Graphic by Marcie Cruz
Sometime after midnight on June 28th, 1969, the Stonewall Riots began outside the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood of New York City. The riots were followed by several days of demonstrations in NYC, and is considered by many to be a turning point for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
As a queer-run publication, we at Offside News Co believe it is imperative to recognize and honour those who fought for our right to exist as our most authentic selves — especially those who continue to be discarded and dehumanized by those in power. In February 2025, the National Parks Service updated their webpage on the history of the Stonewall Riots to remove all mention of transgender people as well as any use of the word "queer.” We encourage readers to read Cal Goodin’s piece with the National Parks Conservation Association recognizing those erased by these edits.
This first pride was a riot and we will not be silent as our queer siblings are harmed or our elders are erased from the history books.
Happy Pride and solidarity forever.
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.
Congrats! Did you survive the draft? We did, barely! This week, development camps will be taking place throughout the league. Oftentimes, practices and scrimmages are free or at low cost, so if you’re around and want to see the next generation of talent, head over to the rink.
The beloved free agency season starts on Wednesday. Yay. Now that it’s officially off-season for many, trust that we will still be publishing plenty. But we also encourage you to go outside. Read a book. Go on coffee dates with friends. The ice will always be here!
THIS WEEK IN HOCKEY…
Thank you to our lovely staff for these headlines!
The Unnamed Chicago Team Trade Away Connor Bedard’s Hopes and Dreams Away for Gum on Buffalo’s Shoes
The Best Connor Mc in the League Lands in St. Louis
The Boston Bruins Keep Getting More German
Kraken No Longer Marked Safe From Pissing Off Editor Jayd Serdy This Offseason
Jordan Martinook Reportedly Still on Front Porch Waiting to Make Draft Pick Announcement
Leafs Lover Justin Bieber Outmogged by Laila Edwards in Buffalo
Pittsburgh Penguins Draft Alexa and Alexie Grady
The Future Has Never Been More Teal. In Fact, GM Mike Grier Bleeds Teal
TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROAD 🥹
223 names were called this past weekend at the NHL Draft! Congrats to all the players and their loved ones.
ICYMI, we sent out a special edition of the newsletter on Friday, and you can catch up on the draft profiles we published all throughout June below.
NOT DONE YET…
The Draft may be over, but we’re not! Throughout the next few weeks, we’ll be publishing recaps of what each did and who they picked below. First up, the Philadelphia Flyers.
WHAT A WEEK, HUH?
NHL GMs all looked at the calendar, ignored the weather outside, and said, “Hey. It’s March!”
Natalie Tu recapped all that happened last week with trade news. Read below!
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Missed the PWHL Draft? We have recaps of what (some) of the teams did below!
COME GET YOUR GOALIES! 🥅
Ash Baldwin wrote about all the goalies who played in the 2026 playoffs.
THIS DID HAPPEN THIS WEEK. WE PROMISE
Last Tuesday, which feels like forever ago, Bowen Byram was traded to Chicago in a deal that had all of us asking Kyle Davidson if Connor Bedard was available. Skylar Smith envisioned how that call probably went down.
BLOW THE TRUMPETS🎺
Ash Baldwin reflected on their time in the Quinnipiac pep band, what the best pep band songs are in their opinion, and why professional teams should introduce live music like this at their games.
SOUND BITES 🎧
After a brief hiatus, check out the newest episodes of From the Fourth Line 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.
With the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, it’s important to recognize the role of our queer elders in where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.
We encourage readers to donate to a local senior pride organization — co-managing editor Liz wishes to shoutout the Ottawa Senior Pride Network and QUIRK-E (Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders) — or Services & Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Elders (SAGE).
See You Next Week!
Offside News Co is not-for-profit, personally-run collective, but websites do cost money! If you enjoy our content, please consider purchasing from our store or donating so we can keep the lights on in this arena.
