If you all will indulge me for a minute, I want to share an excerpt from Bob MacKenzie's book referring to Gord Downie, the lead singer of the Tragically Hip who passed away this morning (his Godfather was Harry Sinden, so he's rather intrinsically linked to hockey). It just made me laugh. Many of you probably have no idea who the Hip are, but in Canada there have not been too many bands who were loved more.

They all like hockey; they like watching it; they like playing it— or at least, to varying degrees, they did. In the early or middle years of the band’s existence, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the boys in the Hip would go to great lengths while touring to organize hockey games. Sometimes it was just ball hockey in an arena parking lot, but oftentimes it would entail finding ice and equipment to play a real game with the crew.

“I remember when we opened for [Jimmy] Page and [Robert] Plant, we did two legs of America as their opening act,” Downie recalled, “and we had this ferocious three-on-three game on Rollerblades in the parking lot of the [Philadelphia] Spectrum right before we went on. I remember our tour manager coming out and yelling at us, ‘You’re on in eight minutes.’ When you’re opening for someone, there’s no pressure. It was like, ‘Okay, backstage, skates off, on stage.’ We would do that a lot.

Hockey runs deeps in our veins.
God bless and rest in peace, Gordie!!

@stevezipay 13s14 seconds ago
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McDonagh (maintenance) not at prax for NYR

If you all will indulge me for a minute, I want to share an excerpt from Bob MacKenzie's book referring to Gord Downie, the lead singer of the Tragically Hip who passed away this morning (his Godfather was Harry Sinden, so he's rather intrinsically linked to hockey). It just made me laugh. Many of you probably have no idea who the Hip are, but in Canada there have not been too many bands who were loved more.



Hockey runs deeps in our veins.
God bless and rest in peace, Gordie!!
- Tonybere

I will never understand why Canada loves these guys so much. I mean, they're decent, musically, but nothing special. I guess they talk about Canadian things, so they're liked by Canada.

Made me laugh way too hard

I will never understand why Canada loves these guys so much. I mean, they're decent, musically, but nothing special. I guess they talk about Canadian things, so they're liked by Canada.
- jmatchett383

That's it exactly. They are easy to identify with. They have referenced many, many very Canadian things, places and events with respect and reverence. Without being too preachy or political.

That's it exactly. They are easy to identify with. They have referenced many, many very Canadian things, places and events with respect and reverence. Without being too preachy or political.
- Tonybere

Never listened to them, but if they like hockey they are ok in my book.

That's it exactly. They are easy to identify with. They have referenced many, many very Canadian things, places and events with respect and reverence. Without being too preachy or political.
- Tonybere

I know that Canadians, as a whole, are very nationalistic (just look at TSN as an example) and are very proud of being Canadians, so that makes sense. I think that part of it, and I'm not trying to put Canada down at all, is that Canada doesn't have a ton of bands that make it big without become douche bag rock stars (see: Nickleback), so they really get behind the ones that they can still identify with as real people.

Never listened to them, but if they like hockey they are ok in my book.
- mdw7413

Musically, they're a decent band. From what I've read and heard, a big part of the appeal is that they're Canadians talking about some of the best things about Canada/being Canadian. Which explains why most people outside of Canada are confused with the fascination.

Musically, they're a decent band. From what I've read and heard, a big part of the appeal is that they're Canadians talking about some of the best things about Canada/being Canadian. Which explains why most people outside of Canada are confused with the fascination.
- jmatchett383

My musical tastes aren't the most popular on this board. I can't stand the Beatles, and I had no idea what Barry Manilow looked like.

My musical tastes aren't the most popular on this board. I can't stand the Beatles, and I had no idea what Barry Manilow looked like.
- mdw7413

If anyone on this board can describe what Barry Manilow looks like in detail, please make yourself known, now.

My musical tastes aren't the most popular on this board. I can't stand the Beatles, and I had no idea what Barry Manilow looked like.
- mdw7413

Lol. That might just be the first (and hopefully last) time I've heard them mentioned together!

@NYIslanders 41s42 seconds ago
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Doug Weight: Jaro will start in goal tomorrow. #Isles

Should we give the Isles the two points now or...

I know that Canadians, as a whole, are very nationalistic (just look at TSN as an example) and are very proud of being Canadians, so that makes sense. I think that part of it, and I'm not trying to put Canada down at all, is that Canada doesn't have a ton of bands that make it big without become douche bag rock stars (see: Nickleback), so they really get behind the ones that they can still identify with as real people.
- jmatchett383

Funny you should say that. TSN has Downie's death dominating their webpage. That's how much people link them and hockey.

Surprising to say but I like to see the bounce back so far this year, but Staal has been the Rangers best Defencemen so far this year.

I know that Canadians, as a whole, are very nationalistic (just look at TSN as an example) and are very proud of being Canadians, so that makes sense. I think that part of it, and I'm not trying to put Canada down at all, is that Canada doesn't have a ton of bands that make it big without become douche bag rock stars (see: Nickleback), so they really get behind the ones that they can still identify with as real people.
- jmatchett383

I would pay good money to have TSN as part of my cable package here the states.

I would pay good money to have TSN as part of my cable package here the states.
- tomburton99

I get all TSN Channels as I'm from Toronto.

If anyone on this board can describe what Barry Manilow looks like in detail, please make yourself known, now.
- eichiefs9

High cheeck bones, big hair. Currently a bit of Crypt Keeper in him.

If anyone on this board can describe what Barry Manilow looks like in detail, please make yourself known, now.
- eichiefs9

Well now that I know what he looks like, I would say a chipmunk without a chin made by a child using silly putty.

I get all TSN Channels as I'm from Toronto.
- Rangers99

Don't get it here in the States. Would only get some NHL network would broadcast it, then the partnered with Sportsnet. And sportsnet stinks outside of Elliotte Freidman.

We'll race you to the first overall pick!! READY. SET. GO!!!

High cheeck bones, big hair. Currently a bit of Crypt Keeper in him.
- AmazingSav

We would've simply accepted:

"I Can"

You can now exit the board with whatever pride you feel you still have

We'll race you to the first overall pick!! READY. SET. GO!!!
- Dedshark

I would actually prefer to see Calgary as their opponent in that race.

I would actually prefer to see Calgary as their opponent in that race.
- eichiefs9

They can join in too.

Don't get it here in the States. Would only get some NHL network would broadcast it, then the partnered with Sportsnet. And sportsnet stinks outside of Elliotte Freidman.
- tomburton99

I felt the same way with Directv. Went to Florida to my brother in law's place and he has it. So much more programming and better programming than here. So we ordered more receivers and I shipped them to my house here. Now I have directv also.

I would actually prefer to see Calgary as their opponent in that race.
- eichiefs9

Don't think so. Calgary is gonna be decent even with Smith in net.