NHL

The new NHL season during the pandemic has begun -- and we're already seeing some changes, as well as some traditions of combat ... and the latter ain't a good look.

Saturday marked the beginning of the 2020 season, which is being played in only two Canadian hub cities -- Toronto and Edmonton. Hockey is following in the footsteps of the NBA ... which is also being played in a bubble, unlike MLB and soon ... the NFL as well.

Anyway, two things of note went down to kick things off -- first off, we got our first glimpse of a classic hockey fistfight on the ice ... something that's actually allowed in the sport. Justin Williams and Ryan Strome -- of the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers respectively -- went at it during their match, coming to blows, until referees eventually broke it up.

Neither guy was wearing a mask -- and no, we're not talking hockey masks or helmets. No distancing either ... so yeah, they were puffing particles right at each other, which ain't safe. On the flip side, they're all technically quarantined -- so perhaps no harm no foul?

At any rate, it was interesting to see ... even in the pandemic, old habits die hard in some sports.

Second, we saw the first showing of kneeling for Black Lives Matter -- but the gesture didn't go down en masse. It was just Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild, who gave a speech before the National Anthem was played ... and got some shoulder support from two Blackhawks and Oilers players.

Some of the biggest icons in pro sports -- from Patrick Mahomes to Marshawn Lynch to George Kittle -- have now publicly joined the fight to end racism in hockey ... sending a powerful video message Thursday.

The NFL All-Pros teamed up with golf superstar Brooks Koepka, Lakers forward Danny Green and many more -- including some of the NHL's best -- to show their support for the Hockey Diversity Alliance.

FYI -- the HDA was just created last month by Akim Aliu and Evander Kane ... and its main goal is to eradicate racism from a sport that's had a checkered history of it.

Mahomes and Green start out the vid ... while others chime in at different points -- with everyone involved promising to stand behind Aliu and Kane in the fight for equality.

"There's no place for racism in our sport," the players say in the video. "Let's all do our part. Because sport has the power to change."

TMZ Sports spoke with Akim about the impact those huge stars can make in hockey.

"Their support means the world to us," Aliu says.

"Having athletes of that stature and that caliber believe in our message will further broaden our reach to make the necessary changes we need, in not just hockey, but society as a whole."

He adds, "It's time the NHL and the rest of the hockey world begin to take tangible steps into making our game more inclusive and diverse."

Aliu, Kane and the HDA say in the six weeks since they formed the org. ... they've had "ongoing dialogue" with some of hockey's biggest organizations, including the NHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner is putting his fat, new contract to good use ... by investing in a major Esports company!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... 23-year-old Marner -- who just inked a 6-year, $65 million deal -- is following The Weeknd's lead in becoming a part-owner of OverActive Media, a company that has pro Overwatch and Call of Duty teams based in the 6.

The Leafs winger is an avid gamer when he's not on the ice ... making it a business move he's really passionate about.

"Over the past few months, I’ve live-streamed with several Toronto Ultra players and built some great friendships with the team at OverActive," Marner says. "As a gamer, my investment is an opportunity to join one of the best global esports organizations and to help bridge the gap between hockey fans and esports."

"I’m looking forward to working with the players and the front office to introduce the Toronto Ultra and Toronto Defiant to a young audience of traditional sport fans."

OverActive CEO Chris Overholt added ... "With roots in the city of Toronto, our entire organization is thrilled to welcome a hometown hero and hockey superstar like Mitch Marner to our investor family,"

"Mitch's authenticity within the Call of Duty scene and his interest in growing the esports industry will be such great additions to our fan base and to each of our franchises."

Somebody get Liam Neeson ... 'cause it's time to release the Kraken!!!

Seattle's new NHL team just revealed it's new name and look on Thursday ... officially going with the legendary sea monster.

FYI, a "kraken" is like a giant, angry octopus.

Other options were thrown around -- including the Sockeyes -- but the org. says it listened to the fans and gave them what they wanted.

"215,000 fan votes, 50+ fan forums & speaking engagements and over 12 months of social media listening have supported this phenomenon," the team said on the site.

The Kraken name pays homage to the city ... "Our maritime city with a proud history of adventure is deserving of a hockey club as untamed as the sea herself. The Kraken represents the fiercest beast in all the world," the team says.

It's also fitting because the largest octopus on planet Earth allegedly lives in nearby Puget Sound!!!

The Kraken also showed off its new threads ... and we gotta say, they look sharp.

The team's official colors are 4(!!) different shades of blue -- deep sea blue, ice blue, boundless blue and shadow blue -- and red alert.

Seattle has a rich history in hockey -- the Metropolitans were the first American team to win the Stanley Cup as part of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association ... but they folded way back in 1924.

The Kraken will be the first Seattle-based team in the NHL ... and fans are stoked to welcome in the new squad.

And, just for fun ...

Lindsey Vonn and P.K. Subban ain't the only world-class athletes in the household ... 'cause the Olympic gold medalist is training her pooch to be a swimmer!!

The 35-year-old ski star threw on a bikini and hit the pool at her L.A. home Monday with her beloved puppy, Bear ... and it's an equal dose of adorable and super hot.

"Back to training Bear for the Olympics," Vonn said on Instagram. "He’s making progress, look out (Michael Phelps) 🏊‍♂️ #doggiepaddle."

Lindsey's other dog, Lucy, wasn't feeling the workout -- and watched the two train from the safety of dry land (Hey, not all of us can be superstar athletes).

Vonn and Bear have been working on their aquatic training for months ... and let's be honest. Bear has made some serious progress!

We see you, dog!

Lindsey and P.K. have been training like maniacs since the beginning of the pandemic ... despite P.K.'s NJ Devils not making the cut for the NHL restart.

As we previously reported, the NHL only invited the top 24 of its 31 teams to participate, which is set to begin on July 28.

Lindsey officially retired from pro skiing back in 2019 -- leaving as one of the greatest of all time -- but she's obviously keeping herself in insane shape because she's a beast and gym is life!

Amazing day for Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom ... the 23-year-old has officially completed radiation treatment for cancer!!

The Swedish pro was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma -- a rare form of bone cancer -- back in December ... and has been fighting ever since.

Lindblom reached a milestone in his recovery on Thursday ... by ringing the bell at Abramson Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital to signify his treatment being complete!!

"I can’t even explain how I feel," Lindblom said. "It feels like having a birthday, Christmas, and all those holidays at the same time."

"It just feels awesome to be done. Can’t wait to get back to normal life again, start to feel like I’m living.

"Everything, from family to friends to fans, I can’t even explain how much it meant to me, especially in the start when it was a rough time, got all those kind words, it made me feel so much better and calm and it really helped, for sure."

Lindblom showed his appreciation to all the workers who took care of him during treatment ... gifting them with a signed jersey.

The NHL is releasing its COVID-19 numbers ... with the league reporting 26 out of roughly 250 players have tested positive for the virus since June 8.

The NHL allowed small groups of players to start training at their team facilities earlier this month as part of its Phase 2 of returning to action ... and says it has handed out more than 1,450 tests during that period.

"All players who have tested positive have been self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols," the NHL said Monday.

The news comes a week after the Tampa Bay Lightning had to shut down their facility after at least 3 players tested positive for COVID-19. The facility has since reopened.

"The NHL will continue to provide regular updates on the number of tests administered to Players and the results of those tests."

Former NHL player Daniel Carcillo -- a Stanley Cup winner -- claims he was terrorized and sexually hazed during his time in junior hockey ... and now, he's suing over it.

Carcillo, in a new lawsuit filed in Toronto, alleges that when he was in the Ontario Hockey League -- one of the 3 major leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League -- he was violently hazed on a daily basis.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, 35-year-old Carcillo says he was peed and spat on by veterans, smacked in the bare butt by a sawed-off goalie stick, and also forced to attend and participate in sex orgy parties.

And, those are some of the more tame allegations brought up against the OHL and CHL in the suit ...

Carcillo -- who played for the OHL's Sarnia Sting and Mississauga IceDogs before his NHL career began -- was joined by another plaintiff in the lawsuit, and together they claim they've seen terrifying hazing going down in all parts of the CHL.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs -- who say they represent a greater class of junior hockey league players as well -- say players were forced to masturbate in front of their teams as well as ordered to sexually assault teammates.

The plaintiffs also allege players had to consume others' saliva, semen, feces and other bodily fluids. They also say they know of players shoving brooms, hockey sticks and food into each others' anuses.

Carcillo claims all of the hazing he went through was unchecked by members of his teams' coaching staffs and front offices ... and even after investigations into the incidents, Carcillo says nothing was done.

In the lawsuit, Carcillo says the experiences left him "permanently traumatized" ... and is asking for damages from the CHL -- among other things.

Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has done a complete 180 on his stance against national anthem protests ... saying he now finally understands why players would choose to protest.

Remember, Tort was one of the most outspoken sports figures against any sort of anthem protest in 2016 ... telling ESPN, "If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game."

Now, the CBJ coach says he's had some time to listen to the reasons behind kneeling or sitting ... and he hopes it creates a conversation among his players.

"When I stand for the flag and the national anthem, my reflection is solely on the men and women who have given their lives defending our country and constitution and freedom, along with those who are serving today," Tortorella told The Athletic.

"I have learned over the years, listening and watching, that men and women who choose to kneel during this time mean no disrespect toward the flag."

Tortorella -- whose son, Nick, is an army ranger -- says he will no longer punish players for protesting ... and even suggests adding a moment before games so those in attendance can put a focus on racial injustice.

"I do believe in our right to peaceful protest," Tort continued. "Why do we have to choose sides during this time? Can we not share a moment of unity and reflection prior to the national anthem dedicated to protesting the racial injustice in our world?"

NHL superstar Evander Kane is teaming up with fellow pro Akim Aliu to put an end to racism in their sport ... announcing the "Hockey Diversity Alliance" on Monday.

Remember, Aliu -- who has been outspoken about his racist experiences as a black hockey player -- has been leading the charge for change.

Aliu previously called out coach Bill Peters for using the n-word and other top players who physically abused and taunted him due to the color of his skin.

Now, Aliu has formed a team of players to join him in his fight.

"As minorities who play professional hockey, we have come together to create the Hockey Diversity Alliance," the group said in a statement.

Joining Kane and Aliu on the executive committee are Trevor Daley of the Detroit Red Wings, Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild, Wayne Simmonds of the Buffalo Sabres, Chris Stewart of the AFL and recently retired player Joel Ward.

"Our mission is to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey," the statement says. "We will strive to be a force for positive change not only within the game of hockey, but also within society."

"Although we will be independent of the NHL, we are hopeful that we will work productively with the league to accomplish these important changes. We believe in the importance of accountability in developing inclusivity and diversity for all involved in our sport, including fans and the league office."

The HDA says it will use community outreach and engagement to make the game more accessible to the youth ... as well as teach the hockey community about racism issues in the sport.

"In creating our alliance, we are confident we can inspire a new generation of hockey players and fans."

The NHL is planning to come back in a BIG way ... so says commish Gary Bettman, who just announced the league is looking to return this summer with an insane 24-team playoff!!!

The 67-year-old just revealed the plans ... outlining hockey's steps to resume play after it suspended action back in March over the coronavirus pandemic.

Bettman says the league is working on finalizing details ... but right now, the plan is for the regular season to be ruled officially over -- with only the top-12 teams in each conference returning to action for postseason play this summer.

FYI, there are only 31 teams in the NHL -- so how bad would that suck to be one of the 7 teams that didn't make the cut?!

(California would get skunked BTW -- the L.A. Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks are the 3 worst teams in the West).

Training camps to prepare for the 24-team playoff would begin on July 1 under the new plan, Bettman says ... and the league is gunning to put all the action in two hub cities -- one in the East and one in the West.

Bettman stressed the league is taking all steps necessary to keep its players and staff healthy in a return to rinks, saying, "Ensuring health and safety has been central to all of our planning so far and will remain so."

Bettman says the top-4 teams in each conference will get automatic bids to the 1st-round of official playoff play ... and will face each other in round-robin games to determine seeding.

As for the other 8 teams in the conference, Bettman says they'll square off in head-to-head series to determine which 4 will move on to face the top 4 seeds.

Akim Aliu says ex-NHL player Steve Downie is a "racist sociopath" who "made my life a living hell" during their junior hockey days ... and the allegations are shocking.

Aliu -- who is black -- spelled out the whole thing in a strongly worded op-ed for The Player's Tribune ... detailing several alleged incidents of abuse at the hands of Downie.

FYI, 33-year-old Downie was a 1st round NHL Draft pick in 2005 -- and played 9 seasons in the league.

But, Aliu says before he got to the big stage, Downie terrorized him while both players were members of the Windsor Spitfires, a team in the OHL -- the best junior league in Canada.

"First couple of practices he put Tiger Balm in my jock," Aliu says ... "Then he took my gear outside and threw it on the roof."

"And then he began to belittle me in front of my teammates, the coaches, whoever would listen to him. He’d make fun of my clothes, the way I spoke."

"He was two years older than me and a rising star, and he wielded his power over me like I was nothing -- like I was subhuman."

Aliu also says Downie and other teammates tried to strip him naked on the back of the team bus with other rookies as part of a hazing ritual ... but Akim refused.

Because he refused, Akim says Downie "shoved his fiberglass stick through my mouth."

"I lost seven teeth in half a second. Blood gushing down."

Akim says he felt forced to drop his gloves and fight Downie in an effort to save face in front of his teammates.

Akim goes directly at Downie in the article -- saying, "I went through hell at the hands of a racist sociopath."

"His name’s Steve Downie."

"I don’t really give a crap what he thinks about the way I just described him. I’d say it to his face today."

"He had nothing but hate in his heart back then. He looked at me and saw a black boy with a weird accent -- and didn’t like me because of it. I was attacked because of the color of my skin. I knew it then. And I know it even more now."

31-year-old Aliu has previously made headlines for exposing several horrible racist incidents he was forced to deal with on his journey through the hockey ranks .... including blackface costumes and n-word rants by team officials including former Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters.

We've made repeated efforts to contact Downie for his side of the story -- reaching out his former agent, calling numbers connected to him and even trying to contact him through social media.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says pro sports could re-open in California by June 1 ... but there's a serious catch.

The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more would all be impacted since every major sport in the state (besides horse racing) is shut down at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But, Newsom offered a real glimmer of hope on Monday.

"Sporting events, pro sports, in that first week or so of June WITHOUT SPECTATORS and modifications and very prescriptive conditions also can begin to move forward,” Newsom said.

The key, Newsom says, is the trend lines in California must continue to hold steady showing a decrease in people testing positive.

If not, the plans could change.

In other words, everybody keep your masks on, keep your distance and don't mess this up!!!

The announcement comes days after the NBA asked players whether they wanted to return to the 2020 season after suspending play back in March.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been outspoken about continuing the season ... saying "As soon as it’s safe we would like to finish our season. I’m ready and our team is ready. Nobody should be canceling anything."

The New Jersey Devils are doing something angelic for the heroes fighting the coronavirus ... by donating 10,000 game tickets for the frontline employees working non-stop to help the community.

The team announced the gesture Wednesday ... saying the big haul of tix will go toward RWJBarnabas healthcare workers who have been battling in hospitals and other facilities in New Jersey over the past few weeks.

"Each passing day we are filled with more gratitude for frontline healthcare workers who continue to dedicate themselves to help the residents of New Jersey," Devils President Jake Reynolds said in a statement.

The move adds to the Devils' continued generosity throughout the pandemic ... the team also sent 7,000 pairs of gloves, 10,000 hand sanitizer units and soap, sprays, wipes, and other cleaning supplies to the NJ health system earlier this spring.

On top of that ... Devils co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer have made several 6-figure donations to help the city of Newark feed those in the community during the pandemic.

Pro hockey player Akim Aliu is taking the high road with his old coach, Bill Peters ... saying the man deserves his new opportunity to work, despite the racist remarks he made more than 10 years ago.

Remember, Aliu opened up this past November and claimed Peters "dropped the N-bomb several times" toward him during his rookie year with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2008-09 season.

The NHL opened an investigation into the accusations and Peters quickly resigned from his then-gig with the Calgary Flames.

Now, Peters has found new work with the Kontinental Hockey League Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg ... a move that Aliu is surprisingly okay with.

"Only with the past behind us can we focus on the future," Aliu said in a statement.

"Hockey is for all. I believe in second chances for everyone, that we can all find forgiveness in our heart and that real positive change is coming if we continue to push forward together."

"I don’t resent a man for finding work," Aliu said. "But I will fight to make sure those same opportunities are available to everyone, on and off the ice, regardless of race or ethnicity."

It's a powerful statement from Aliu ... who's made it his goal to help minorities feel more welcome in the sport.

As for Peters, he said he's learned from his mistakes, saying, "I think as times goes on, we all grow and improve and become better versions of ourselves."

Hockey fan?! Ridiculously rich?! Listen up if you wanna own a piece of sports history, 'cause a 170-year-old hockey stick -- estimated to be worth MILLIONS -- just hit the auction block.

The stick -- one of the first-ever made -- is believed to be from the time period between 1850 and 1870 ... as the game of hockey was being invented.

Here's the deal ... in 1980, a couple -- Gary and Germaine Morse -- discovered the one-of-a-kind stick sitting in the closet of a Vermont home they recently purchased.

The Morse's had no idea what the stick was worth ... so they had it assessed.

The value, according to the expert fine art appraiser?

3.5 MILLION DOLLARS!!

Shockingly, they held on to the stick for 40 years -- until recently deciding to cash out -- going to Goldin Auctions and asking them to unload the piece.

We know, sounds like a helluva lot of money for a very old piece of wood ... but 100+-year-old sticks have a track record of selling for a fortune.

The "Rutherford Stick" -- also believed to be from the 1850s -- reportedly sold for $2.2 million in the mid-2000s.

Question is, what will a similarly old and rare stick go for at auction?

We'll know soon ... bidding kicks off on Friday.