The ASG Draft and the Only Women in Sight

Last night was the All-Star Game "Fantasy" Draft (quotes mine because why fantasy if it's actually happening??). It was well done--I thought it'd be entertaining for the awkward factor, but it ended up being entertaining for what it was. The only problem was that, much like the real draft, the later rounds were pretty dull. Unless you're a fan of Matt Duchene and/or Phil Kessel--who took his last-one-picked pretty well. Though the car certainly helped!

However, it wasn't all wonderful. The part that really got to me was the two thin white conventionally pretty women in tiny little dresses who handed the jerseys to the players and took the guys' jackets away.



[empty image because I refuse]

I AM SO SICK OF THE LEAGUE TREATING WOMEN LIKE PRETTY LITTLE OBJECTS. Women are so invisible in the league--I know this. I talk about it all the time. We created this space because of it. The main/only place women are ever seen around the sport, on broadcasts or on the ice, is as mute, conventionally pretty, scantily clad, OBJECTS.

I am even more sick of the way it makes fans be all “OHHHH BET *INSERT POPULAR PLAYER HERE* GOT THAT CHICK’S PHONE NUMBER/TAPPED THAT ASS” and/or “What a skank/ho/whore/bitch, get away from *insert favorite player here*/eat a cheeseburger/put on some clothes/learn something about hockey.” Grow up, fans.

And grow up, NHL. I have such high hopes that someday they'll stop disappointing me like this. Eternal optimist, I am.

Article on Taylor Crosby

Taylor Crosby is awesome.

Not that anyone ever doubted it.

Real Girl of the Year (2008)

Found this the other day, trying to find someone who makes hockey clothes for American Girl dolls (nothing exists, making me wish I knew how to sew because I'd be all over that). American Girl had this "Real Girl of the Year" award, looks like it was just in play in 2007 and 2008, which is a shame. Anyway, one of the winners in 2008 was a hockey player, Ryan:

Ryan in her hockey gear

Last summer Ryan was invited to practice with a boys select team. When she first skated out on the ice, they all just stared at her. During drills, boys would cut in front of her. She persevered and after they saw how well she could skate, they all started talking to her. Even though it was very uncomfortable for Ryan, she stuck with it because she knew it was a unique opportunity to improve—and to prove that she belongs on the ice, too.

I seriously don't have anything else to say except AWESOME.

 Photo and info yanked from right here.