CapGeek
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder(s) | Matthew Wuest |
| Available in | English |
| Current status | Defunct |
CapGeek was the name of a Canadian hockey website, specializing on the business aspect of the NHL. The site featured explanations of the salary cap, the status of a players' contract, statistics, etc. Called revolutionary by hockey experts, CapGeek was launched in 2009 by Metro Halifax sports journalist Mathew Wuest, the site garnered commercial and critical success, became a top source for information on players' salaries and landed Wuest on The Hockey News' list of Top 100 Most Influential People in Hockey.[1][2]
CapGeek was disbanded on January 3, 2015, in order for its creator to shift focus on his health.[3]
The site
CapGeek.com was founded in 2009 by Mathew Wuest. Originally called SalaryCapCalculator.com, Wuest was persuaded by his wife to change the name to CapGeek, as it was more marketable.[4] Wuest slowly built his site until it suddenly "exploded" in popularity, to the point that NHL teams themselves were using it as a reliable source.[4] The site ran until January, 2015, when Wuest shocked the hockey community in closing the site. Upon entering the website, a statement was displayed, which included "This sudden decision is made with a heavy heart and is due to the personal health of CapGeek.com founder and director Matthew Wuest".[5] By its closure, CapGeek had become so well known within the hockey community that the NHL itself reported the closure of the site with a featured article on their main webpage.
Despite Wuest stating that he had no intentions of selling, offers were made, as high as "six figures" in some cases. Wuest politely declined all purchase inquires.
Matthew Wuest
Matthew Wuest (1979-2015) was a Canadian sports reporter and Internet entrepreneur. Born in the small community of Stanley, New Brunswick, Wuest worked for Metro Halifax, covering a range of sports for their paper and website, but specialized in the game of hockey. Before working with Metro, Wuest ran a site that updated the progress of Detroit Red Wings prospects.[6] Mathew created CapGeek in 2009 while still working for Metro. Wuest was described as a very humble man who was passionate of his work, but never wanted attention. He rarely talked about his site in person, with one colleague revealing that he hadn't known Wuest owned CapGeek until 3 years into its existence, when a mutual friend informed him.
Wuest passed away in the early hours of March 19, 2015, at the age of 35, due to colon cancer.[7] Many websites and reporters paid their respects, with TSN, The Hockey News, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The National Post, Sportsnet and Wuest's former employers Metro International being the notable publications. These authors and more wrote articles covering the life and career of Wuest, with some offering homepage coverage. Hockey fans alike also shared their grief via social media and the comment sections of the listed websites.
References
- ↑ "CapGeek founder Matthew Wuest made unforgettable impact on hockey". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ↑ "One-on-One With CapGeek.com Founder Matthew Wuest". The Hockey Writers. 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ↑ "CapGeek.com ceases operations due to owner’s health crisis". Yahoo Sports. 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Matthew Wuest remembered as a hockey pioneer". Sportsnet. 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ↑ "CapGeek.com ceases operations due to founder's health". The Sports Network. 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ↑ "Remembering Matthew Wuest: humble and passionate". The Hockey News. 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
- ↑ "Matthew Wuest, Cap Geek founder, dies of cancer". CBC Sports. 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2015-03-21.