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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Lauren Theisen

Connor McDavid is stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky

2024 Stanley Cup Final – Game Three

The Charge Of The Oil Brigade

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Barry Petchesky

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 13: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 of the Edmonton Oilers skates past Carter Verhaeghe #23 of the Florida Panthers during the first period of Game Three of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on June 13, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Panther Sticks Are Everywhere

<p>Heather Chen is a former Defector intern and the managing editor at the <em>Columbia Daily Spectator</em>. She loves hockey, photography, and the good ol’ state of Michigan.</p>


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Heather Wei-Xi Chen

NHL team officials watch prospects take part in testing during the NHL Combine at HarborCenter on June 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York.

2017 NHL Combine

Asking NHL Prospects These Questions Will Fix Your Franchise

Evan Rodrigues celebrates after scoring a goal

2024 Stanley Cup Final – Game Two

The Panthers Kept The Faith

16 Nov 1999: The Mascot of the Colorado Avalanche smiles for the camera during the game against the Ottowa Senators at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Senators 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Mascot

Utah Hockey Must Seize Howler The Yeti For Their Own Nefarious Purposes

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 13: Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis (R) arrives for the announcement of a new sports arena for the Washington Wizards NBA basketball team and Washington Capitals NHL hockey team, December 13, 2023 in Alexandria, Virginia. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a tentative agreement with Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment that would move the Wizards and the Capitals from Washington, DC to what Youngkin called a new "visionary sports and entertainment venue" in northern Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Governor Glenn Youngkin Joins Ted Leonsis In Alexandria, Virginia To Make Economic Development Announcement

The Washington Capitals, You Have Made A Powerful Enemy Today

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 08: Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a tough save in the first period during game one of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Amerant Bank Area in Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL: JUN 08 Stanley Cup Final – Oilers at Panthers

Bob Was As Good As Goalies Get

Oliver Ekman-Larsson #91 of the Florida Panthers checks Jack Roslovic #96 of the New York Rangers into the boards

Florida Panthers v New York Rangers – Game One

The Panthers Will Do Anything

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 20: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers looks on after a fight against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 20, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He's kind of holding hands with the ref that's carting him away

Florida Panthers v Carolina Hurricanes – Game Two

Matthew Tkachuk Is My Beloved American Girl Doll

Jake Oettinger during pregame introductions

Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars game one of the second round of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Stars Crashed Down To Earth

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 02: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his first-period goal against the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 2, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Dallas Stars v Edmonton Oilers – Game Six

Connor McDavid What In The Actual Hell

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Ray Ratto

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 02: Fans cheer on the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place on June 2, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Edmonton At The End

Wyatt Johnston scores a goal on Stuart Skinner

NHL: MAY 27 Western Conference Final – Stars at Oilers

Sometimes The Puck Goes In, And Sometimes It Doesn’t

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts after his game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the second overtime in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 23, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Edmonton Oilers v Dallas Stars – Game One

The Oilers Bailed Out Connor McDavid And He Returned The Favor

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Arts And Culture

What Makes Hockey Hockey?

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates after scoring a goal against Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

New York Rangers v Carolina Hurricanes – Game Six

Chris Kreider Saved The Rangers’ Asses

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David Roth

Caitlin Clark disputing a call during her first WNBA game, a loss to the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024,

Indiana Fever v Connecticut Sun

Podcasts

When The Planes Become Available, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 26: Mark Messier is shown on the red carpet prior to the 2023 NHL Awards, held on June 26, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL: JUN 26 2023 NHL Awards

Mark Messier Selects Winner Of Mark Messier Award For Player Who Best Exemplifies Qualities Of Mark Messier

Dallas Stars v Colorado Avalanche – Game Four

Where Is Wyatt Johnston’s Off Switch?

EDMONTON, AB - MAY 12: Edmonton Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save in the second period of game five of the Western Conference Second Round Edmonton Oilers game versus the Vancouver Canucks on May 12, 2024 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL: MAY 12 Western Conference 2nd Round – Canucks at Oilers

The Oilers Have Two Goalie Problems

Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins – Game Four

I Am Begging For A Goalie Fight In Panthers-Bruins

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 09: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers scores a goal against Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 09, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

New York Rangers v Carolina Hurricanes – Game Three

The Rangers Are Killers

Sportsnet's Hockey Night In Canada studio set

Sportsnet has built a new set for their hockey coverage, including a new set for Hockey Night in Canada.

The Best Way To Stream The NHL Playoffs Is Dead

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 19: The main entrance of the Delta Center is seen with the "NHL in Utah" logos on April 19, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The NHL has allowed the sale of the Arizona Coyotes and the team will relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

NHL Grants Arizona Coyotes Sale And Relocation To Utah

How Long Can It Possibly Take To Name A Team?

Sunrise, FL - May 8: Boston Bruins RW David Pastrnak fighting with Florida Panthers RW Matthew Tkachuk in the third period. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Boston Bruins (1) Vs Florida Panthers (6) At Amerant Bank Arena

The Boys Are Scrappin’