The national anthem has become a controversial, divisive start to hockey games. Where friends, family and fellow game goers look to each other to see who sings and who doesn’t. 

Those new to the sport often find it uncomfortable and unwelcoming, especially if their not nationalistic or from another nation. And given that many teams are located in multi cultural city’s or uni cities this can discourage many people from attending the sport.

No other sport in the UK does this for this reason. It is a left over from a different time in the sport, when hockey culture in the UK had yet to develop its own culture and therefore borrowed the traditions of other leagues such as the NHL. 

The game has come along away since then and will continue to grow and as it grows, the more people come to the games. Help make those new fans and current fans more comfortable during games. We come for the love of the game. Not a love of the nation.