The Sports Corner

Hockey Canada logo exiled from Olympics

Where was this in the past three Olympics? 

The IOC announced that the Canadian Men’s Ice Hockey team will no longer be allowed to use their signature maple leaf with a hockey player logo that they’ve worn in international competition since, correct me if I’m wrong, the 1998 Olympics.

Did someone complain? Was this just brought to their attention because the 2010 games are in Canada? Who’s behind this? What’s the big deal?

If I were in charge of this country, that logo would replace the maple leaf on our national flag. But, because it’s a ‘corporation’ logo, it’s not allowed at the Olympics. Because, well, maybe it’s hurting too many of the other countries’ feelings because they haven’t thought up such cool logos.

Now, we have to look at our other options.

There’s always the 1972 half leaf we can go to, it’s always been a fan favourite and a staple in any Team Canada memorabilia collector’s den. But, there is a better way to do it. Why not rotate each game with one of the six Canadian team’s NHL jerseys? You could auction those off for buckets of cash for various charities after the games. Or, maybe even go with the Winnipeg Falcons jerseys that they opened the 2004 World Cup of Hockey with.

Either way, the logo will stick around with World Championships and World Junior teams. And it won’t matter in London 2012, because no one will watch when the NHLers are still playing games in North America.