Nothing gets a team and fan base hyped up for the post-season like a good song or anthem to associate with the squad.
Given hockey is embedded in Canada’s heritage and culture, it’s no wonder fans up north get so crazy about the NHL playoffs.
The passion across the NHL’s seven Canadian markets can be seen beyond just inside the arena, or outside of it during watch parties. In today’s digital age, fan-created ‘anthems’ are commonplace, especially leading up to the postseason.
Here’s a compilation of some of the best, and worst, fan-created anthems in the internet era.
HOT: Edmonton Opera Remix of “La Bamba”
Released: April 24, 2024
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFv647UxRGc[/embed]
“La Bamba” has become synonymous with winning in Edmonton since the 2021-22 season, when the team started playing it after every home win as an homage to legendary locker room attendant, Joey Moss.
It’s fitting that someone created Oilers-centric lyrics to pair with the team's victory song.
We will be playin’ La Bamba.
16 wins with La Bamba is necessary
Oilers Nation is Ready
Moss became the Oilers’ locker room attendant in the 1980s after striking up a relationship with Wayne Gretzky, who was dating his sister at the time. Until his passing in 2020, Moss, who was born with Down Syndrome, was a fixture at Oilers games.
COLD: Go Sens Go by Belly, Ft. Ray Emery
Released: Spring 2007
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb-lAq7JcHI[/embed]
This song has all the ingredients to be a banger but it became a jinx.
During the Senators' 2007 playoff run to the Stanley Cup finals, Ottawa-born rapper Belly released a song titled ‘Go Sens Go.’ And the best part is that the Sens goalie at the time, the late Ray Emery, is featured in the opening part of the track.
“We go hard, we win. Belly with the Ottawa Senators. Champions, baby,” Emery said at the start of the song.
The Sens never actually became champions, though, losing in five games to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2007 Cup finals. Ottawa hasn’t made it back to the finals since.
HOT: Game Night by A.S.M and DJ Heer
Released: April 18, 2024
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTTQImoL2So[/embed]
Two Abbotsford musicians collaborated to create a playoff rap and while many fans are scared the song could be a jinx, it’s a catchy track.
Late night, game night
Back again you already know
On the ice, we not nice
Go Canucks, go, go, go, go
The music video features a mix of Canucks highlights and lots of B-roll of fans cheering on the team outside Rogers Arena and in Robson Square.
According to Victoria News, Heer, a lifelong Canucks fan, has been a DJ for the past 18 years and has performed at several local sports games, including for the Vancouver Canucks, Abbotsford Canucks, BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps.
Cold: Canadian Kids by Adam Jesin
Released: Jan 26, 2017
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UarTVLB1FUg[/embed]
Look, it's a catchy song driven by an upbeat, feel-good acoustic vibe but the lyrics don’t resonate with all Canadian kids.
Winter Classic
Auston’s Magic
Made us thankful for our picks
Got a brand-new team
This has been a big dream
For all of us Canadian kids.
I know it’s hard for Torontonians to fathom this but despite the fact they get the most media attention – the Leafs aren’t Canada’s team.
This is a Leafs song. For Leafs fans. And it’d be a pretty good one at that if they hadn’t said that all Canadian kids were thrilled about Toronto’s promising team back then.
But rest assured to all those Canadian kids that hate the Leafs — Toronto has won just one round in the eight playoffs since the tune was released.
HOT: The Playoff Anthem by Ace Burpee
Released: April 18, 2015
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IneKfORFjc[/embed]
Winnipeg was buzzing when the Jets snuck into the 2014-15 playoff picture and this song – to the tune of “Without me” by Eminem – encapsulates that.
It’s catchy, upbeat and resonated with the vibe within the NHL’s smallest market at the time — which was going bonkers in anticipation of the city's first NHL playoff game in nearly two decades.
Look who’s back it’s Peg City
So everybody, stand up with me.
Drop the puck and get the Stanley Cup,
Shout it out, *TRUE NORTH*, strong and free
The song — produced by Ace Burpee, a well-known Winnipeg radio host — mixed in the audio of Jets fans screaming “TRUE NORTH” into the chorus, too.