Why do they sing the american and canadian national anthems before every NHL game?

Question

uhh, i meant "why do they even sing the anthems", not necessarily "why they sing both". I'm asking why the tradition of singing the anthem began.

Answer 1

They don't when both teams are from one of the countries.

You will find that when two US NHL teams compete only the Star Spangled Banner is sung.

Answer 2

They only sing the US National Anthem if its a game of two US teams, or the Canadian Anthem only if its two Canadian teams. But, if a team represents each country in a game then the anthem of each country is played. The NHL is not strictly a US league... it includes Canadian teams.

Of course, the real question might be do they observe this in MLB? With the Toronto Blue Jays and back when the Expos were in Montreal?

Answer 3

They don't. If it is in Canada they sing both, I believe, because most teams are American so it is a sign of respect. If one of the teams is Canadian they sing both to respect to the teams. Not sure maybe if both are Canadian they only do the Canadian. From games I have watched though if both teams are American and in America they only do the American National Anthem. In other words they are showing respect to the teams that are playing. So unless they shut off part of the broadcast and simply don't show the Canadian National Anthem I have to stick by that it is only done if one team is Canadian and one is American.

Answer 4

It's a tradition that has been followed since the WWII days. And like everyone else has said above, in the NHL at least - both anthems are not always played. They are both only played if there is a Canadian team and an American team.

But just for a little tidbit, I kn that in one American ECHL city they started to play both anthems (Canadian and American) no matter who they were playing. I'm not sure if they still do, but apparently their crowds responded to it very positively.

Answer 5

It is because when an American team plays another American team, that is the only anthem that is played in that game. Same with two Canadian teams. If it is an American vs a Canadian team, then they play both. And, because there are players from both America and Canada.

Answer 6

Really? I thought they only sang both anthems if both countries are represented at the game...

They only sing O Canada at all-Canadian match-ups. Only the US anthem should be sung at all-US games, in my opinion. It shouldn't matter where the players come from, otherwise, you would be hearing the national anthems of many European countries at NHL games.

Answer 7

They don't. They only sing the anthem of a country if a team is from there.

Answer 8

Hockey is a North American Sport, not just an American sport. There are several teams from Canada in the NHL and it's a respect thing for both.

Answer 9

They sing the anthem before any sports game. they dont sing both at american vs american team games they only sing both when its an american vs a canadian team.

Answer 10

No, no goose bumps because of the fact i'm no longer Canadian. it is a attractive anthem, 2d in uncomplicated terms to ours. I do get goosebumps as quickly as I think of Francis Scott Key gazing the conflict of Baltimore against the bloody British and writing our megastar Spangled Banner on slightly scratch paper on the battlefield. What a attractive tale to our nationwide anthem. shame on you human beings who do no longer even understand the words. yet you are the 1st to ***** pertaining to to the matters in this united states. Youtube 'Wayne Messmer' and hear the version on the All megastar interest on the chicago stadium. superb version EVER!! permit'S bypass BLACKHAWKS!!