I love this story: Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston hit a chord (no pun intended) in explaining why Team Canada goaltender Braden Holtby is wearing a Tragically Hip-themed mask during the World Cup of Hockey:
“Everyone knows the story in Canada,” Holtby told Sportsnet in an interview. “It’s one of those things that has turned a positive from a negative. It’s pretty amazing kind of what Canadians do. I grew up and I can have vivid memories of listening to my first Hip songs. We even had a class in school, a little part of it that was based on (the song) ‘Wheat Kings’ – I mean you just remember it. It’s Canadian, it’s the Hip, and with me being a huge music lover (it made sense).
“This being the biggest stage for hockey and a lot of Gord’s songs have hockey in them, I mean it ties the two in and I think it’ll be very good.”
The plan, ultimately, is to auction the mask off for charity. Word has already been passed along to the band and Holtby hopes the Hip will determine where the money ends up.
He’s never met Downie or other members of the band, but has long been a fan.
Johnston continues, and the mask looks awesome:
Braden Holtby’s mask that he will be auctioning off after the WCOH to support Gord Downie’s charity of choice. pic.twitter.com/qiXwXm2eIr
— Scott Salmond (@SAMMYSAYS2010) September 9, 2016
Closer look at Braden Holtby’s mask created by @artofdave #TheHip #WCOH2016 pic.twitter.com/Qjs3uuwuVJ
— Christine Simpson (@SNChrisSimpson) September 9, 2016
