Note on the cover image: just imagine a Bad Bunny song playing in the background for additional context.
Hello friends!
How have y’all been? Is anything interesting happening in hockey right now? Jokes, jokes. I’m so sorry to everyone whose fave got traded. Also, condolences to whatever is happening to Canucks fans.
Today’s Other Thoughts is a solo endeavor by me because Perrye is on the grind with her thesis, so she’s taking this week off. Here’s what we’ve been talking about.
At Least He Didn’t Bite Him
On Tuesday, the Department of Player Safety announced a three-game suspension for “unsportsmanlike conduct” for K’andre Miller after he allegedly spat on L.A. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty during Saturday’s game.
The suspension fell in line with the precedent set by Garnet Hathaway 4 seasons ago. The big difference, however, was that Hathaway did it intentionally and even went on camera to say he apologized but that he’d been reacting to a cheap shot from Erik Gudbranson. They were slightly different circumstances.
What bothered me the most was how some people reacted online. In the immediate aftermath, there was an outcry, with people questioning his character, integrity, etc. Aside from the fact that it brought out the racist dog whistles, the self-righteous attitude many people took on made no sense. It was very telling that even though Miller does not have a history of this behavior, he felt the need to issue a statement.
If the public is now expecting a statement from a player to determine if they should be respected, I want to start seeing those Notes App apologies from grown men like Binnington and Brendan Lemieux, who’ve also engaged in this type of behavior. Give me a “I want to apologize to those who felt offended” ASAP!
That Old School Type of Racism
On Monday, Rick Westhead released an article on a proposal rejected by the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GHTL) that would have ensured BIPOC representation in the sport.
Here’s the article but TLDR; Akim Aliu wanted to create an expansion organization called The Dream that would have had house leagues and teams up to AAA (for the non-hockey folks: this is the highest level of minor hockey). The organization would have had several people from marginalized communities on the teams and in managerial positions.
What caught everyone’s attention, however, was the casually racist quote by the Don Mills Flyers president, Peter MacInnis.
First of all, why wouldn’t you be better prepared to be interviewed by Rick Westhead? If I were a middle-aged white man working in the hockey industry, nothing would put the fear of god in me more than receiving an “I have some questions for you” call from one of the investigative journalists working in the sport. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer to see them for what they are, but that level of hubris is just ridiculous.
Secondly, if he’s saying stuff like this on the record, we can only imagine what is being said behind closed doors. The fact that he is working with kids is also concerning, because what type of language are these kids picking up within the organization? Additionally, if the GHTL is okay with this man's employment, how are we supposed to trust their diversity efforts? Here’s what Scott Oakman, Executive Director of the GTHL, had to say about it;
So basically, there are no consequences.
Going back to the proposal, a hockey development program that fosters inclusion from the get-go is ideal, but only if it’s done on its own terms. Trying to work within the GTHL will never be what they hope for. Changing any system from within is very difficult, and it’s nearly impossible in a space that desperately upholds the status quo, like hockey. Had the project gone through, what would have ended up happening is that the organization would have become the end-all-be-all of diversity in the GTHL. They’d unwillingly shoulder the burden of all the league’s issues and be used as the “see, we’re not racist/ misogynist/ homophobic/ etc.” excuse when anything happens.
Honestly, hockey culture is so obstinate that there’s no point in asking nicely and waiting politely for things to change. Start demanding shit.
How Can I Make This About Me? The Patrick Kane Trade edition.
First, a quick note from my illustrious co-writer and friend:
Let's be real; we all knew this was gonna happen. Earlier this season, I found myself telling Perrye about the Rockford Ice Hogs development pipeline, and I was like, who am I trying to kid about not paying attention to them, lmao. I'm blaming this entirely on the fact that I try to read most of the work my friends publish, and some of them happen to be writing about Chicago. The worst part is that Perrye does not believe that I truly didn't know anything about this team for a good chunk of time after I stopped watching them. We became friends right at the start of my JT19 Crunchy Mom era (this started pre-pandemic, mind you), so she only knows this version of me… smh.
Anyway, my strongest feeling about Kane being traded is that it fully sparked an existential crisis. I started watching hockey at 20, and I turn 30 this year. I'm mostly just stuck on the fact that it's been 10 years. I have terrible time perception in general, so I just feel like John Travolta looking around wondering what the hell is going on. Also, why am I still here? Let me leave!!
On a more macro level, this was probably the best-case scenario for an organization desperately trying to rebrand itself as inclusive. We've repeatedly heard about how their front office is different, the players are supported, etc. Unfortunately (or not) for them, Kane and Toews are a reminder of the Kyle Beach case, monoliths of a bygone and very shitty era. Most of their current fan base probably doesn't think like that, but the organization should be looking into the future and the rapid rise of the "non-traditional" fanbase. They haven't been winning for a long time, so younger and newer fans don't have any good memories to hold onto. Since it doesn't look like the logo will change anytime soon, they have to pick their battles.
Now, if they come back over the summer, just ignore me, lmao.
Anyway, all this to say, I'm still going to root for the teams they play against. Cheers!
Thanks for sticking around and we’ll see you next week.
With Love,
Gaby