Alex Prewitt

“Happy Gilmore” proved pivotal for Adam Sandler on his path to becoming one of the most bankable, beloved presences in comedy.

It all might have never happened without the elementary school classmate from New Hampshire known to Sandler as simply “McD."

http://dlvr.it/TM8v9b

‘Real-life Happy Gilmore’: Meet the hockey player who inspired the Adam Sandler movies A lifelong friend of the famous comedian, Kyle McDonough starred on the ice at Vermont and served as motivation for the fictional golfer.

“You got to talk to Kyle McDonough? The best. The king.”

Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy and the man himself on the hockey player behind "Happy Gilmore."

@theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

The Hockey Canada trial could have been a reckoning. It was something else The eight-week trial proved challenging to manage, leading to two jury dismissals and eventually the judge-only decision.

In the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial five players were on trial and, to some degree, so too was the woman.

But the case has always been viewed more broadly.

In the end, what message are we left with?

W/t Katie Strang

www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

The Hockey Canada trial could have been a reckoning. It was something else The eight-week trial proved challenging to manage, leading to two jury dismissals and eventually the judge-only decision.

Read this, from @danrobson.bsky.social and Katie Strang:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

We’re at the courthouse in London, Ont., where verdicts are expected in the Hockey Canada trial.

Our live updates are here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

The story of the Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau trade: ‘Are you kidding me?’ The Athletic looks back at the biggest trade of the NHL offseason, featuring Matthew Tkachuk, Jonathan Huberdeau and more.

So today’s the three-year anniversary of the Tkachuk-Huberdeau/Weegar swap between Calgary and Florida.

For fans who never read my story about the trade, here you go. Fascinating trade to look back on years after the fact.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/362...

Tomorrow is my last day at The Washington Post. I'm taking a buyout. Was a thrill and I will write something else about all this at some point.

'A long time coming': NHL goalies see big benefits in changes to EBUG system

NHL goalies see big benefits in changes to the EBUG system under the new CBA:

“A long time coming”

My story on @theathletic.com ⤵️

Breanna Stewart loves Harry Potter while opposing J.K. Rowling “I want to have a way to be able to love both [the trans community and Harry Potter], and to counterbalance [J. K. Rowling]”, Breanna Stewart said.

“I want to have a way to be able to love both [the trans community and Harry Potter], and to counterbalance [Rowling].” Well, Breanna, maybe you just can’t have both! Glad @emilyadler.bsky.social asked her about the ongoing Harry Potter collab for @thenext.bsky.social

NHL players react to new CBA terms, from ‘slight’ concessions to ‘contentious’ changes A sampling of opinion from around the league found players in favor of the changes, even if not with total enthusiasm.

Teamed with @jessegranger.bsky.social for this story on NHL players reacting to new CBA.

Via @theathletic.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/art... NHL players react to new CBA terms, from ‘slight’ concessions to ‘contentious’ changes

its odd no ones talking about how zohran lied, hitting accept on warcraft 3 reign of chaos battle.net terms of service, despite not in fact being a teen yet

Pretty incredible interview with NY Liberty's Natasha Cloud telling Trump to fuck around and find out about attacking Zohran.

entering hour two of a tag team boss battle vs the evil dr gas over here

WNBA announces record expansion to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia The decision to grow to 18 teams will be a new record for the league, which previously peaked at 16 teams in 2002.

Happy WNBA expansion day to us all!

@benpickman.bsky.social on it, per usual

Working on a Dave Parker tribute for tomorrow @fangraphs.com and once again coming up against the shoddy state of the Sports Illustrated Vault. What was once an absolute treasure of sports journalism, with every issue searchable, has been desecrated. It's a damn shame.

🇰🇷파이팅!🇰🇷

omg congratulations you two!!!

As a child of Romanian immigrants, unending determination and work ethic were the fabric of Sabrina Ionescu’s upbringing.

Her family’s collective journey informs how she conducts herself. How she moves through the world, and all that comes at her: http://dlvr.it/TLPc7W

How the NHL grew its Stanley Cup playoff beard tradition: ‘We were too tired to shave’ "To win the Stanley Cup is a miserable two months." Denis Potvin said. "The beard is a reminder of how much you have to put into it."

The StanleyCup is in the house Tuesday, which means players’ razors could soon be put to use.

Had fun with this @theathletic.bsky.social story looking at the origin of the famed playoff beard that traces back to @newjorkislanders.bsky.social dynasty.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

Should Senators be interested in Ekblad if he hits free agency? Mailbag, Part 2

If he hits the free agent market, is Aaron Ekblad the play for the Senators?

That question, and more, in Part 2 of the #Sens mailbag.

Thanks to all the readers who send in great questions at @theathletic.bsky.social! Makes these mailbags super fun to put together!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...

'A brutal feeling': After another Stanley Cup Final goalie benching, NHL netminders discuss the dreaded yank

“It’s embarrassing. It’s a brutal feeling.”

After another Stanley Cup Final goalie benching, I asked a couple NHL goalies for their thoughts on the dreaded yank

On @theathletic.bsky.social ⤵️

YouTube video by glasscapsule Kobayashi vs Giant Bear

the kobayashi v. bear one is so funny www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgqb...

NHL trade grades: Rangers needed to unload Chris Kreider to move forward How did our staff evaluate the retooling Rangers' return from Anaheim for their longest-tenured skater?

It's the end of an era, with the Rangers trading Kreider to the Ducks in a cap-clearing move.

Trade grades: www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...

Should the Senators target Marco Rossi this offseason? Mailbag, Part 1

We got a ton of questions in the recent #Sens mailbag at
@theathletic.bsky.social including whether or not the Sens should look into acquiring Minnesota Wild forward (and former Ottawa 67s) Marco Rossi.

I tackle some pros and cons in my latest.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...

The 9 most intriguing teams of NHL free agency: What I heard from a buzzy draft combine Which teams are poised to make big moves over the next few weeks, and for who? Plus, an update on CBA talks.

Looking at the NHL rumour mill with free agency 3 weeks away

www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...

You may have seen the commercial. Like, hundreds of times. You may have sung Lay It On The Line a few times.

Here’s the story on how the song came to be and how it became a musical earworm 50 years later because of a commercial and the NHL playoffs.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...

What we know about Russian Federation hockey’s exclusion from 2026 Winter Olympics

Worked with ⁦colleague @peterbaugh.bsky.social to gather some intel about 2026 Winter Olympics and Russia’s hockey participation.

Via @theathletic.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/639... Russian hockey teams remain banned from 2026 Olympics. What does it mean for NHL players?

Couple names I’ve heard are in the mix for coaching spots under Mike Sullivan with #NYR:

Joe Sacco, recently Bruins interim HC, and David Quinn, former #NYR HC who was with Sullivan in Pittsburgh last season. Quinn is a candidate for the Penguins coaching spot.

What World Does Bitcoin Want To Build For Itself? | Defector LAS VEGAS — “We often talk about baseball games as a metric for where we are, and we’re literally in the first inning,” one of the Winklevoss twins gloats. “And this game’s going to overtime.” It’s th...

Incredible blog here. This is a gift link: defector.com/what-world-d...

“It’s almost a year since (the accident), but I think it’s something that can take a lifetime to heal from. Any time you get a chance to support, especially the bigger events, it’s really special.”

Latest from @peterbaugh.bsky.social: