Concert Review: Molly Grace at Sonia, Cambridge, MA, June 11 By Nina Kremer | July 19, 2026 Molly Grace said she doesn’t only want to be a pop star — although one might argue she already is — she told fans on the Boston stop of her six-night tour that she wants to be a “mega-church pastor.” And that night at her Pride month party, “Lovergirls: A Sapphic Soirée,” the diva proved to the audience that she has what it takes. Her particular blend of pop, funk and disco is reminiscent of lesbian pop icons Reneé Rapp and Chappell Roan, but Grace stands out from the others in her dynamic, highly choreographed performance style along with playfully cheeky lyrics. Grace fittingly opened the show with “Lemme,” the first song off of her debut album, “Blush” using her introductory song to introduce herself to that night’s crowd. Though it seemed Grace truly needed no introduction as she said during the show that she recognized many familiar faces in the audience. When asked how many people had been to a show of hers previously, an uproar ensued, reflecting a majority of the crowd were dedicated fans, though that wasn’t the only reason why Grace may have known some of them. She grew up only a few miles away from the venue, Sonia’s, in Lexington Massachusetts and shared a sweet moment with her family calling out her mother and sister in the audience. “It’s good to be home,” Grace said before encouraging the crowd to dance. Grace and her "Lovergirls," McKenna Hall and Bella Azadouhie Melius, led the charge with perfectly synchronized choreography. The Lovergirls matched Grace’s fabulosity, though never upstaging the pop diva, with their harmonies and energetic back up dancing. Before the girls came out, the stage looked noticeably devoid of any set or color, a surprise for a show marketed as a pride party, but it became immediately clear why as soon as Molly and the Lovergirls graced the stage — they needed every inch of the surface area to dance the night away. The three commanded not only the stage but the entire room, making it clear they needed no set to set the mood; they are the show. In their sequined outfits under hot pink lighting, the disco ball in the middle of the room had major competition. Grace did lots of crowd work throughout the show, engaging with the audience and spinning around a few fans in the front row, displaying a clear connection with her listeners. Grace then transitioned into “Mad at Her Forever” singing the lyrics “What’s a lady to do, can’t think straight” in an impressively high yet sustained manner. The crowd obeyed her earlier command, dancing along with the Lovergirls. She kept the energy up with “Do Me (Feels So Good)” singing “Ladies please report for duty” while the Lovergirls obediently saluted, ready for the task at hand. “Pride month is my favorite month,” Grace said between songs, explaining that she wanted to embark on the mini tour despite not having new music out since March in order to create a space where she could both celebrate and try out new songs. She partnered with The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth at the show, a nonprofit organization that supports LGBTQ+ youth in Massachusetts through their programs and services. She also said she did some “Instagram stalking” in order to find a local DJ to open for her and landed on Christina The Saint, who played a set before the show. Grace spread the love, encouraging fans to support Christina by going to her future shows. Graciously letting the Lovergirls take center stage for a cover of “Telephone” by Lady Gaga, the song was a highlight of the night. The performance seemed just as practiced as the originals without feeling too rehearsed, as the three of them took turns singing as if they were just a couple of friends at karaoke. The chemistry between them was evident; they encouraged each other to take a moment in the spotlight. Once again Grace showcased her vocal talent in her performance of “Soprano,” evidenced by her impressive breath control allowing her to sustain a powerful belt while grooving to the beat. She then slowed the set down with “Say when,” telling the audience to grab their girls and sway along to the tender ballad. Another highlight of the night came towards the end of the set with “Heaven sent.” There’s a depth and resounding quality to her voice, as well as an active energy present in the live performance that’s sadly lost when streaming her songs. Ending with the Lovergirls girls doing prayer hands, Grace proved her mega pastor prowess in the upbeat, cheeky song. As promised, Grace debuted a new song towards the end of the show called “Line Dancing in L.A.” Grace explained that the concept was inspired by her recent move from Nashville to Los Angeles. Though she lived in Tennessee for five years, she said she only discovered the joys of the dance style many miles away on the West coast. The song was reminiscent of Chappell Roan’s most recent foray into country, “The Giver,” but Grace’s version of a pop, country mash up was a fresh take on the genre-bending trend as she sang, “Everyone’s hot and everyone’s gay,” and “What kind of trouble are you?” Grace closed out the show with “F.E.M.M.E,” one of her most popular songs with over 3 million streams on Spotify. There was no song more fitting to end the prideful night, as Grace played the audience out to the tune of her spelled-out version of the acronym, “Fabulous, enticing, magnetic, magical, everything.” Grace brought the sparkling ferocity that defines her music to the stage and left it all there.

By Sydney Cristall | July 15 2026 Photo Credit: Gotham FC (NEW YORK, N.Y.) — It was a historic night at Citi Field. A record crowd of 42,175 fans filled one of New York's most iconic sports venues for the first women's sporting event in the ballpark's history, setting a New York City record for a women's sporting event. Fans came to watch Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit renew one of the National Women's Soccer League's fiercest rivalries in a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Championship game. By the end of the night, the Queen's Classic had become more than a showcase event. Gotham's 1-0 win served as a visible marker of the NWSL's commercial growth, the rising demand for women's sports in premier venues, and the league's expanding place in New York's sports landscape. From the ceremonial torch lighting to the final whistle, the evening carried a sense of arrival. Women's soccer was not asking to be seen; it was taking its place on one of the city's biggest stages and filling it. That significance was not lost on the players. Rose Lavelle understood the moment before kickoff. "Any time you hear you're going to get to play in front of 42,000 fans, I think it's always really exciting," Lavelle said. "We feed off the fans' energy, so knowing this was going to be a really exciting home game, but also a big moment in history for this club and for the league, just added another special element going out there. We feel so much pride getting to represent this club." For Lavelle, the Queen's Classic was never meant to stand alone. "For us to be able to have this moment was really special," she said. "Hopefully, we can just keep building off of this." The energy inside Citi Field reflected that ambition. Gotham supporters filled the stadium with chants, every save from Ann-Katrin Berger drew a roar, and Sam Kerr's entrance for her Gotham debut and first NWSL appearance since 2019 produced one of the loudest reactions of the night. Photo Credit: Gotham FC For years, women's soccer in the United States reached its highest visibility during the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games. The NWSL is working to turn that periodic attention into something sustained, scalable, and locally rooted. Commissioner Jessica Berman framed the Queen's Classic as the product of long-term investment rather than a one-night success. "We know that with investment, if you build it, they will come, and this is a proof point for that," Berman said. "My favourite thing about tonight is that it isn't transactional. It's not a one-and-done. It's the beginning of a new relationship for this team in Queens." That growth extends beyond a single attendance figure. Beginning in 2028, Gotham FC will move to Etihad Park in Queens, a 25,000-seat, $780 million venue that will become New York City's first soccer-specific stadium and give Gotham dedicated club spaces within a purpose-built home. Just a week after that announcement, more than 42,000 fans turned out for the club at Citi Field. The timing made the night feel less like a celebration of what Gotham FC already is and more like a preview of what it could become. The match itself delivered. Lavelle scored the lone goal in the first half, and Berger preserved the clean sheet as Trinity Rodman and the Spirit created dangerous moments throughout the night. Rodman said the league's progress is visible on the field as much as in the stands. "I think it's amazing, and it's showing that the league's getting better and it's growing, and there's just more attention," Rodman said. "As the years go on, you're realizing that the league's not transitional anymore. We're playing soccer in different ways. All the teams are bringing so many different versions of the game." Kerr's return added another layer to the occasion. When she stepped onto the field in the 64th minute, the ovation underscored both her star power and the league's increasing ability to attract elite global talent. Photo Credit: Gotham FC Berman connected Kerr's arrival to a broader shift in league ambition. "Having players like that who could have chosen to go anywhere make the decision to come here is a really important proof point for all the investment, the hundreds of millions of dollars that are being invested across this league to make sure that we're the best league in the world," Berman said. Kerr's move also reflects Gotham's competitive vision. Alongside players such as Ann-Katrin Berger and Jess Carter, her arrival reinforces the club's status as a destination for world-class talent and highlights the NWSL's growing international pull. Photo Credit: Gotham FC For Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, the occasion reached beyond the standings. "I think tonight was definitely a page in the history of the club, of New York City, women's sports and this country," Amorós said. "The team really stepped up to the occasion ... to make sure the people who came to the stadium had a day to remember." He also placed the night within the club's larger trajectory. "Gotham is growing at a level that when I came here, I was dreaming of, and today I think it was truly special." Few players have seen that growth more closely than Mandy Freeman, who has spent her entire professional career with the organization through its Sky Blue FC era and its transformation into Gotham FC. "It was an amazing feeling," Freeman said. "It's hard to really describe it. Being able to play in front of all those fans and having them really be the 12th player for us ... It was a crazy environment." Her perspective made clear that this was not an isolated milestone but the latest step in a longer transformation. What happened at Citi Field extended beyond a single rivalry or a single result. The NWSL has built not only a competitive league but also a broader commercial ecosystem shaped by media attention, corporate sponsorship, star talent, and growing fan investment. Photo Credit: Gotham FC Citi Field has hosted major baseball moments, international soccer, and some of New York's largest sporting events. On this night, it became a stage for demonstrating not whether women's soccer belongs there, but how large its future can be in the city. That future is already taking form. Gotham will eventually make Queens its permanent home at Etihad Park, and the response to the Queen's Classic offered an early indication of what that next chapter could look like. As Berman put it: "To have a team competing in New York City proper, I think, puts us on the map in a very different way." The Queen's Classic did not create the momentum around Gotham FC or the NWSL. It revealed how far that momentum has already carried them. Under the lights at Citi Field, the message was unmistakable: women's soccer in New York is no longer building toward relevance. It has arrived

Interview by Brylea Smith | July 15 2026 Long before she ever stepped onto a professional sideline, Kendall Smith was already preparing for the spotlight. As a child, she would spend countless hours at home using her family's video camera to record her own personal SportsCenter recaps, clutching the toy ESPN microphone she had desperately wanted. While her peers were simply watching sports for fun, Smith was busy envisioning her future career in front of the lens. Today, that childhood dream has become her daily reality. Smith has built a career as a team reporter and host for the Charlotte Knights and Charlotte Checkers, covering everything from player interviews and pregame shows to major-league call-ups and championship hockey. But her path to professional sports broadcasting began years before she ever stepped in front of a television camera. Growing up, sports were always a part of her life. Instead of her family gathering around the TV to watch the newest TV show, they watched that night’s sporting event. But that wasn’t enough for Smith. She wanted to dive deep into the games and break down top plays. “My brother would finish his Little League games, and I would be asking him so many questions,” she said. Her most prized possession came to her at 10-years-old: her toy ESPN mic. Back then, she would interview anyone she could get her hands on, making her own talk show. It’s one of the only toys she still has today. At 15-years-old, she got her first taste of working in sports. Her brother played baseball for their high school team, which found itself needing a public address announcer. Smith had never done anything like this yet, and although she was typically confident, she didn’t know if she could do it. With the support of her family and her father guiding her through the first game, it became the start of building a serious career. Through this, she would meet Jim Morrison of Carolina Sports Network. She completed an internship with Morrison, where she gained hands-on experience covering sporting events throughout the Charlotte area. This included the Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Knights, college football and college basketball. “That internship was life-changing in so many ways,” Smith said. “I was covering NBA games at 17 years old, and just being around high-profile athletes like that at such a young age, it made me realize the etiquette, the way you have to act, how you have to carry yourself.” The experience also taught her one of the most important lessons in sports journalism. “At that point, you're not cheering for teams anymore; you are unbiased,” Smith said. “You have to be completely focused on the job that you're doing, so that internship helped me to just realize how things worked.” After graduating from high school, she attended the University of South Carolina, where she majored in broadcast journalism with a concentration in sports media. Wanting to keep the momentum from her high school experiences, she joined the student TV station, Student Gamecock Television. By her sophomore year, she became station manager, making her the youngest in the organization’s history. During her time, she managed more than 125 students, many of whom were older than her. Learning how to balance different personalities and perspectives while also elevating the station became one of her biggest challenges. “I had to learn how to cater to as many people as I possibly could, while still trying to elevate the station," Smith said. "The goal is for everyone to get better while also putting out a great product." The experience pushed her to grow as both a leader and a communicator, skills she still uses every day. COVID struck during the second half of her freshman year, eliminating the chance for a normal semester of college. In order to keep herself connected with the world of sports, she started a podcast. Smith interviewed other people who worked in the sports broadcasting industry. Those conversations not only helped her continue developing her skills but also helped her build relationships she still maintains today. One of her interviewees was Wes Mitchell, who worked for Gamecock Central. He ended up offering her a job covering South Carolina sports, with a primary focus on football and recruiting. She ended up spending her junior and senior years in college traveling across the Southeastern Conference to cover South Carolina football. Around the same time, Smith set a goal for herself: to work for the Charlotte Knights. The summer before her senior year, that became a reality. She was given the opportunity to intern with the communications department, where she was able to dip her toes into player interviews. While working with the team, another unexpected opportunity emerged. That summer, she was approached by Charlotte Checkers' Director of Creative Services, Zac Harvey, who asked if she would be interested in auditioning to be their host. Her answer was yes. Soon, Smith was juggling many roles. In her senior year of college, she accepted a full-time position as the Knights’ team reporter and host, along with stepping in as the host for the Checkers. The route from Charlotte to Columbia quickly became second nature to her. However, putting that much effort into work came with a cost. Smith’s senior year of college looked different than most others. So much time was spent driving or working in another city that she missed out on some of the memories that make a senior year special. “It was different, because not any of my friends were in the same position, so I did feel at times I was missing things, but they were also supportive of me,” Smith said. “It was not a traditional final semester of college, but it was worth it, and I look back on it, and I'm glad that I did exactly what I did.” After graduation, Smith remained with both organizations and continued expanding her broadcasting portfolio. In addition to her responsibilities with the Knights and Checkers, she began working as a sideline reporter for college athletics and conference broadcasts, including coverage for the American Conference. As she settled into her role with the Checkers, she wanted to bring a part of her childhood into her reporting to make it more distinctive. For years, she was also a competitive figure skater, spending countless mornings at ice rinks perfecting her skills. "We've all been up at 5 a.m. at a cold ice rink in the middle of winter to chase our dreams," Smith said. Smith made a difficult choice to not pursue skating further because she wanted to attend college. Still, the sport was such an important part of her life that she knew she could never leave it behind. To intertwine her past with her present, Smith asked if she could skate with the players during interviews to make the interviews more personal. Her background in figure skating also allows her to analyze the game from a technical standpoint. "I'm watching things that people might not pick up on," Smith said. "How are they generating speed? What edges are they using? There are a lot more similarities between hockey and figure skating than people realize." That shared experience has become another way for her to connect with athletes and better explain the game to viewers. One of the biggest moments of her career came in 2025 when she made her national television debut on the NHL Network during the Calder Cup Finals. "In the moment, I tried not to think about it as myself on national TV, because I didn't want to be nervous," Smith said. "I just wanted to think about it as another game, even though it wasn't." Only after the broadcast ended did the significance of the moment truly sink in. "I saw the texts, I saw the videos, I saw that people were tuning in from across the country," Smith said. "It was just this huge wave of gratitude, of joy, of happiness. I was just so proud at that moment, and I thought back to all those young versions of myself that wanted so badly to do this as a job.” While she hopes for more national television opportunities in her future, she remains focused on appreciating the ones she already has. “At the end of the day, comparison is the thief of joy,” Smith stated. “Nobody's path is the same as yours, so I'm just going to continue to be grateful for what I have, and know that hopefully my time will come. But right now I am in a great spot, an awesome situation, and whatever opportunities come my way next, I know it's all part of God's plan.” As she continues on in the chaos that sports bring, two things keep her grounded: her family and her faith. Even when it's sometimes hard to believe in herself, her family does. They are always there to keep her grounded through the highs and lows. Those supporters, combined with knowing that God has a plan for her, allow her to brave the storm. While she’s been working in sports in some capacity for almost a decade, she doesn’t take for granted the opportunity to do what she loves. “There are so many times where I sit there, and I'm like, “Wow, I can't believe this is my job. This is so awesome. This is so cool.’” Smith said. “I encourage anyone out there who's doing this job, when you have that pinch-me moment, to really embrace it, because those pinch-me moments are what make this all worthwhile.” Although professional broadcast gear has long since replaced the toy ESPN microphone from her childhood home, the feeling remains exactly the same for Smith. Every interview, broadcast, and pinch-me moment serves as a vivid reminder of the dream she first imagined as a 10-year-old girl delivering SportsCenter recaps from her family's living room. Today, Smith no longer needs to pretend to be on television. Through years of hard work and a deep passion for storytelling, the dream that began in her living room has fully transitioned into reality. Disclaimer: The thoughts, experiences, and opinions shared in this article are solely those of Kendall Smith and are based on her personal journey. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations, sponsors, or institutions with which Kendall may be associated. To ensure accuracy and maintain context, Kendall Smith reviewed this article before publication. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this material is strictly prohibited. For any inquiries or concerns regarding this article, please contact info@hazzemedia.com

by Victoria Befumo | July 14 2o26 Credit: New York Sirens & PWHL (NEW YORK, N.Y., JULY 14, 2026) The New York Sirens held an in-person media availability Tuesday, July 14, 2026 highlighting both Pascal Daoust, New York Sirens General Manager and Emma Peschel, New York Sirens seventh overall pick at the 2026 PWHL Draft. “Of course, you know, being drafted in the PWHL is a tremendous accomplishment. We're not here just to talk about the first round pick from New York. We're here to talk about more than the player. We're here to introduce you to the person that Emma Peschel is,” Daoust said. “We had, through the draft process, the opportunity to know her. Watching her play, you know, we knew about her skills or about her talent, about her competitiveness,” he continued. Daoust praised not only Peschel's athletic ability, but also her strong character. “We can tell you that it's fully aligning with New York Sirens values.” Daoust continued on to say, “She is an amazing leader, mature. She can compete, as I said, but she also takes care of people around herself. You know, Emma, from the first day at the draft, it was your first step as a PWHL player, a New York sirens member, family member.” “Today, it's another step that we're more than excited to take with you. We look forward to seeing you wear that jersey, your very own one,” Daoust said to Peschel. Peschel described her feelings about being drafted to the Sirens. “Hearing your name, being announced and drafted is a dream come true, and especially for it to be from New York, such a prestigious city, just somewhere that's really building a really strong legacy. I'm really excited to be a part of it, and I can't wait to get started in New York. It's been a while since I've been here, so I'm excited to be back and looking forward to this week,” she said. When asked about if she had a chance to meet any of her teammates or look over the roster and how she feels she’s going to fit into the squad this coming season, she answered, “... I know a few of the girls, especially Casey O'Brien, Elle Hartje, they were at the draft. It was nice to be able to talk to them afterwards and kind of hear how their experiences have been so far. There's also some former Buckeyes that are there as well with Paetyn Levis, Lauren Bernard and then Clair DeGeorge as well. I just saw Paetyn Levis the other week at a camp in Minnesota, so I was able to have a chat with her about where to live and that whole kind of situation and kind of get her experience as well. But, I mean, I'm really excited to join the D-Core, I think, playing with Micah Zandee-Hart, Jaime Bourbonnais, Maja Nylén Persson, it'll be an amazing squad to be a part of and something to jump into and really just hopefully make an impact right away, and I'm excited to be able to play with all of them.” The Sirens are set to begin their preseason later this fall, with Peschel bringing her skills and vibrant energy to the team.

Gallery by Grace Kelley | July 12 2026 NASCAR at ECHOPARK by Grace Kelley Ryan Blaney dominated 171 out of the 263 laps at EchoPark, crossing the finish line just before 2:00 AM. The win marked the 750th for Ford Racing, the last six earned by Blaney. These photos are owned by Hazze Media and NASCAR. They may not be redistributed, sold, or used for commercial purposes without explicit permission.

By Ava Heaton | July 13 2026 Ducks forward Leo Carlsson celebrates after scoring during a playoff game against the Edmonton Oilers on April 30. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images) The opening of NHL free agency on July 1 is always circled in red on every hockey player, team, and fan’s calendar. The frantic pace of the 2026 free-agent cycle has caught some front offices off guard and left fans’ heads swirling as they try to figure out who is signing where. This offseason, general managers immediately went to work, using nearly all the team’s salary cap space, orchestrating jaw-dropping trades, and solidifying contract extensions. From massive goaltending shakeups to blockbuster offer-sheet drama, the league's landscape and the foundations of several teams have shifted completely. The Sharks are signing… everyone? Mike Grier, San Jose Sharks GM When free agency opened, General Manager Mike Grier and the San Jose Sharks were quick to weaponize their extensive salary cap space to reconstruct their roster. The team, clearly aiming to infuse the lineup with size, physicality, and leadership to support rising stars like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, completely remade its blue line with ease. The Sharks landed a key physical defenseman in Jacob Trouba, signed to a huge four-year, $33 million contract after his two seasons with another Californian team: the Anaheim Ducks. Grier also pulled off a major trade with the Edmonton Oilers to acquire blue-liner Darnell Nurse. It wasn’t just improvements on the defensive end for the Sharks though. Perhaps the team’s biggest addition was high-end winger Mason Marchment, signed to a five-year, $33.75 million contract. Plus, in net the team welcomed goaltender Eric Comrie on a two-year deal to help in the crease. By committing to established veterans, the Sharks sent a clear message that they are ready to start competing and move past the first stage in their rebuild. The Flyers steal the headlines, but the Ducks stand their ground. One of the biggest storylines of the offseason erupted on July 3, when Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Danny Briere shocked everyone by tendering a jaw-dropping five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks franchise center Leo Carlsson. The deal carried an average annual value (AAV) of $18 million, instantly making the 21-year-old the highest-paid player in NHL history by AAV and threatening to cost the Flyers four consecutive first-round draft picks. Facing a tight one-week deadline to match the offer or let Carlsson walk away, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek chose not to lose out on his rising star, officially matching the offer sheet on July 9. While the move keeps the young star in Anaheim through the 2030-31 season, the dramatic saga forced the Ducks to accept a much higher price tag than initial negotiations signaled, completely altering the team’s future contracts and the landscape for other young stars around the league. Toronto finds its anchor Sergei Bobrovsky, Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / Getty The Toronto Maple Leafs made the biggest splash of the goaltending market right away on July 1 by signing Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year, $21 million contract. After capturing back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025, the 37-year-old veteran hit the market following a down season where his regular-season numbers dipped to an .877 save percentage. Recognizing the need for a steady, proven anchor to solve the playoff woes, newly appointed General Manager John Chayka cleared the crease by moving Joseph Woll to accommodate the two-time Vezina Trophy winner. While committing $7 million annually to a 37-year-old aging goaltender has been fairly criticized and carries some financial risk, the Leafs are banking heavily on Bobrovsky’s championship mindset to solidify the team’s window. Montreal locks down the future Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) during his historic NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks.David Kirouac-Imagn Images The Montreal Canadiens solidified the foundation of their future core right away by locking up elite forward Ivan Demidov to a massive eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension. Coming off a spectacular rookie season where he led all NHL rookies with 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) and finished second in Calder Trophy voting, the 20-year-old winger proved instrumental in guiding Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final. The extension, which kicks in for the 2027-28 season and carries a $9.15 million AAV, features a heavily front-loaded structure with $57.6 million in signing bonuses. Demidov’s commitment to the franchise highlights the strong, winning culture that is being built in Montreal, securing the Habs a true top-six game-changer for nearly a decade. The Rangers defensive facelift Once free agency opened, New York Rangers General Manager Chris Drury was quick to reconstruct his team’s blue line and overall roster depth, completely reshaping the identity of the team in a matter of hours. The reshaping became really clear when the Rangers traded veteran center and fan-favorite Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth. While losing Trocheck left a temporary hole down the middle, the return was worth it to Drury, gaining the team a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman in Sean Durzi. Then the team pivoted to balance the defensive pairs, flipping defenseman Will Borgen to the Boston Bruins and quickly replacing him by acquiring steady Swedish defender Marcus Pettersson to provide reliable, shutdown minutes. New York also managed to solidify their net by acquiring veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from Boston to back up Igor Shesterkin, ensuring the Blueshirts emerged from the free agency frenzy with a more financially flexible and significantly upgraded defensive group. Chris Drury, photo: NHLPA The sheer volume of high-profile player movement proves that the modern NHL cap era rewards boldness. Teams like San Jose and Chicago are aggressively pulling themselves out of rebuilding phases, while traditional heavyweights like Toronto and the New York Rangers are shuffling their lineups to get over the postseason hump. With offer sheets being signed, franchise icons changing jerseys, and goaltending carousels spinning faster than ever, the first few days of July have guaranteed that the upcoming NHL season will be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Disclaimer: The views, analysis, and opinions expressed in this op-ed are of the writer. All information is for commentary and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, professional, or investment advice. References to third-party sources and public figures are made for illustrative purposes and do not imply endorsement or verification by HAZZE MEDIA.

Gallery by So Kim | July 11 2026 AFC TORONTO VS OTTAWA RAPID CITY BY SO KIM Toronto's unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday afternoon after a 2-1 defeat to Ottawa Rapid FC at York Lions Stadium. AFC TORONTO VS OTTAWA RAPID CITY BY SO KIM

Gallery by Lauren Henwood | July 10 2026 Utah Royals FC vs Gotham FC July 10th by Lauren Henwood The Utah Royals FC returned home for the first time since May 17 but fell 3-1 to Gotham FC on Princess Night at America First Field on Friday, July 10. Cece Delzer scored the Royals' lone goal to give Utah an early lead before Gotham responded with two first-half goals and added another after the break to secure the victory. Utah Royals FC vs Gotham FC July 10th by Lauren Henwood These photos are owned by Hazze Media and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). They may not be redistributed, sold, or used for commercial purposes without explicit permission.

Gallery by Brock Burgan | July 6th 2026 Texas Live- FIFA Watch Parties for Round of 16 by Brock Burgan Thousands of soccer fans from around the world packed Texas Live on Monday, July 6, 2026, to watch a pair of FIFA World Cup knockout matches. Spain advanced with a 1-0 victory over Portugal on Mikel Merino's stoppage-time goal, while Belgium eliminated the United States men's national team with a 4-1 win, ending the tournament for the final host nation. Beyond the results, the atmosphere inside Texas Live stole the show. Supporters of Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the United States filled the venue, creating a lively scene throughout the day. Spain fans erupted after Merino's late winner, celebrating with chants and photos as the match ended. Before the second game, U.S. supporters generated an electric atmosphere with loud cheers, patriotic chants and themed outfits, turning one of Texas' largest sports bars into a World Cup celebration despite the eventual defeat.

Gallery by Isatuu Lamarana | July 5 2026 Toronto Maple Leafs vs London Majors by Isatuu Lamarana The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the London Majors, 11-8, on Sunday afternoon at Dominico Field, using a late offensive surge to take a back-and-forth Canadian Baseball League matchup. Toronto Maple Leafs vs London Majors by Isatuu Lamarana

Interview by Holly Arend | July 6 2026 Photo by Martina Tamesis Clarabelle Knyzhov left Silicon Valley expecting one kind of future and found a much wider one. Raised first-generation in a home shaped by memory, sacrifice and survival, she grew up learning that the world outside could reward ambition, but the world inside her family gave that ambition meaning. “Home gave everything context,” she said. That became especially clear at the dinner table, where she heard stories about her great-aunt escaping war-torn Vietnam by boat with little more than the clothes on her back. It was the kind of story that did not just explain where she came from. It changed how she understood what it meant to have opportunities at all. Outside the home, the language was progressing. People built, pitched, optimized and moved quickly toward whatever came next. Inside the home, the future felt less abstract. It was something people had crossed oceans for. Clarabelle and her brother and grandparents newly immigrated from Vietnam That contrast shaped how she saw identity early on. “I see it as being given two forms of sight,” she said, describing what it meant to grow up between cultures. One side of that vision looked forward, toward what could be built. The other looked back, toward the cost of getting there. Even as a child, that perspective made her pay attention to the quiet ways people sorted themselves. She noticed who gravitated toward whom, who felt familiar and who seemed to explain themselves more than others. But she also noticed something else: how often belonging could be created through something as simple as space. A pickup soccer game at recess became one of her first leadership lessons. It was not about status or background. It was about who passed, who made room and who noticed the kid standing at the edge waiting to be chosen. “I think I understood, even then, that someone had to step up and create the opening,” she said. That instinct to observe people and close distance followed her into every environment she entered later. Some were easier to read than others. Some asked her to adapt quickly, to listen before speaking and to understand the culture of a place before trying to change it. When life shifted, she learned that the future she had imagined most clearly was not always the one life would ask her to live. That realization was not dramatic. It came slowly, through experience, through change and through the recognition that effort and control are not the same thing. “The goal was still to lead,” she said, “but the method was the part that had to change.” That idea became a turning point. Instead of holding on to one fixed version of success, she began to understand purpose as something that could remain steady even when the route changed. Leadership, for her, became less about a title and more about how she moved through uncertainty. That perspective made public affairs feel natural. It was not just about messaging or outreach. It was about people, and about helping others understand one another better. “What surprised me most about public affairs was how naturally it aligned with the things I had always cared about,” she said. “The challenge is often not a lack of information. It is a lack of understanding.” Clara Cott and Clarabelle at Vancouver Fashion Week captured by Diego Malig That lesson stayed with her in communications. Storytelling, she learned, is powerful because the details people carry quietly are often the details that explain them best. Ask the right questions, and roles and labels start to fall away. What remains is the person underneath. Modeling brought out another part of that same growth. It entered her life almost by accident, after a friend encouraged her to try it. Her first reaction was excitement. She likes stepping into environments she does not fully understand and learning them from the inside. It also gave her something deeply personal. For much of her life, she had been trained to value strength in practical ways, through discipline, endurance, toughness and usefulness. Those qualities mattered to her, but they did not always leave room for femininity as something worth exploring. Modeling changed that. It gave her a space to develop confidence in a different register, one tied to expression, softness and presence. It reminded her that she was not limited to the version of herself that had been built for achievement. There were other parts of her, quieter and more expressive, that deserved room too. Photo of her and Nikolai Couple photo by Martina Tamesis That same openness shaped her personal life. She met her husband, Nikolai, on Hinge while he was playing in San Jose. Within two days, she took him to meet her family. Nine months later, they were married. Their relationship became another test of adaptability, this time in daily life. He embraced who she was, and she learned to embrace the version of partnership that came with his world as well. For one summer, he even moved to Florida while she was still active in the Navy, cooking dinner and living alongside her in her world. That experience gave him a closer look at what her life had been like and gave her a deeper sense of how support can look when it is lived, not just discussed. Later, that instinct to adapt carried into hockey. In Abbotsford, she began to see the sport not just through the players, but through the ecosystem around them. Staff, families, partners, media, trainers and volunteers all helped make the season feel whole. She made a point of connecting with people outside the obvious circles, too. Ushers, parking staff and other behind-the-scenes workers were not background noise to her. They were part of the rhythm of game day. They knew the fans, the families and the details that made the arena feel like home. That attention taught her something important about community. An organization’s culture is often revealed in how it treats the people who hold it together quietly. In a sport like hockey, where families can easily stay within the circle that feels most familiar, she saw the value of widening that circle. Abbotsford partners and Clarabelle That instinct also led her to Cyrus Centre, where she wanted to put her energy into something meaningful. Service has always mattered to her, and the organization’s work supporting young people in need of stability resonated deeply. The relationship started simply. She reached out. Over time, it grew into something more. Others joined in. They helped with meal trains, hosted a fundraiser and had a booth at one of the games. She said it was an honor to support the work and that she was humbled to be trusted as part of it. Across all of these chapters, the most consistent part of Knyzhov’s story is her curiosity about the invisible architecture of a room. She pays attention to what sits beneath the surface, who feels at ease, who is still translating, what people value, what they protect and what no one is saying out loud. That curiosity is where her leadership instinct comes from. She rarely enters a room, asking only where she fits. She pays attention to what the room needs, who has not been fully understood and where a bridge could be built. The setting changes, but the question underneath stays the same. How do I understand this space deeply enough to contribute to it with care? For Knyzhov, leadership does not belong to a single title, an industry or a single version of success. It belongs anywhere people need steadiness, care, courage or connection. Her life has moved through very different worlds, but the instinct underneath has stayed the same. Notice what matters, make room for others and leave each space better than you found it.

Gallery by Holly Arend | July 3 2026 Portland Sea Dogs vs Altoona Curve by Holly Arend The Portland Sea Dogs opened the holiday weekend with a 9-3 victory over the Altoona Curve on Friday night at Delta Dental Park, powered by a balanced offensive performance and strong pitching. Portland Sea Dogs vs Altoona Curve by Holly Arend These photos are owned by Hazze Media and Minor League Baseball (MiLB). They may not be redistributed, sold, or used for commercial purposes without explicit permission.

Photographed by Katie Romo | May 31 2026 The Last Dinner Party in San Diego photographed for HAZZE MEDIA by Katie Romo

Gallery and Review by Josue Cambara | June 3 2026 Kid Laroi - Gallagher Square at Petco Park (San Diego, CA) by Josue Cambara On June 3, 2026, The Kid Laroi brought his A Perfect World Tour to Gallagher Square at Petco Park in San Diego, California. The stop marked Laroi's largest headlining show in San Diego to date, and he arrived with the energy and production to match the occasion. Earlier this year, Laroi released his highly anticipated project, Before I Forget. The album came after a major creative shift in his career. Originally, Laroi had promised fans a new album in the fall of 2025, but following his public breakup with fellow singer Tate McRae, he made the difficult decision to scrap the project entirely. Instead, returning to the studio and creating a new project which would become Before I Forget. For any artist, abandoning a completed album is a risky move, but Laroi appears to have made the right call. The A Perfect World Tour is Laroi's biggest tour yet, spanning cities across the United States while also including several international dates. Joining him on the road as his openers were Tommy Richman and WizTheMC, two rising artists who have gained significant attention in recent years. Tommy Richman broke through with the viral hit "Million Dollar Baby," while WizTheMC has done the same similarly with “Show Me Love”. Kid Laroi - Gallagher Square at Petco Park (San Diego, CA) by Josue Cambara With this being Laroi's biggest tour to date, the production value was noticeable in his set design. From the lighting design and stage setup to the narrated transitions that guided fans through different chapters of his career, every detail felt carefully planned. Laroi has frequently cited Justin Bieber as one of his biggest inspirations, and some of that influence was evident throughout the show. Ring-shaped lighting fixtures hovered above the stage while Laroi performed on a dome-like platform, similar to Justin Bieber's Coachella performance earlier this year, where Laroi himself appeared as a special guest. As the lights dimmed, anticipation increased throughout the entire venue. A figure dressed in white appeared onstage as a computerized voice announced a series of tests before the show could begin. The performer, covered in "BIF" lettering, interacted with the stage cameras as if he was calibrating the production. Once the "tests" were complete, the opening notes of "ME + YOU" filled the venue while a sky-themed visual illuminated the massive screen behind him. Emerging through clouds of white smoke, Laroi slowly made his way to center stage as fans rapped each verse back to him. One of the night's standout moments came during a stripped-back performance of "Bleed." This performance was a strong contrast from the rest of the show, it was just Laroi with an acoustic guitar playing under one spotlight. Laroi's vocal delivery and raw emotions really connected with the crowd. The setlist also showcased Laroi's versatility. Some songs leaned into emotional rap ballads, while others turned San Diego into a high-energy party. During his Lil Tecca collaboration "Diva," mosh pits started forming throughout the crowd. A perfect example of you can go from really hyped to bawling your eyes out to an emotional ballad. Kid Laroi - Gallagher Square at Petco Park (San Diego, CA) by Josue Cambara Laroi closed the main set with his biggest hit, "STAY," his chart-topping collaboration with Justin Bieber. The crowd loudly sang Bieber's verse back to Laroi. Before leaving the stage, Laroi thanked fans for their continued support and reflected on how much his career had grown since his previous visit to San Diego, when he performed at a much smaller venue. The appreciation felt genuine, and the crowd responded with a standing ovation. However, the night wasn't over yet. As chants of "one more song" continued throughout the venue, Laroi returned to the stage and playfully asked, "What do you guys want, San Diego? I'm having trouble hearing you." Finally craving into the fans request, he surprised fans by announcing that instead of one more song, they would get two. The encore featured "Nights Like This" and "Girls," bringing the evening to a fitting conclusion. It was the perfect ending to A Perfect World Tour. Laroi delivered a memorable night of music in San Diego. For now, fans can continue enjoying the deluxe edition of Before I Forget while they wait for The Kid Laroi's next return to Southern California.

by Ava Heaton | July 2 2026 Gavin McKenna, Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images For generations, North American hockey development was governed by an unavoidable fork in the road. At just around 16 years old, many elite prospects were faced with a difficult decision. Either sign with a Canadian Hockey League (CHL) major junior team and automatically forfeit their NCAA eligibility due to the strict amateurism rules or preserve that eligibility by taking the often longer and lower-profile path through the USHL or Junior A leagues. That boundary disappeared ahead of the 2025-26 season, though. Following a monumental NCAA Division I Council vote to lift restrictions on major junior athletes, the floodgates opened. Now that the historic first season featuring CHL talent has concluded, it is clear that college hockey has undergone a shift and once again proven that the league, perhaps more than any other, is willing to adapt. The immediate impact of the rule change was, of course, felt on the recruiting trail, where the high-end talent pool essentially doubled overnight. College programs were no longer restricted to traditional development leagues and suddenly had access to over 1,000 major junior players who were already accustomed to major-league play styles, intense travel schedules and elite coaching. The biggest headlines were reserved for top-tier NHL prospects choosing to take their talents across the border rather than staying for more junior seasons or jumping straight to the minor leagues. And with this decision, players also had a chance to further their education while also developing in hockey. Massive commitments like the 2026 NHL Draft’s No. 1 pick, Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State, alongside other top prospects landing at powerhouses like Michigan, Michigan State, and Denver sent shockwaves through the sport. Johnny Hicks Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images Now how much of an impact did these players really have on their teams during this season? Well to answer that, let’s take a look at the numbers. According to Mike McMahon, over 300 CHL players made commitments to U.S. colleges for last season and beyond prior to the season starting. For simplicity’s sake though, let’s focus on the 16 teams that found themselves in the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament there were 143 first-years throughout the 16 teams and 55 of those first-years had some sort of CHL background. This means that roughly 38% of first-years in the tournament would have been ineligible for the NCAA just one season prior. The number of former CHL players was of course dependent on the team. Some teams like Dartmouth did not feature any players with a CHL background whereas every single first-year on Penn State came from the league. Here is where each regional location ranked in terms of percentage of first-years that had a CHL background: Sioux Falls - roughly 59% of first-years Albany - roughly 45% of first-years Worcester - roughly 26% of first-years Loveland- roughly 22% of first-years Now to narrow the search even further, we turn to the teams who did the best in the tournament. Every single starting goaltender in the Frozen Four had a CHL background. North Dakota’s Jan Spuňar, who didn’t allow a single goal in the Sioux Falls regional (facing Merrimack and Quinnipiac), spent two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Wisconsin’s Daniel Hauser had spent the five seasons before his collegiate debut with the Winnipeg Ice/Wenatchee Wild of the WHL. Michigan’s Jack Ivankovic spent two seasons with the Steelheads (Mississauga for his first season and transitioned to Brampton for his second season) of the OHL. And of course Denver’s Johnny Hicks, who had everyone talking as he led his team to a national championship, came from the Victoria Royals of the WHL. Quinnipiac, Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com There was one team that was just one win away from Las Vegas and perhaps benefited the most from the rule change: The Quinnipiac Bobcats. The Bobcats welcomed in 7 first-years with a CHL background, tied for the most among teams that made the NCAA Tournament with Providence and Penn State. And two of the team’s top three first-years in terms of points went into Hamden from the CHL. Quinnipiac has always been a program that takes advantage of changes quickly, led by Head Coach Rand Pecknold who spoke on some recent rule changes on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast back in October. “You can b***h and moan, or you can adapt,” Pecknold said. And no league has adapted more than NCAA Hockey. Where modern-era shifts have thrown other collegiate sports into structural chaos, hockey has navigated by turning “disruption” into an unprecedented talent boom. With the decision to allow former CHL talent into the NCAA, they are growing the fanbase of collegiate hockey as more and more NHL prospects are choosing their development path. The NCAA proved that adapting to change rather than running from it can benefit them, their athletes, and the NHL all at once. Disclaimer: The views, analysis, and opinions expressed in this op-ed are of the writer. All information is for commentary and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, professional, or investment advice. References to third-party sources and public figures are made for illustrative purposes and do not imply endorsement or verification by HAZZE MEDIA.