Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

With rising nationalism and anthem protests spilling over into the sports world, are pre-game anthems still relevant in minor hockey? Are they fostering patriotism or just creating unnecessary tension for young athletes? What role do these rituals play in shaping the values and experiences of our kids in youth sports? I personally feel the focus should be on the game itself, not political grandstanding. What are your thoughts? Do we even need anthems at this level? Lets discuss. I predict we will see a decline in anthem ceremonies within the next five years, particularly in minor leagues. Am I way off base here?