‘The Hockey Song’ By Stompin’ Tom Connors To Be Inducted Into The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

The induction ceremony, which will be held in partnership with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is scheduled to take place Saturday, October 27 at the Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto, ahead of the Maple Leafs versus Winnipeg Jets game.

Released in 1973, the beloved song is celebrating its 45th anniversary as a staple tune played throughout Canadian and American NHL arenas, and at every Toronto Maple Leafs home game.

“The Hockey Song” is the best-known example of Connors’ unique brand of fervent Canadian nationalism. Its up-tempo style with a cowboy-booted backbeat reflected the swift pace of the game, and in Tom’s typical catchy novelty-song style, his three verses corresponded to the three periods of a hockey game with each verse calling the action like a play-by-play announcer, in a familiar structure that has endeared fans and players alike.  Stompin’ Tom was often invited to perform it at NHL games, and his song became not only a hockey theme song, but an unofficial national anthem.

“This year, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame is partnering with events that share a connection with the songs we’re inducting,” said Vanessa Thomas, Executive Director of CSHF. “There’s not a more fitting stage to celebrate Stompin’ Tom’s “The Hockey Song” than at an NHL game.  We are very excited to see the crowd’s passion for the song and to honour this classic into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.”

The song reached No. 29 on Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100 chart on March 23, 2013, a few weeks after Connors’ death.