Happy New Year 2025

Tag: NHL

NHL exec hopes Canadians avoid ‘unfortunate situation’ of booing US national anthem ahead of rivalry game

The USA-Canada rivalry on the ice is a longstanding one, but the rivalry appears to have gone political.

The bordering countries will take the ice Saturday night in Montreal for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the first time the two countries have played against each other in a best-on-best format since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

When Team USA faced Finland Thursday night in Canada, the crowd was anti-U.S., booing the American players and, later, the national anthem despite the public address announcer pleading with fans to respect both anthems.

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Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk celebrates a goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off game at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac/Imagn Images)

“I think it’s obviously an unfortunate situation. I don’t think anybody likes when anthems are booed or disrespected in any way, and certainly we count ourselves among that group,” Bill Daly, the NHL’s deputy commissioner, told Bloomberg’s “Business of Sports” podcast.

A rivalry is a rivalry, but tensions between Canadians and the United States are high after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods imported from the north. He also said Canada could become the “51st state.”

Raptors and Senators fans also booed the “Star-Spangled Banner” earlier this month when American teams visited Toronto and Ottawa. Vancouver Canucks announcer John Shorthouse even joked that a penalty would be 2½ minutes because of the 25% tariffs.

Charlie McAvoy (25), Jake Guentzel (59), Zach Werenski (8), Auston Matthews (34) and Jack Hughes (86) of the United States stand at their blue line during the singing of the United Sates national anthem before a 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland at Bell Centre Feb. 13, 2025, in Montreal. (Vitor Munhoz/4NFO/World Cup of Hocky via Getty Images)

TEAM USA STAR MATTHEW TKACHUK DELIVERS STERN ONE-LINER AFTER CANADIAN FANS BOO DURING AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

Daly said the NHL is “monitoring the situation.”

“I do think it’s ebbing a little bit,” Daly said. “Our experience just this past week in Montreal was a positive experience, with two American teams playing there. So, I hope that that will continue. Sport is a way of breaking down barriers and bringing people closer together, and we hope that this tournament can help do that, for sure.”

The puck drops at 8 p.m. A win in regulation for the U.S. will clinch a spot in next Saturday’s one-game final. There is a chance the two could play each other for the tournament title when it moves to Boston next week.

Matt Boldy (12) of the United States celebrates with Jaccob Slavin (74), Brock Faber (14), Kyle Connor (8) and J.T. Miller (10) after Boldy scored a goal during the second period of a 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland at Bell Centre Feb. 13, 2025, in Montreal. (Andrea Cardin/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

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Canada famously beat the U.S. in the 2010 Olympic gold medal game in Vancouver with a Sidney Crosby overtime goal.

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February 15, 2025
NHL announcer cracks tariff joke while calling game for Canada-based team

Even Canada-based NHL teams aren’t safe from feeling the brunt of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the country.

Mere hours after Trump’s executive order to impose tariffs on Canada, both Ottawa Senators and Toronto Raptors fans booed the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

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Vancouver Canucks fans did the same on Sunday night against the Detroit Red Wings, but there was more to be had.

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The Canadian flag is displayed during the Stanley Cup playoff game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place on May 18, 2024, in Edmonton, Canada. (Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

During the first period, Vancouver defenseman Derek Forbot was assessed a two-minute penalty for interference. That prompted longtime Canucks announcer John Shorthourse to facetiously say that the penalty would actually be 25% longer.

“This will actually be a two-and-a-half minute power play for the Detroit Red Wings, due to the 25% tariff that has been imposed on penalties to Canadian-based teams,” Shorthouse said.

Vancouver was able to kill the penalty, with the ending of the first period benefiting them.

Vancouver tied the game midway through the third after newcomer Filip Chytil scored, but Detroit would win, 3-2, in overtime.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the Liberal party caucus meeting in Ottawa, Canada, on Dec. 16, 2024. (Reuters/Blair Gable/File Photo)

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Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke via phone on Monday, hours before additional 25% tariffs were to take effect on Canadian goods coming into the United States. In a post on X, Trudeau said Canada will implement a $1.3 billion border plan and appoint a fentanyl czar.

Trump has long said Canada and Mexico have failed to do enough to prevent the flow of illegal migrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, from those nations into the U.S. In addition, Trump claims the U.S. has subsidized Canada to the tune of $200 billion annually.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaks during a Liberal Party fundraiser in Ottawa, June 10, 2024. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Trump had promised to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican goods, as well as a 10% tariff on Canadian energy and a 10% tariff on all goods entering the U.S. from China. The tariffs on China were set to go into effect Tuesday at midnight.

Fox News’ Louis Casano contributed to this report.

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February 4, 2025
Mother of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew says sons are ‘happy fans in heaven’ after Eagles win

The Philadelphia Eagles heading to Super Bowl LIX had Jane Gaudreau, the mother of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew, thinking about her two sons on Sunday night.

Hockey may be the Gaudreau family’s top sport, but being from South New Jersey, the Eagles are just as prominent.

Jane shared a picture on her social media accounts of her two sons wearing custom Gaudreau Eagles jerseys after the 55-23 win over the Washington Commanders sent Philadelphia back to the “Big Game.”

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A banner is raised in remberance of Johnny Gaudreau before the game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena. (Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images)

“I know two incredibly happy fans in heaven,” Jane wrote on Instagram. “GO BIRDS!!!!!! Going to the Super Bowl for the boys!!! One more win.”

Jane also shared the picture on X, adding “Miss and love you boys!” with two green hearts for the Eagles’ main jersey color.

Before the Eagles’ 2024 regular season began, tragedy struck the Gaudreau family and the entire hockey world as Johnny and Matthew were killed by a drunk driver in Oldmans Township, New Jersey — the day before their sister’s wedding. The Gaudreau brothers were riding bikes when Sean M. Higgins fatally struck them with his vehicle.

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Earlier this month, Higgins turned down the prosecution’s offer of 35 years in prison, pleading not guilty to his charges stemming from the incident.

Higgins, 44, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, evidence tampering and leaving the scene of an accident.

Police noted that Higgins had a blood alcohol level of .087, above New Jersey’s legal limit to drive, and he failed a field sobriety test. Police also said Higgins was driving aggressively, which included speeding up to drive around multiple vehicles, when he hit the Gaudreaus.

Johnny Gaudreau’s family during ceremonial puck drop by Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) prior to the game between the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Scotiabank Saddledome on Dec. 3, 2024. (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

The Gaudreau family was in the courtroom to witness Higgins’ hearing, and two days after, Jane posted quotes on her Instagram seemingly about what her and her family are going through.

“Sometimes life is hard,” the first quote read. “Some days are very rough, and sometimes you just have to cry before you can move forward…And that’s okay.”

“When you have a bad day – a really bad day – try and treat the world better than it treated you,” the second quote, which is from Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, read.

It’s not yet been determined when Higgins is due next in court, though a trial is upcoming.

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Although it may not be hockey, love for the Eagles has the Gaudreau family celebrating, and they know Johnny and Matthew will be looking down on New Orleans on Feb. 9 hoping their Eagles can lift the Lombardi Trophy once again.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 28, 2025