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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.

Defector

Justin Ellis

Sometimes You Have To Embrace The Spectacle

Lauren Theisen

Dylan Larkin knocks the puck off Viktor Arvidsson's stick

Dylan Larkin Will Do Anything For A Point

In The Midst Of This Lost Season, Can The Maple Leafs Turn It Around?

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Hockey Canada Chair Gives Terrible Testimony, Resigns, Prompts Everyone Else To Resign

32 Teams, 29 Guys, One Building, And One Deity: Your Guide To The 2022–23 NHL Season


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

A weathered Canadian flag flutters in Big Valley north of Calgary, Canada, 11 June, 2007.

Hockey Canada Reminds Us Who’s Really In Charge Here

A maple leaf projected onto ice during the Canadian National Anthem

Hockey Canada Failed Hockey And Canada

Rays Week

In Shock Move, Johnny Gaudreau Signs To Play In Former Home Of Editorial Cartoonist Ray Evans

Ray Bourque Was The Quintessential Old Guy Who Chased Down A Cup

Nazem Kadri is congratulated by Valeri Nichushkin

Let The Bidding Wars Begin For The Avalanche’s Playoff Heroes

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche lifts the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Nathan MacKinnon Gave The Avalanche Everything They Dreamed He Might

Colorado Won Ugly


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Split image: Valeri Kamensky on one side, in a white Nordiques jersey, on the left side that same person but in the 1993 video game NHL '94

Video Games

Creating New Video Game Sports Memories, Decades Later

The Lightning Tried Turning It Off And Back On Again

Andre Burakovsky celebrates with teammates

Game 1 Delivered On The Hype

Kathryn Xu

How To Ruin An Advanced Stat

Steven Stamkos Won’t Let Go Of The Cup Without A Fight

This Dang Pat Maroon Is Still Winning

The Lightning Finally Struck

We Should Make The Goalies Even Worse

Please Stop Interrupting The Hockey To Tell Me To Watch Hockey, I’m Already Watching Hockey

Blake Coleman kicks the puck past Mike Smith for a non-goal

I Never Want To Hear The Phrase “Distinct Kicking Motion” Ever Again So Help Me God