Graphic by Marcie Cruz
Dr. Tom Waddell was an American medical doctor, decathlete in the 1968 Summer Olympics, and the founder of the Gay Olympics (later known as the Gay Games).
Waddell founded the Gay Olympics, emphasizing sportsmanship, personal achievement, and inclusivenes — He saw the Games as a way to make homosexuality acceptable in the sports community, but also to make sports acceptable in the homosexual community.
Diagnosed with AIDS in 1985, he lived to see the success of Gay Games II in 1986, and even participated, winning the gold medal in the javelin. He passed away July 11, 1987, aged 49, in San Francisco. His last words were "Well, this should be interesting."
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.
June is in full swing! We hope those who are entering the summer season are staying cool, whether you’re literally staying cool in an ice arena or mentally staying cool and participating (or not) in everyone’s favourite off-season activity — discourse! Kidding. Mostly.
This isn’t a basketball publication but to our New York readers, props to that guy who has put “My mayor is Muslim, my bagel is Jewish, my Christian’s Dior, Knicks in four” into my vocabulary. I’m a Bostonian, so I personally cannot support the Knicks on a geographical and moral note, but that chant is generational. For our San Antonio fans, if you can come up with a catchier chant, let me know. I’m all ears.
Anyways, back to hockey!
THIS WEEK IN HOCKEY…
Thank you to our lovely staff for these headlines!
NHL Teams Conduct League Sanctioned Psychological Torture of Teenagers
I Don’t Know What’s Happening in the PWHL and at this Point I’m Too Scared to Ask
NHL Awards Dox Andrei Vasilevskiy
LOUD AND PROUD 🏳️🌈
In this era of increasing polarization, where queer people are facing more discrimination than ever, Matthew Auchincloss and Charles Huxley wanted to look at each NHL team’s efforts in expressing support for the queer community.
Make sure to check out their thorough review of every single Pride Night hosted by NHL teams throughout the 2025-26 season.
✨FUTURE’S BRIGHT, DAZZLING
We have officially kicked off our NHL Draft coverage! Every day leading up to the draft — which takes place from June 26-27 — we will be spotlighting the prospects. We’re also continuing our PWHL draft coverage. That will take place on June 17.
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!
JOURNEY TO THE ‘SHIP 🏆
Vegas holds a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals, but Carolina isn’t making it easy for them. Breanna Ebisch also sums up the Colorado Avalanche’s bland goodbye to the season. Read 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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