On Frozen Blog

Much has been made lately about bloggers’ requests for credentials being denied by the NHL for the Stanley Cup Finals. Some credentials progress has been made with regard to the NHL Entry Draft in Columbus next week. Word out of Long Island this week is that Isles’ management has decided to emulate, in spirit, the Washington Capitals and embrace the hockey blogging community.
From the New York Islanders’ web site:

“Introducing the NYI BLOG BOX, the first of its kind among pro teams in the New York area.
The Islanders are challenging their fans with a passion for writing to start their own Islanders blog. Fans with existing Islanders blogs are welcome, too.
But here’s the kicker: all chosen bloggers will be given the opportunity to cover select home games and practices with special media accommodations.
We’re setting up a BLOG BOX in the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum — sort of like a press box, but away from the scribes and broadcasters because we know you want to cheer, shout, have a pretzel and enjoy the game experience on your own terms.”

OFB applauds this forward thinking on the part of Isles’ brass, but we’re disappointed with the caveat that accompanies it. Bloggers on the Island gain important access to the athletes and action, but the team has chosen to isolate bloggers from the Old Media out of a belief that the quasi-credentialed can’t quite contain their fans’ enthusiasm. If management wanted to introduce the wider access with a probationary period, that to us would be more defensible than the stated condescension. But with this access in its qualified form, the onus is on the Island blogging community to rise to the moment. And there can be no denying the significance of this news; Ted Leonsis has been proactive in his attempts to get his organization’s support for hockey bloggers replicated, and this news is fruit from that effort.
Perhaps a year or two from now the access in Nassau won’t be confined to a new media penalty box.
Hat tip to Kukla’s Korner for the primary assist.