s/t Kuklas Korner
A Toronto hockey fan is hoping to bring some Canadian spirit to the Stanley Cup final.
Sandro Liburdi has started up a petition with hopes of convincing the National Hockey League to play both the Canadian and American national anthem at the games.
The finals will be a best-of-seven games showdown between two U.S. teams – the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers. The series starts Saturday at 9 p.m.
"Although there are two U.S. teams in the final, there are 38 Canadian players and only 24 U.S. and international-born players combined," he said in a telephone interview with ctvtoronto.ca. He also pointed out that the captains of both teams are Canadian.
"Those Canadian players deserve to hear their anthem."
An online petition (www.playouranthem.ca) was launched Thursday afternoon and within a few hours, more than 2,500 people signed their support.
Liburdi says he is trying to get hockey commentator Don Cherry and other sports notables on board.
Honouring Canada in an American sporting competition is nothing new. In fact, the National Basketball Association flies a Canadian flag at every game, regardless of which team is actually playing.
[CTV.CA]
NO! should we play the national anthem of all the home countries with players in the finals? this guy needs a helmet
ReplyDeleteHere's a better idea: stop playing the anthem(s) before the games altogether. It is an old tradition that was started to whip up patriotism during World War II.
ReplyDeleteNational anthems don't have anything to do with pro sports.
Wow this is one of the worst ideas ive heard in a long time. I am a very proud Canadian and its embarrassing that this is even an idea; should Finlands National Anthem played because of Niemi, Timmonen, and Leino?? Only the American Anthem should be played, and if Don Cherry even endorses this a little bit I will lose a lot of respect for him.
ReplyDeleteThere is no reason to play the Canadian Anthem because the games aren't in Canada. I can't believe there are people that would come up with this idea.
ReplyDelete