David Staples

From Rinks to Reporting: A Career Forged in Alberta’s Ice

David Staples has carved a unique niche as a sports journalist and cultural commentator, blending granular hockey analysis with broader societal insights. Over two decades at the Edmonton Journal, his work has evolved from game recaps to nuanced explorations of how sports intersect with community identity, media ethics, and public policy.

Key Career Phases

• 2005–2012: The Beat Reporter Years – Cutting teeth on locker room interviews and deadline-driven game analyses
• 2013–2019: Cult of Hockey Era – Pioneering advanced metrics in mainstream Canadian sports journalism
• 2020–Present: Pandemic Pivot – Expanding into policy critique while maintaining hockey coverage

Defining Works: Three Articles That Shaped His Approach

Right call: Top Edmonton Oilers d-man suspended for one game

Staples’ April 2025 analysis of Darnell Nurse’s suspension exemplifies his balanced approach to sports journalism. Rather than simply recounting the NHL’s disciplinary decision, he contextualizes the incident within:

“The evolving standards of player safety and their impact on playoff strategies—a tension between maintaining physical play’s entertainment value and protecting athletes’ long-term health.”

Through interviews with former referees and data visualization of similar infractions over the past decade, Staples demonstrates how single-game suspensions now carry greater strategic weight in the salary cap era. His piece sparked debate across Canadian sports media about consistency in disciplinary decisions.

The depleted Edmonton Oilers got stomped 5-0 by their first round playoff rival Los Angeles Kings

This 2025 game analysis transcends typical sports reporting by examining the economic implications of NHL roster rules. Staples contrasts the Oilers’ injury-depleted lineup with the Kings’ salary cap management, using the lopsided score to question:

• The viability of “load management” strategies in hockey
• Revenue sharing impacts on team competitiveness
• Ethical considerations in playing injured athletes

His incorporation of CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) excerpts alongside shift-by-shift player analytics created a template for policy-driven sports journalism.

Saturday's letters: Alberta COVID report lacks credible sources

Demonstrating his range beyond sports, this 2023 editorial critique dissects pandemic policymaking through a media literacy lens. Staples deconstructs the Alberta government’s $2 million COVID report by:

“Applying the same evidentiary standards we demand in sports analytics—clear sourcing, reproducible data, and transparency about methodological limitations.”

The piece influenced subsequent media coverage of public health communications, showcasing Staples’ ability to translate journalistic rigor across beats.

Pitching David Staples: Strategic Entry Points

1. Hockey Analytics with Policy Implications

Staples prioritizes stories that connect on-ice strategies to broader business or regulatory frameworks. A successful 2024 pitch examined how NHL concussion protocols affected Canadian junior leagues’ recruitment practices. When pitching:

• Lead with verifiable data sets
• Identify stakeholders beyond teams/players (e.g., arena vendors, broadcast partners)
• Avoid speculative “hot take” angles

2. Cultural Reckonings in Sports Institutions

His series on Indigenous representation in hockey memorabilia (2023) demonstrates interest in systemic critiques. Effective pitches here should:

• Highlight historical parallels
• Include voices from adjacent cultural sectors (museums, academia)
• Propose solutions rather than merely diagnosing issues

3. Media Innovation Case Studies

As co-host of the Cult of Hockey podcast, Staples explores new storytelling formats. Pitches might examine:

• AI-assisted sports journalism tools
• Regional vs national coverage tensions
• Audience engagement metrics analysis

Awards and Industry Recognition

2024 National Newspaper Award Finalist (Sports Writing)

Recognized for his series “Salary Cap Chess,” which used game theory models to predict NHL roster moves. The Canadian Newspaper Association praised its “innovative synthesis of sports and economics reporting.”

2023 Alberta Media Award for Digital Innovation

Awarded for integrating real-time analytics dashboards into game recaps, allowing readers to filter content by advanced metrics like Corsi% or zone entry success rates.

2022 Sports Media Canada Lifetime Achievement Honoree

At just 48, Staples received this honor for “democratizing hockey analytics through accessible yet rigorous reporting.” The selection committee noted his unique ability to make advanced statistics relevant to casual fans.