Introduction
Imagine walking into an arena filled with buzz and anticipation. The ice gleams under bright lights, fans clutch foam fingers, and as the first chords of “The Hockey Song” fill the air, every voice—young or old—joins in. That moment, more than any slap shot or bone-crunching check, embodies why Connors’s tune remains timeless.
“The Hockey Song” was both written and performed by Canadian folk-country legend Stompin’ Tom Connors in 1973, appearing on his album Stompin’ Tom and The Hockey Song. Connors structured the verses to mirror a full hockey match: the first celebrating the opening face-off, the middle capturing the heat of the playoff scramble, and the final verse declaring “the puck is in, the home team wins!”. In concerts, he often customized “home team” to reflect local fans—whether Maple Leafs in Toronto or Senators in Ottawa.
“The good old hockey game is the best game you can name,
And the best game you can name is the good old hockey game!”
These lines invite thousands to clap and sing along, forging instant camaraderie under stadium roofs.
After the Ottawa Senators first played it in 1992, coach Pat Burns insisted the Maple Leafs adopt it, cementing its place at Scotiabank Arena. Today, the song echoes through every NHL rink in Canada and many in the U.S., and has even been adopted by European teams like Dinamo Rīga. In 2018, it was rightfully inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Charles Thomas “Stompin’ Tom” Connors (1936–2013) devoted his career to celebrating Canadian life and lore. Beyond “The Hockey Song,” he penned over 300 compositions and remained fiercely proud of his country roots, refusing to bow to international trends.
Decades after its release, “The Hockey Song” continues to unite fans. Each spring, as playoff fever rises, the song’s verses feel fresh, its chorus as electrifying as ever. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a living tribute to the collective heartbeat of hockey lovers everywhere.