Marc-Andre Fleury Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
This is THN.com’s Plus Minus, an ongoing web feature in which we give out “pluses” to positive news items in the hockey world, as well as “minuses” for not-positive news items. On to it we go:
PLUS: Punjabi version of Canadian national anthem a welcome step forward for game
The NHL made news this week after a Winnipeg Jets game Saturday included a Punjabi version of the Canadian national anthem. A group of children from Amber Trails School performed the anthem, and it was played on exactly the right occasion, as that game was earmarked as the South Asian Heritage Night. It was wonderful to see the sport extend its roots to non-traditional hockey communities. This writer does understand why representation matters so much and why the initiative to broaden the reach of the sport is a savvy one.
There are intriguing arguments to be made about the place of national anthems in the Modern Era, but if we’re going to have anthems at every game, there’s nothing wrong with trying something different. It’s not an insult to any other Canadian citizen; rather, it’s an acknowledgment that we’re in a multicultural world. The more hockey fans we make of people from all backgrounds, the better the game will be down the road. One day, there well could be a Punjabi superstar NHLer, and if and when that does happen, they’ll be able to look back in history and see the best hockey league in the world reaching out to them. Let’s hope we see more of these types of efforts.
MINUS: Wild’s choice not to start Fleury in Pittsburgh a downer for fans
The Minnesota Wild had a chance to give goalie Marc-Andre Fleury a nice send-off for what likely would’ve been his final game playing in Pittsburgh. But Wild coach John Hynes instead chose to play Fleury’s tandem-mate Filip Gustavsson, robbing Pens fans of one more time to see the legendary netminder ply his trade in the city he flourished in.
In some respects, it’s understandable why Hynes decided to play Gustavsson, who has been on a hot streak since Minnesota parted ways with former coach Dean Evason. But this is the type of decision that can sour a player on a coach, and Hynes has no room for error as he tries to steer his team into a playoff position in the Central Division.
The Wild wound up losing 4-3 to the Penguins Monday, so second-guessing Hynes’ decision is justified. But from a pure emotional angle, it stinks to see a missed opportunity for an incredible hockey citizen like Fleury. He may have stepped up with a big-time performance in front of his longtime fans, but Hynes never gave him the chance to do so. That’s a shame.
PLUS: Campbell-Pascall’s move to PWHL role a big benefit to women’s game
Legendary Canadian women’s hockey player Cassie Campbell-Pascall announced this week she would be leaving her job as a broadcasting commentator to take on a new job with the fledgling Professional Women’s Hockey League. Campbell-Pascall will serve as a special advisor to the new league, which begins its inaugural season on Jan. 1, 2024. And really, there’s no downside whatsoever to bringing in someone who has been an incredible ambassador to hockey and the women’s side of the sport in particular.
Indeed, anyone who has spoken to Campbell-Pascall over the years will tell you what a dedicated hockey person she is. The new women’s league will encounter some speed bumps along the way – all pro leagues do – but with Campbell-Pascall on board, the PWHL will be able to draw on her extensive experience to help it navigate through the waters of the business and entertainment angles of the industry. It’s a bit of a downer we won’t see her regularly on our TVs now, but we have no doubt Campbell-Pascall will remain a public figure who makes the sport better.
MINUS: No takers yet for world’s largest hockey stick
The planet’s biggest hockey stick, which for decades has been situated on B.C.’s Vancouver Island since 1988, appears to no longer have a home in that community. Worse still, it’s unknown if any cities in Canada are willing to be the new home for it.
You’d think some Canadian town would benefit tourism-wise from the giant stick. It would not be ideal to send the stick to the scrapyard, but unless something changes and changes rather quickly, that could be the destiny for it. Here’s hoping it can be salvaged and kept intact in a new locale.
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