I thought the NHL (who makes the rules) would have made sure that the Canadian anthem was played as well in todays game. they did play the anthems of both the UK and USA.
I realize that both teams were American and the game was played in London, but aren't the teams representing the NHL? and the NHL is comprised of teams in Canada and the USA.
In my opinion just another unclassy act by gary Bettman and the NHL.
I've heard the NHL was very instrumental in all aspects of the games and that would include the anthems.
Also the fact the majority of players are Canadian should have swayed the powers to be that for this game all 3 anthems should have been played.
2007-09-29 12:06:57 · 11 answers · asked by Judy R 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Most of you are missing the main point.
The 2 teams, though being from American cities are representing the NHL and the NHL is in the USA and Canada.
In this case I think proper procedure would have been to play both anthems of the countries the NHL is played in.
But I guess that if it didn't bother the players or any Canadian sports announcers, who cares LOL
2007-09-30 02:18:40 · update #1
In UK we play the anthems for the countries the teams that are playing come from and for the country where the game is taking place - in this case USA and UK. Anthems are not played for every player's country of origin. If that happened in some sports, the anthems would go on almost as long as the game!
2007-09-29 12:13:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, that crossed my mind too, but I reasoned that since there are so many different nationalities playing in the NHL today that it was someones choice that playing the American anthem was significant in that the NHL offices are based in New York. We all know that the sport came from Canada and that if the Canadian anthem is played in American arenas, and that only two games are going to be played in London, it wouldn't hurt to play all three anthems.
But the other side of it is if there are so many nationalities to be represented by the NHL, why does the American anthem get chosen not only over the Canadian anthem, but all others as well?
2007-09-29 22:47:30 · answer #2 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You made some very good points, but as a Canadian, it doesn't really bother me. As you said, it was a game between two American teams on UK soil. When two American teams play each other in any pro sports (excluding NFL), only the American anthem is played, even though there are Canadian players on at least one squad. Plus...who really pays any attention to the anthems during the regular season? lol
2007-09-29 21:57:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would they play the Canadian? Nothing against the Canadians, BUT most times if it is two American teams playing they don't play the Canadian Anthem. So they were just going along with the norm. Now should we also play the Russian National Anthem, among others, for THOSE players? Don't say well they aren't the majority, because that would be UN-AMERICAN. The U.S. was designed to protect the minority from the majority actually.
2007-09-29 20:11:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As a Canadian I don't really mind that our anthem wasn't played but I just thought that I would remind a few of you that there are more Canadians on both teams than any other nationality.
2007-09-29 22:16:52 · answer #5 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really just doesn't make sense to play the anthem when their isn't a canadian team there. It just seems like a waste of time.
I wouldn't expect them to play the American Anthem if it was the Canucks and Canadiens playing in London.
2007-09-29 19:16:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
well why would two american teams be playing in london?
well the nhl only plays the anthem of the teams facing.(to show respect)and it also pumps them up.(seriously)
doesnt matter if the players were canadian but what team they play for
2007-09-29 19:13:41 · answer #7 · answered by Brodeur 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it would of been a waste of time considering that the game was delayed already for about 20 mins if it was a canadian team and an american team then fine but if there from the same country then dont worry about it they know what there doing and even tho its a canadian sport there were no canadian teams even tho anaheim has a lot of them on there team lol
2007-09-29 19:37:56 · answer #8 · answered by Duxfanforlife92 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why should they play the anthem when it was Anaheim and Los Angeles, to non-Canadian teams?
Gary Bettman can't be blamed for EVERYTHING
2007-09-29 20:04:25 · answer #9 · answered by TBL 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
they only play the anthem of the teams who are playing each other, unless you're in buffalo, whre the team there plays both anyways.
I personally think that they should play both anyways in all arenas, but hey, it doesn't happen. live with it. why are we so concerned with nationality anyways?
2007-09-29 20:11:59 · answer #10 · answered by The Big Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋