Saturday Habs Links: What makes a sports fan?

Around the League and Elsewhere

• A sharp look at the myth of being "A Real Sports Fan (TM)". I think in order to participate in fandom, ie. 'actively' be a fan of something, requires belief in a myth of something greater in yourself. At best it forms a kinship with strangers you would have otherwise never met. At worse it becomes another way to justify snobbish exclusion. It's not the concept of sports fandom itself that's at fault. [The Guardian]

This is the power of The Great Sports Myth. We not only want to believe in the greatness of our star athletes, but we want to believe their greatness is a product of their participation in sports, and that through our own participation – however tangential or superficial it may be – we can be a part of it. [...] It seizes on the very real power and beauty of athletics and the awesome spectacle that occurs when the whole world is watching.

• New details just emerged from the sexual assault case against Mike Ribeiro, filed by his (at the time) eighteen year old nanny. It's some seriously disturbing stuff, guys. Please don't read if you're sensitive about this type of violence. [On the Forecheck]

• An interview with the head of Toronto's amateur scouting director. [TSN]

• A Patrick Sharp trade is "expected" next week. The asking price is "one first-round pick, an "A" prospect and another piece on an entry-level contract." [Second City Hockey]

• Roundup of the best moments from the Cup parade this year. [Second City Hockey]

• The real reason Glendale canceled its arena lease with the Coyotes: it was originally due to pay $3.75 million in two weeks time to the team. [KTAR News]

• Down Goes Brown made an offseason primer for 2015, covering the Entry Draft, the trade market, and free agency season. [Grantland]

• Bob McKenzie talks about Dan Bylsma in Buffalo, and what's going to happen to the Arizona Coyotes. [TSN 690]

• What does it say about either me or the NHL awards that I've never heard of a single one of their 'celebrity' presenters? [Puck Daddy]

• An Australian reporter attempts hockey for the first time in his life. He skated "like a dolphin, on a bike" [Brisbane Times]

Before getting onto the rink I had to be kitted up with more protective gear than someone in the military about to dispose of a bomb. For a brief moment, that seemed like it would be more fun.

Standing on the ice for the first time, I moved like newborn giraffe who just spotted a herd of lions in the distance. I was terrified and frightened.