforcer. The…
What Was NHL Thinking in Hiring Chris Pronger? Tom Mitsos | October 10, 2014 On Thursday, long-time NHL bad boy Chris Pronger was hired by the NHL to work for the Department of Player Safety. Yep, you read that right. It's official: Chris Pronger…
NHL’S Culture of Safety vs. the Culture of Hockey Toni McIntyre | September 26, 2014 The NHL’s Culture of Safety is at odds with the Culture of Hockey Kids as young as six are joining traveling hockey teams. Tiny skates on their feet, tiny sticks…
Has the NHL Dropped the Ball on Player Safety? Kevin Mizera | May 28, 2014 When the NHL named Brendan Shanahan to replace Colin Campbell as the league’s chief disciplinarian on June 1, 2011, it marked a major departure from business as usual. After spending…
Dear Brendan Shanahan…… Justin Glock | April 20, 2012 Dear Brendan Shanahan, You have an extremely difficult job. I would not want to be in your shoes. As head of the NHL Department of Player Safety, you have the…