In a show of unity with fellow writer Chris Botta, the New York Rangers chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association won't be voting for the NHL awards this season.
New York Rangers Hockey Writers Boycotting NHL Awards
Botta had his credentials pulled by the New York Islanders back in November for what seemed to be issues with his reporting on the team's lengthy losing streak. He suggested in commentary on his blog, Islanders Point Blank, that general manager Garth Snow was partially to blame for the Isles' woes.
The Islanders never issued a reason for why they took the action.
An ex-employee of the team, Botta has written Point Blank since 2008. He’s also written for AOL FanHouse and the New York Times, and he’s a member of that New York chapter. Via Craig Custance of the Sporting News:
"Although the Rangers' chapter doesn't reflect the sentiment of the other 30 chapters, I'm respectful of its decision," PHWA president Kevin Allen said. "In America, the idea of using one's vote as a means of protest is as old as the country itself. And the issue here is important. The PHWA doesn't believe that an NHL team should be able to deny access to one of our members. Chris Botta is one of our members. And he was denied access by the New York Islanders."
You might be wondering why the Rangers writers are protesting instead of those who cover the Islanders. I couldn’t give you an exact reason on that, but my only guess is that nobody cares enough to cover them. Katie Strang at Newsday seems to have a lonely professional life.
Anyway, good on the Rangers writers for standing up for something that’s truly important.
For more on the Isles, visit SB Nation’s Lighthouse Hockey.
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