Booing vs not booing
CTV reports that some fans booed the U.S. anthem at Saturday night’s hockey game. The Gazette says people didn’t boo.
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Kate
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Nicholas 15:16 on 2025-02-09 Permalink
Gazette: “with only a small smattering of boos during Cherylyn Toca’s singing of the Star Spangled Banner — mostly coming from the upper deck.”
Kate 15:45 on 2025-02-09 Permalink
I don’t think I’d be able to resist booing, but then I think we ought to completely eradicate this weird tribal singing of anthems at sports matches. Maybe, just maybe, they could still play instrumental versions at the Olympics, where athletes have to represent a country, but I don’t see why there has to be an anthem when two NHL teams square off.
Someone explained to me here that one of the main reasons for sustaining the singing is that armed forces have connections with teams (viz, the flyovers by Air Force planes before some CFL games), but that seems weak to me. I don’t know of any link between the Armed Forces and the NHL.
Ian 18:50 on 2025-02-09 Permalink
Football loves its military crap, the NFL is even worse – but the NHL, yeah. Seems weird, especially since teams are rarely made up of even one local anymore. Last Montreal NHL players I see according to stats are James Malatesta, drafted by Columbus, and Zach L’Hereux drafted by Nashville, both in ’21.
Nicholas 19:30 on 2025-02-09 Permalink
FIFA actually has its own FIFA Anthem, maybe the NHL should get one too. But don’t worry, Kate, you’ll get cancelled before you even say we shouldn’t hold our hand over our heart as we look to the flag during the anthem.
Tim S. 23:54 on 2025-02-09 Permalink
NHL games in the US often have a military colour guard carrying the flags during the anthem, and a few vets/service people brought out so they can be applauded. I think the English Canadian NHL teams do a watered down version, first responders not necessarily military, but I haven’t watched enough games recently to say with certainty. Maybe that’s an MA thesis topic for someone!
Joey 11:43 on 2025-02-10 Permalink
It’s just the inertia of tradition.
Anyway, on Saturday at least the Canadiens had their PA announcer ask the fans not to boo the American anthem just before introducing the singer. I gather most fans listened. I think if Trump had not backed down, the chorus of boos would have been deafening.
Josh 11:59 on 2025-02-10 Permalink
Most Canadian NHL teams do have a Canadian Forces night with free tickets to soldiers and their families and activities and displays specifically catering to them. But it’s just one night a year.