Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 84, was posthumously diagnosed with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Researchers at Boston University's CTE Center conducted the examination, revealing that Hull had been suffering from the neurodegenerative disease at the time of his death. Hull's widow, Deborah, disclosed that he experienced short-term memory loss and impaired judgment in his later years. Motivated by the mental decline of his former teammate, Stan Mikita, who also had CTE, Hull chose to donate his brain to advance research on this debilitating condition. Studies indicate that the risk of developing CTE increases by 34% for each year of playing hockey. CTE is a progressive brain disease associated with repeated head traumas, commonly found in athletes involved in contact sports. Hull's contribution aims to further understanding and awareness of CTE in the hockey community.

The recent 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game between the United States and Canada attracted a record-breaking 10.1 million viewers across both countries. This figure represents a remarkable 203% increase in viewership compared to their 2016 World Cup of Hockey matchup. The broadcast, aired on networks including Sportsnet, CITY, SN+, TVA Sports, and ABC, achieved the highest ratings for a non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2019. The intense rivalry was evident, with the game featuring three fights within the first nine seconds, culminating in a victory for the United States. The heightened interest in this matchup underscores