Graphic by Marcie Cruz
June marks National Indigenous History Month in Canada and to recognize that, we wanted to highlight Fred Sasakamoose, the first treaty Indigenous player in the NHL.
A former student of St. Michael’s Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, SK, Sasakamoose played 11 games for the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1953–54 NHL season. Following his retirement from competitive hockey in 1961, he dedicated himself to encouraging youth through sports involvement.
Sasakamoose’s posthumous memoir Call Me Indian: From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the NHL’s First Treaty Indigenous Player was released May 18, 2021.
Welcome back to THE DROP PASS, your week in review of everything Offside News Co. Every edition will recap hockey news, from our team-focused columns to podcasts and everything in between.
The hockey season (in North America, at least) is technically over now, with the Toronto Marlies winning the Calder Cup, but the content keeps coming. With the PWHL draft done and NHL draft coming up, the off-season is merely a myth. Because after that it’s free agency, development camp… you get the idea. Oh, and trades. And signings. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
THIS WEEK IN HOCKEY…
Thank you to our lovely staff for these headlines!
Toronto Marlies Prove That Hockey Teams Can Win Things In Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Beloved Blorbo, Again
Another Florida Man Incoming: Brady Tkachuk Traded to the Florida Panthers
At Least He Already Has A Cup: Mackie Samoskevich Heads To Seattle
Montreal Victoire Planning on Running It Back By Any Means Necessary
ALL I DO IS WIN 🥇 OR LOSE 😕
We got the winner’s (Canes) perspective from Rachel Robinson, and then the loser’s (Vegas) perspective from Lindy Nelson to wrap up our 2026 Stanley Cup coverage!
PWHL EXPANSION… YAY…
Writer Skylar Smith writes an op-ed about the PWHL expansion and all the craziness that’s come with it.
GIRL BYE 👋🏻
The US Olympic Team group chat strikes again. With Brady Tkachuk headed to sandier beaches, joining his brother Matthew in Florida, Emma Bartlett reflects on the former Sens Captain and his departure.
WHERE DO YOU CALL HOME 🏠
The Dallas Stars announced that they’re moving to Plano, Texas soon. Writer Natalie Tu dived deeper into NHL arenas, and if they actually boost their surrounding community.
⁉️ WE HAVE QUESTIONS. ALL THE QUESTIONS.
The Montreal Canadiens aren’t the only team in town asking potential draftees completely deranged, psychologically damaging questions!
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Missed the PWHL Draft? We have recaps of what (some) of the teams did below!
DREAM UNTIL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE ✨
As the draft gets closer, we’re highlighting our top prospects as our coverage continues! The NHL Draft takes place this week from June 26-27.
Our draft sickos have been hard at work highlighting the next generation. Check out all their work below and find your new favourite player to cheer on!
FILM REELS 🎥
Writer Zachariah Steele reviews Code of Misconduct, a documentary that covers the 2025 trial of five members on Hockey Canada’s 2018 World Junior team.
HEY, REMEMBER WHEN?
Ollie Shane takes us back to the infamous 2023 Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers playoff series.
SOUND BITES 🎧
Check out the newest episode of The Takeover from Skye and Sarah below!
STICK TAPS 🏒
At Offside News Co, it is our core belief that those with a voice or platform should use said platform to support those in need.
June marks Pride Month in many nations around the world. Inspired by Dr. Tom Waddell’s work to foster inclusion and acceptance through sports, we encourage readers to support the Gay Games. The Gay Games XII will be taking place in València, Spain, from June 27 - July 4, 2026.
See You Next Week!
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