A/N: I basically had this entire thing written and then people at Hockey Canada started stepping down, Rachel Doerrie hired a labour lawyer re: her dismissal, and Ian Cole was indefinitely suspended. In the interest of this newsletter being under 3000 words, I’m not going to discuss all that. Have fun with the rest of the bullshit.
Every day it’s something, isn’t it?
Thursday, September 29th: Rachel Doerrie, formally of the Vancouver Canucks analytics department, was seemingly let go from the position. People get laid off in hockey all the time, it happens. I’m sure Rachel will bounce back. That’s not what I’m noting here. Rob Simpson, formally of Vancouver Hockey Now, described Doerrie as a “diversity beacon”. I say formally because he was then let go from his position. Oh, how the turn tables. But, yes. Diversity beacon. Because that’s all a woman in hockey can be. She didn’t bring anything else to the job except a diversity checkmark. Sure, Rob was fired for his comments, but the response online made it clear he wasn’t the only one with that opinion.
Tuesday, October 4th: Hockey Canada execs once again appeared before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to discuss how the organization was responding to the absolute clusterfuck that is their current situation: sexual assault allegations, 2 (two) slush funds to cover up sexual assault allegations, and a never-ending chorus of Canadians calling for the burning down and salting what remains of Hockey Canada and the existing board.
It went about as poorly as one could imagine with the interim chair of the board Andrea Skinner continuing to defend the organization, calling the justified criticism “unduly cynical attacks”, and claiming that without Hockey Canada hockey would cease to exist in Canada so maybe think about that, haters!
Wednesday, October 5th: Paul Bissonnette, who describing as a former ice hockey player is a little too generous in my opinion, made a comment on the NHL on TNT broadcast that Tyler Seguin (noted hot man? I don’t know) was responsible for half the female viewership in the NHL. Women only watch sports for hot men! Get it! GET IT!!
Now I don’t expect riveting, insightful analysis from Paul. I barely expect proper sentence structure. But this shit is so fucking tiring. It’s a tired, lame joke. It’s a tired, insulting stereotype. It’s especially tired when, see above, the premiere hockey institution in Canada is currently in the middle of a sexual assault scandal. These jokes, the way players treat women, the misogyny, the abuse – these things don’t happen in a vacuum. They all are part of the same system that keeps women from feeling welcome in a sport they love to being abused by the men that play it.
I shouldn’t have to bring out my hockey resume every time a misogynist pulls this bullshit. I shouldn’t have to sit you down and tell you the story of my hockey origin story and qualify all the ways in which I am a Real Fan™. I, frankly, do not owe you shit, Mr. Bissonnette, and I’m so fucking tired of watching younger female fans feel like they have to defend their place in this hellscape.
Thursday, October 6th: Jake Virtanen is released from his PTO with the Edmonton Oilers. Virtanen, if you missed the news, was charged with one count of sexual assault this past January but was ultimately found not guilty in July. This, of course, does not legally or logically mean the allegation was false. It’s also important to remember just how few sexual assaults end up going to trial due to dismissal or lack of faith in the so-called justice system. So interesting how much leeway the accused are given in comparison to those who were assaulted. Especially in hockey! Ha! Wonderful!
Friday, October 7th: An anonymous Twitter account with the username Emily_Smith3333 posted a statement accusing Ian Cole of grooming and sexually assaulting them. Following an investigation that took not even a full week, the NHL claimed to have found no evidence of the claims and considers this case closed.
I don’t even have words left about this.
A few weeks ago, I attended an Ottawa Senators game with some friends. For the most part, it was a good time except for the guys behind us. Not only were they spilling their drinks level drunk but they were actively rooting for Drake Batherson (who scored several times as well, delightful). Like went to go buy a Batherson jersey at intermission, chanting his name, yelling I love you, etc.
At one point I heard the ongoing Hockey Canada scandal brought up, referencing Batherson’s presumed involvement. “Oh that shit’s still happening?” was the reply.
It really is every fucking day.
What I’m Watching:
What I’m Reading:
I’ve accepted audiobooks into my life and now I’m unstoppable, I feel like a god. It’s been a while since the last issue (my bad) so here’s a list of some recent favourites.
Venus and Aphrodite: A Biography of Desire
The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory
Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir
Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy
If you want to see what else I’m reading, follow me on The StoryGraph!
Articles:
What media can learn from Jon Stewart's surprising interview with Arkansas AG Rutledge
What We Lost With The End Of The Bus
Internet Shit:
Till next time!
xoxo, Liz