Should Old Lang Syne

Should the Hockey Universe turn bitter and ugly through the summer, Hockey fans across the world will have to find something to take their mind off of all the trouble. And if one plan being floated comes to fruition, New Year’s Eve may find Canadians watching a replay of the great Game 8 of the Canada/USSR battle of 1972.

The NHLPA is working out some ideas on bringing together current Canadian born NHLers and Russian born players to meet in a rematch of sorts of one of the great moments in Canadian History.

The game to be played at Toronto’s Skydome would take place with the roof open, giving it the same kind of event feel that the open air game last year in Edmonton did.

If the details can all be worked out there would be a concert, fireworks display and women’s hockey game to name a few of the planned celebrations.

The planning for hockey post NHL is also providing some other interesting ideas, a barnstorming run with NHLPA players playing in a four on four format in cities with Junior a hockey clubs. Some may even don the jerseys of their former Junior teams.

And one other idea being bounced around the union hall, a skills competition tied in with a golf tournament at a resort that Mike Weir is involved with in the Muskoka region of Ontario. Many of the players involved in the discussions belong to IMG management, which just happens to handle Weir as well, that plan would keep all of their clients happy.

But by far the New Year’s eve idea is the one that will have the fans most interested in the state of the League and its players by Dec 31, when the clock strikes midnight, fan, player and NHL exec alike may wish to sing along,

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,
Sin' auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.


I don’t know about you, but I can hear Gary and Bob warming up their chords as we read this post.