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Once again, Canucks fans loudly boo U.S. anthem in response to trade tariff threat

As soon as singer Elizabeth Irving confidently belted out the first few bars of the American anthem, the booing started

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A hint of what was to come Tuesday night at Rogers Arena occurred two hours earlier in Winnipeg.

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In advance of the Jets hosting the Carolina Hurricanes, the U.S. anthem was booed, but not in an overly ambitious manner by the Winnipeg faithful, according to those on the scene.

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And as soon as Vancouver Canucks’ singer Elizabeth Irving confidently belted out the first few bars of the American anthem, the booing response here was quick and continuous.

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It was yet another significant display of disdain for U.S. President Donald Trump and his executive order to slap Canada with a 25 per cent trade tariff on its goods — a directive that has been delayed for at least 30 days — and it has raised questions whether booing is the right response.

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canucks fans boo anthem
An oversized Canadian flag is passed through the crowd as Vancouver Canucks players stand during the singing of O Canada before an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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After all, singer Agasha Mutesasira, who works for Spinal Cord Injury B.C. and is originally from Uganda, was visibly shaking during her U.S. anthem delivery Sunday at Rogers Arena before the Canucks faced the Detroit Red Wings. She sported a big smile when the crowd cheered her Canadian anthem rendition.

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However, in the big picture, there is room to debate.

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Should sports and politics mix? Should there have been a recorded anthem to save singers from being exposed to the onslaught of boos? And should anthems be removed as a prelude to professional sporting events?

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Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood was born in Columbus, Ohio, a politically-charged state that’s a big voting player in determining the presidency, and his response Tuesday morning was telling. What did he think of what he heard Sunday?

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“It’s hard to mix politics and sports,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m a fan of booing any anthem. I understand that there’s a lot of passion from our fans, but I also believe in respect. The beauty of it is we’re free to express what we want to, but I wouldn’t want to disrespect the anthem singer either.

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“At the end of the day, our fans care and it’s up to them in how they want to channel it, I guess. Anthems are a sign to show respect for the great land and country that we live and play in — both in the U.S. and Canada.”

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Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was born in Scarborough, Ont., and was a feisty and productive winger in NHL stops at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles in Boston. He understands fan passion, but wasn’t going to wade into the great anthem debate Tuesday.

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“I thought the girl did a terrific job, she was awesome,” Tocchet said of Mutesasira’s effort Sunday. “I felt bad for her. But it is what it is.”

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Towering Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers was born in Houston and resides in Kelowna during the summer months. He respectfully stickhandled around the U.S. anthem response question.

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“I’ll talk hockey,” he said Tuesday after the morning game-day skate.

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Booing of the U.S. anthem also occurred Saturday in Ottawa before the Senators hosted the Minnesota Wild, and also in Calgary after it preceded a game against the Red Wings.

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The Canucks brain trust met Monday to prepare for Tuesday. The U.S. anthem was loudly booed here Sunday before the Canucks met Detroit. They decided to go with the status quo.

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“Nothing to share externally right now, but are discussing internally,” a club spokesperson told Postmedia on Monday.

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Canucks anthem singer Elizabeth Irving is accustomed to performing before loud fans at Rogers Arena. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG
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On Tuesday, Irving did what she has always done to rave reviews.

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She sung anthems at the 2010 Winter Olympics before raucous crowds in a sold-out venues, so she wasn’t going to be intimidated Tuesday. And especially after finishing the Canadian anthem Tuesday with her traditional wave to the fans.

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“For me, I think the anthem is such a special and pivotal moment before a game,” she told Postmedia at opening of the NHL playoffs last spring. “It’s a moment where everybody in the crowd gets to come together and start the game off right.

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“And it’s such a prideful moment. In a world where there’s a lot of separation and negativity, the anthem is about togetherness and positivity.”

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bkuzma@postmedia.com

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