The Hockey Theme Has Switched Networks

Checking out TSN.ca this afternoon, the headline of the moment was “CTV Saves The Hockey Theme” I was shocked as most Canadian hockey fans were when they heard of this shift of the song we consider our second national anthem.

I personally think CBC the network who used the song since the 1960′s for the Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts made a big mistake by not trying to keep this song. This song has been apart of Hockey Night In Canada’s tradition and seeing it on a different network will just feel a bit off. I love TSN and I think it’s the best sports network in Canada but hearing this theme song on their hockey telecasts and hearing a brand new song on CBC will be disappointing.

CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada will not feel the same anymore and CBC should be ashamed for not keeping this theme. But I’m happy the theme song will stay alive and still be connected to hockey even if it is dead to Hockey Night In Canada. Here is the article courtesy of TSN.ca:

Toronto, ON – CTV Inc., together with Copyright Music & Visuals, today announced that CTV Inc. has acquired all rights to ‘The Hockey Theme’ in perpetuity, preserving the song’s legacy and ensuring it will be heard on national television for years to come. ‘The Hockey Theme’ song will now live on CTV Inc. properties TSN, RDS and across Canada on CTV during coverage of the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympics as outlined below.

The deal between CTV and Copyright Music & Visuals was agreed to in principle after the CBC publicly announced last Friday at 5 p.m. ET that a deal could not be reached with the rights holders. Due diligence was completed earlier today.

The song, which was created by Vancouver’s Dolores Claman in 1968, will now be used in NHL broadcasts on TSN and RDS beginning this Fall. In addition, CTV will utilize the song as part of its hockey coverage during the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“The song has a long and storied history in Canadian sports and has become ingrained in the hearts and minds of hockey fans across the country. It is an iconic tune, embraced by Canadians everywhere, and we felt it was imperative to save it. We know we will be in hockey forever, so there’s no doubt this acquisition will create value for us,” said Rick Brace, President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc. “It’s an honour and a privilege to own such a cherished piece of Canada.”

“I am very moved by how so many Canadians have taken the hockey theme to heart. We are so pleased the song has found a new home,” said Claman. “Throughout our negotiations, CTV displayed a tremendous amount of respect for my family and the song. ‘The Hockey Theme’ means so much to Canadians, and we know it’s in good hands with CTV.”

The announcement complements TSN’s new six-year multi-platform NHL deal, featuring more coverage of Canadian teams than ever before with at least one Canadian team in every game. Earlier this year, RDS extended its exclusive rights agreement with the Montreal Canadiens through the 2011-12 season.

Detroit Red Wings 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

Wow what a series, as disappointed I am that the Penguin’s didn’t win the Stanley Cup I thought this series was very entertaining and I hope it gained some notoriety in America. Detroit obviously was the better team, and now I feel like an idiot since I predicted they would be out the first round. I never really trusted Detroit’s goaltending, but they played well all year and with Osgood’s age I didn’t think he could lead them to the cup.

The last minute of the game was intense and like game 5 I thought Pittsburgh were destined to tie the game up. But what a way to end it with the puck just inches from the goal line. What a great run Pittsburgh had and I think they are going to be a scary team for years to come. The off season should be interesting and I’m looking forward to the Entry Draft in two weeks.

Funny Pittsburgh Penguins Commercial

In the wake of the terrible day with Luc Bourdon passing away I thought I’d post something a little more up-beat. Here is the video which is gaining a lot of interest online a few of the Pittsburgh Penguins did for BMW, very funny!

 

 

Luc Bourdon Dead (Rest In Peace)

Some devastating news coming from TSN and The Province, Luc Bourdon has tragically passed away at the age of 21. He was killed in a motorcycle accident near his home in New Brunswick. Bourdon was one of the Vancouver Canucks top prospects and had a great deal of potential, my condolences goto his family, friends and teammates this will be heartbreaking for everyone in the hockey world. Rest In Peace Luc! 1987-2008.

Here are some videos to remember him by:

Stanley Cup Finals

It’s the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings, arguably two of the best teams in the NHL facing each other for the most coveted prize in hockey. This is one of the best things that could have happened for the NHL, to gain notoriety in the American market. Last night the Pens got their asses handed to them 4-0, but I feel they will come back next game and will ultimately win the series in 6.

Round 2 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Wow what an amazing first round we have seen in this years playoffs, the NHL front office were most-likely disappointed that Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals lost in Game 7 against the Flyers. Who wouldn’t have loved to see the NHL’s top 2 players battle it out in a playoff series? The NHL television ratings would have sky-rocketed if that was to happen, but it just wasn’t meant to be I guess. My first round predictions for the series winners were pretty good, 6 out of 8 the only series I got wrong was the Washington/Philadelphia series, and the Detroit/Nashville series. So I will see how far my luck goes with the second round predictions.

Montreal VS Philadelphia= Montreal in 5

Pittsburgh VS Rangers= Pittsburgh in 7

Detroit VS Colorado= Colorado in 6

San Jose VS Dallas= San Jose in 7

Mike Gillis New General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks

It has been confirmed, former player and player agent Mike Gillis has been hired to replace Dave Nonis as the new GM of the Vancouver Canucks.

When I heard the initial news that Dave Nonis was fired last week I was quite disappointed since I felt he was a great person to lead the Vancouver Canucks, who had more room to play in the off-season. I felt Dave wasn’t given enough time to build a Stanley Cup contender, he had the pieces in place and now that he actually had a chance to change the team and have more money to spend.

Now they hire Mike Gillis who has no GM experience and has only player agent experience, I’m quite frankly pissed off. I’m happy Francesco Aquilini and the rest of the ownership group hired someone right away before the draft but I’m pretty sure they could have hired someone with a better resume in the General Management department.

So what kind of changes is he going to make? Is the coaching staff gone? Being a former agent of Markus Naslund is he going to sign him? How is he going to make the Canucks competitive again? Is Luongo going to stay? All these questions will be answered soon enough, but at this point I don’t feel confident that this guy will lead this team to being a contender again.

My Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

My team the Vancouver Canucks missed the playoffs this year and as much as I’m disappointed and frustrated with not making the playoffs I’m looking ahead and am excited to see the off-season moves. Without the Canucks in the playoffs I’m still pumped, it’s going to be an interesting and entertaining playoff. I have decided to cheer for the Montreal Canadiens with the Washington Capitals also close to my heart. Here are my predictions:

Montreal VS Boston= Montreal in 5

Pittsburgh VS Ottawa= Pittsburgh in 6

Washington VS Philadelphia= Washington in 6

Rangers VS New Jersey= Rangers in 7

Detroit VS Nashville= Nashville in 6

San Jose VS Calgary= San Jose in 7

Minnesota VS Colorado= Colorado in 7

Anaheim VS Dallas= Dallas in 7

Lets see how good my predictions are next round. In the Finals I see Pittsburgh VS San Jose

Thanks For The Memories Trevor Linden!

So the Canucks didn’t make the playoffs for the second time in 3 years, I’m very disappointed but have high hopes for next season, I will comment further in a future post. Last night the it wasn’t about the playoffs and the 7-1 ass kicking we got from the Flames didn’t matter. It was all about the all-time favorite Canuck Trevor Linden who has not only put together a great career but he’s a great person who has put so much into this city.

It almost seemed like he is pressured to retire now with the reception Trevor got and the assumptions from the media. But I still think he might come back for another year, that’s if Alain Vigneault is fired. He’s not a fit on AV’s team and was benched about 20+ games this season, it’s only fitting for him to retire if AV is still coaching.

Trevor is one of the most classiest and nicest players in the NHL. All of his work with charities and kids funds and helping out around the city has made me respect him even more. I remember the day he got traded during the Mike Keenan/Mark Messier era, it brought in some good talent like Todd Bertuzzi and Bryan McCabe but I think the hearts of all Canuck fans were ripped right out. Seeing him play for other teams like Montreal, Washington and the New York Islanders was very surreal and it just didn’t seem right. But when he got traded back to Vancouver it was one of the best days as a Canuck fan. Since then he’s always been the most popular Canuck.

At the end of the game last night, Jarome Iginla did one of the most classiest things I’ve seen in professional sports, getting his team to come out and shake Trevor’s hand. The whole game was emotional but the end and the post-game festivities definitely brought tears to most Canuck fans. I always have hated the Calgary Flames but it’s really hard to hate them when they do a classy thing like this.

If this is Trevor’s last season, he will be sorely missed. His number 16 will be hung up in the rafters of GM Place when they retire his jersey. Thank-you Trevor for the memories.

Here are some videos dedicated to Trevor Linden, also highlights from last night.

Trevor Linden Tribute:

Trevor’s Last Game, respect from the Calgary Flames:

Trevor Linden’s Story Part 1:

Trevor Linden’s Story Part 2:

Trevor Linden’s Story Part 3: