PASabreFan Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 Viewers had the rare treat of listening to the anthems the other night against Florida, followed by Ronan Tynan and "God Bless America." While they panned the players on the bench during Tynan's performance, it seemed awkward. Players from Russia and Finland and Sweden and Austria and the Czech Republic and Germany and on and on have to stand politely and honor the U.S. and Canada. I would propose that next season, the Sabres play the national anthems of all of their players once during the season. Just swap out Oh Canada on those occasions. I think it would be damn cool, and don't tell me it wouldn't fire up a lot of the "foreign" players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom webster Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 Viewers had the rare treat of listening to the anthems the other night against Florida, followed by Ronan Tynan and "God Bless America." While they panned the players on the bench during Tynan's performance, it seemed awkward. Players from Russia and Finland and Sweden and Austria and the Czech Republic and Germany and on and on have to stand politely and honor the U.S. and Canada. I would propose that next season, the Sabres play the national anthems of all of their players once during the season. Just swap out Oh Canada on those occasions. I think it would be damn cool, and don't tell me it wouldn't fire up a lot of the "foreign" players. The Sabres play both the American and Canadian Anthems to show respect for the fact that both nations are represented in their fanbase. It has nothing to do with the athletes themselves. I'm sure that someone can say it better then I just did but while it would be neat to hear some of the other anthems, I for one wouldn't want to do it at the expense of the Canadian anthem. On a side note, if they (the foreign players) need to hear their anthem to fire them up, they really are as heartless as they have been portrayed in certain posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpandean Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 The Sabres play both the American and Canadian Anthems to show respect for the fact that both nations are represented in their fanbase. Really? I haven't watched an away game live since I went to Montreal several years ago (too long ago and too much beer to remember what they played), so I don't know what other teams do, but I had always been under the impression that teams played both the American and Canadian national anthems because those are the two countries that have NHL franchises. I thought it was a league-wide thing. Edit: it appears that I am correct The idea of playing the anthem at hockey games began in 1946 to show respect for the players returning from the Second World War. At the time, only the home anthem was played. In the 1960s, both anthems were played. In 1987, the NHL introduced a rule saying that both the Canadian and American anthems have to be performed before each game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted March 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 A collection of Slovakian folk songs to replace the piped-in North American crap once a year? If the anthems are just a nod to the fan base, then remember we are a nation of immigrants. Even if it's the presentation of the particular nation's flag at ice level, or the flags of all nations represented on the team hanging from the rafters, I just think it's important for the Sabres and the NHL to do a better job of recognizing the fact this is such an international game. I suspect there are still enough East-West tensions, and enough fear of alienating the good ole xenophobic North American fan base (see Tom's comment), that my idea would never be implemented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_sauve28 Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 Viewers had the rare treat of listening to the anthems the other night against Florida, followed by Ronan Tynan and "God Bless America." While they panned the players on the bench during Tynan's performance, it seemed awkward. Players from Russia and Finland and Sweden and Austria and the Czech Republic and Germany and on and on have to stand politely and honor the U.S. and Canada. I would propose that next season, the Sabres play the national anthems of all of their players once during the season. Just swap out Oh Canada on those occasions. I think it would be damn cool, and don't tell me it wouldn't fire up a lot of the "foreign" players. I think the fans would seriously "boo" I can't stand Ronan Tynan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom webster Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 Really? I haven't watched an away game live since I went to Montreal several years ago (too long ago and too much beer to remember what they played), so I don't know what other teams do, but I had always been under the impression that teams played both the American and Canadian national anthems because those are the two countries that have NHL franchises. I thought it was a league-wide thing. Edit: it appears that I am correct I guess you learn something new each day. I know when they started playing both anthems from the beginning, they were one of the few teams to do so. I guess I slept through 1987. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two or less Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 Teams located in the US play the US anthem. Teams that play in Canada, play the Canadian anthem. If a US team travels to Canada, they play both. Same with the US.... it's in the rules. However, Buffalo does play both to honour the Sabres fans who travel from Canada. I don't have a link or anything but it was once a hot topic on WNSA on a slow day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spndnchz Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 How about some big fat guys yodel something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 1. As far as I know, only Buffalo and Detroit play both anthems for every game. (When teams from both the US and Canada are playing the same game, all arenas play both anthems; otherwise, it's just the two border cities.) I've been to games in various sports in NY, DC, Montreal, Chicago, and Toronto, and they only play both anthems if the teams are from different countries. Specific to the NHL, I've been to US-only games in Chicago, DC, and NYC, and there is no "O Canada" going on. And if you watch HNiC, there is no US anthem during, say, an Oilers-Flames game. 2. I'm not unpatriotic, but did it ever seem silly to anyone else that we play anthems before league games? Do they do this in Europe? It makes sense in multinational tournaments, but why do we do it before regular games in any sport? Do we play anthems before gallery openings? Symphonies and plays? We're all used to it, but it is a little weird when you think about it. Why sports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 Viewers had the rare treat of listening to the anthems the other night against Florida, followed by Ronan Tynan and "God Bless America." While they panned the players on the bench during Tynan's performance, it seemed awkward. Players from Russia and Finland and Sweden and Austria and the Czech Republic and Germany and on and on have to stand politely and honor the U.S. and Canada. I would propose that next season, the Sabres play the national anthems of all of their players once during the season. Just swap out Oh Canada on those occasions. I think it would be damn cool, and don't tell me it wouldn't fire up a lot of the "foreign" players. A few years back, the Sabres did honor their players' nationalities with a pregame ceremony where they had ~8 kids skate around the ice with a flag representing each nationality on the Sabres roster. IIRC, this happened late in the '05-'06 season, but I might have the year wrong. I'd expect Tom W. could confirm the season. It was a nice gesture by the team and it didn't take away from either anthem that was sung that night. I'd like to see that done again, I'd be of the opinion that performing an extra anthem once every 5 or so games is excessive and replacing the Canadian anthem that often is disrespectful to our loyal Canadian bretheren. Really? I haven't watched an away game live since I went to Montreal several years ago (too long ago and too much beer to remember what they played), so I don't know what other teams do, but I had always been under the impression that teams played both the American and Canadian national anthems because those are the two countries that have NHL franchises. I thought it was a league-wide thing. Edit: it appears that I am correct I went to a Habs - Otters game in the '90's and I'd swear that they only played the Canadian anthem that night. And I don't recall hearing O Canada in '01 when I saw the Stars play the Kings. Not saying you're wrong, just saying I'd like to see the rule that the article referenced because I have a lot of (poor) anecdotal evidence that it is only a requirement to play both anthems when a team from each country is participating in that particular game. Teams located in the US play the US anthem. Teams that play in Canada, play the Canadian anthem. If a US team travels to Canada, they play both. Same with the US.... it's in the rules. However, Buffalo does play both to honour the Sabres fans who travel from Canada. I don't have a link or anything but it was once a hot topic on WNSA on a slow day. That's the way I've always understood the rule. 1. As far as I know, only Buffalo and Detroit play both anthems for every game. (When teams from both the US and Canada are playing the same game, all arenas play both anthems; otherwise, it's just the two border cities.) I've been to games in various sports in NY, DC, Montreal, Chicago, and Toronto, and they only play both anthems if the teams are from different countries. Specific to the NHL, I've been to US-only games in Chicago, DC, and NYC, and there is no "O Canada" going on. And if you watch HNiC, there is no US anthem during, say, an Oilers-Flames game. ... More anecdotal evidence suggesting the reporter Carp referenced didn't have it quite exactly correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 A few years back, the Sabres did honor their players' nationalities with a pregame ceremony where they had ~8 kids skate around the ice with a flag representing each nationality on the Sabres roster. IIRC, this happened late in the '05-'06 season, but I might have the year wrong. It was to honor the Olympians on the team for Torino in 2006. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robviously Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 Viewers had the rare treat of listening to the anthems the other night against Florida, followed by Ronan Tynan and "God Bless America." While they panned the players on the bench during Tynan's performance, it seemed awkward. Players from Russia and Finland and Sweden and Austria and the Czech Republic and Germany and on and on have to stand politely and honor the U.S. and Canada. I would propose that next season, the Sabres play the national anthems of all of their players once during the season. Just swap out Oh Canada on those occasions. I think it would be damn cool, and don't tell me it wouldn't fire up a lot of the "foreign" players. Wow....LOVE IT! Only I wouldn't swap out Oh Canada. We have tons of Canadian fans and I don't think the extra 2 minutes for that song is going to kill anyone. And making it a theme for the night would be awesome too. Maybe instead of blasting CottonEye Joe or the rest of the usual scoreboard crap, they could give us something that has to do with that country a few times during the night. Anything to change things up and make each game a little more different and special during the long season would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkman Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I would propose that next season, the Sabres play the national anthems of all of their players once during the season. I would propose that every NHL team play every national anthem of every player on their roster, that way they can play 40 minutes of music and just eliminate the first period all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpandean Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Maybe they could all just skate out with the flags of their nations when they first come onto the ice. Kinda like a mini Olympic opening-day procession. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayFinkle Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 The Sabres play both the American and Canadian Anthems to show respect for the fact that both nations are represented in their fanbase. It has nothing to do with the athletes themselves. I'm sure that someone can say it better then I just did but while it would be neat to hear some of the other anthems, I for one wouldn't want to do it at the expense of the Canadian anthem. On a side note, if they (the foreign players) need to hear their anthem to fire them up, they really are as heartless as they have been portrayed in certain posts. The NHL has teams located in the States as well as Canada, hence the playing of both anthems. Typically, but not all the time, only both are played when a Canadian team is involved in the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted March 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I would propose that every NHL team play every national anthem of every player on their roster, that way they can play 40 minutes of music and just eliminate the first period all together. I would propose that Ingrid Smolinska sing each anthem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpandean Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I would propose that Ingrid Smolinska sing each anthem. Mrs. Satan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted March 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Mrs. Satan? That's the one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickshaw Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 The Sabres are the only team in the NHL which plays both National Anthems regardless of who is playing. The only time a Canadian team plays the US anthem is if they are playing a US team. The only time a US team plays the Cdn anthem is if a Cdn team is playing them. The Sabres do it for all 41 home games and I think that is cool, being a Canadian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 The Sabres are the only team in the NHL which plays both National Anthems regardless of who is playing. The only time a Canadian team plays the US anthem is if they are playing a US team. The only time a US team plays the Cdn anthem is if a Cdn team is playing them. The Sabres do it for all 41 home games and I think that is cool, being a Canadian. We sing your anthem, you send us your beer. May we always be friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 The Sabres are the only team in the NHL which plays both National Anthems regardless of who is playing. The only time a Canadian team plays the US anthem is if they are playing a US team. The only time a US team plays the Cdn anthem is if a Cdn team is playing them. The Sabres do it for all 41 home games and I think that is cool, being a Canadian. Rick-are you sure the Red Wings don't also do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampD Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 The Sabres are the only team in the NHL which plays both National Anthems regardless of who is playing. The only time a Canadian team plays the US anthem is if they are playing a US team. The only time a US team plays the Cdn anthem is if a Cdn team is playing them. The Sabres do it for all 41 home games and I think that is cool, being a Canadian. The Red Wings do it as well. Being American, I, too, think it's cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FogBat Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 How about some big fat guys yodel something? Ask and ye shall receive... :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.