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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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<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

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Lauren Theisen

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

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

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

Megan Keller #5 of Boston reacts to a collision with Grace Zumwinkle #13 of Minnesota

PWHL Finals – Game Four

PWHL

Boston Is The Cruelest Team

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Arts And Culture

What Makes Hockey Hockey?

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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

Dallas Stars v Colorado Avalanche – Game Four

Where Is Wyatt Johnston’s Off Switch?

Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins – Game Four

I Am Begging For A Goalie Fight In Panthers-Bruins

Miles Wood scores the winning goal in overtime

Colorado Avalanche v Dallas Stars – Game One

On A Night Of Ugly Goals, Miles Wood Dared To Be Pretty

Connor Hellebuyck during the singing of O Canada

Colorado Avalanche v Winnipeg Jets – Game Five

There’s Nothing To Do In Winnipeg But Wait

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Aleksander Barkov shake hands after the Panthers win

Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers – Game Five

There’s Nothing Special About The Lightning Anymore

Edmonton Oilers v Los Angeles Kings – Game Four

The Oilers Needed A Stuart Skinner Game

Anze Kopitar celebrates his overtime game-winning goal

Los Angeles Kings v Edmonton Oilers – Game Two

The Kings Are Bridging The Generation Gap

Winnipeg Jets players salute the fans after their win

Colorado Avalanche v Winnipeg Jets – Game One

The Jets Ripped Up The Script

Dakota Joshua is congratulated by his teammates after scoring

Nashville Predators v Vancouver Canucks – Game One

Goals Make Goal Songs

Arizona Coyotes arena in 1996, with a big coyote inflatable

America West Arena

Let’s Look Back On The Great Moments In Arizona Coyotes History

Alex Ovechkin leaves the ice after warmups

Washington Capitals v Philadelphia Flyers

There’s Not Always Next Year

Lucas Raymond scores the game-winning goal

Montreal Canadiens v Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings Are Still Alive! (For Now)

Christian Dvorak celebrates after scoring a goal for the Canadiens

Philadelphia Flyers v Montreal Canadiens

Stop It! Stop It! The Flyers Are Already Dead!

Nick Suzuki steps onto the ice for warm-ups

Toronto Maple Leafs v Montreal Canadiens

I Was A Habs Fan For A Night And That’s Plenty

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 27: Tanner Jeannot #84 of the Tampa Bay Lightning battles for the puck against goalie Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins during the third period at Amalie Arena on March 27, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

Boston Bruins v Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning Are Almost Ready For Their Real Season To Begin

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