Requiem for a middleweight

He snores when he sleeps on his back.

His wife isn’t thrilled with the rumbling, he jokes. But he can’t do much about it even when she gives him a poke to roll over. The lingering effects of numerous shoulder injuries and four surgeries to put things back together in those joints have made it tough to drift off lying on his side.

But at least Kyle Hagel sleeps well now. It wasn’t always so easy.

For nine years, he would lie down for an afternoon nap before games as has been hockey tradition forever. Yet by the time his teammates were already dreaming, he’d often still be staring at the ceiling with his head spinning. Just as he’d done the night before.

My Take on Sports Trades and Their Impact

Sometimes we forget that being a professional athlete is a job. It's a job performed by human beings. So when a trade occurs, it's easy to lose sight that a person just switched companies--moving from a place, a group of people, a city--and their life has been turned upside down.

The NHL's Greatest Duos Ever

We're in the heart of the NHL playoffs. It's one of the most exciting times of the year.

Ken Hitchcock Says Farewell

When it comes to sports, most fans have short memories, especially of coaches. And that's too bad.

Coaching is a tireless job that likely doesn't receive the respect it's due. To be great, these coaches are often the first in the building and the last ones out. They deal with interpersonal issues every day. And, often sacrifice time with their family in order to prepare for upcoming games.

RMC Hangs On For Huge Win Against Rival Queen's

Despite being out shot 28-18, the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins were able to gut out a huge 3-2 victory against the program's major rival, Queen's.

Here Come the AIC Yellow Jackets

In U.S. college hockey, Army is among the elite. Right now, the Black Knights sit atop the Atlantic Hockey standings. But, there's a scrappy team in the conference that is trying to shake up the hierarchy and assert themselves at the top. That team is American International (AIC).

It also turns out AIC new head coach spent the past four seasons as an assistant on the Army staff. The two teams met a couple weeks ago. And, both coaches shared mutual admiration for one another. These kinds of relationships are what make sports special.

Check it out here: A Special Reunion for AIC's Lang

Five Years Later, Rick Rypien's Story Still Resonates

Five years ago, the NHL lost a young man who had left a tremendous impact on all the communities he had touched.

Rick Rypien, best known for his time with the Vancouver Canucks, was by all accounts an excellent teammate and wonderful person. He was also plagued by mental illness, a challenge that is not embraced well in hockey circles. His story is incredibly important. Please give it a read.

The Province has chronicled it in depth.