Legendary Rush drummer, Neil Peart, recorded a new rock version of ‘The Hockey Theme” last month.

His rendition of the song made its television debut Thursday night on TSN, kicking off the Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs game. The new track will be heard during select TSN broadcasts throughout the remainder of the NHL season.

In the video accompanying the new song, Peart showcases his custom drum kit that features the logos of all 30 NHL teams.

Peart was more than thrilled to combine two of his favourite interests.

”Hockey totally dominated our lives,” said the rock and roll legend. “Sunday nights with my dad at the St. Catharines Arena cheering on the Junior A Blackhawks, anxiously watching NHL games on television, arguing in the schoolyard over favourite teams and players, trading hockey cards, putting them on our bicycle spokes, and playing on backyard rinks and frozen ponds, on the street, and on those old tabletop games – hockey ruled.”

“Being invited to create a new version of  ’Canada’s Second National Anthem’ for live broadcasts was a huge honour to me, and an exciting musical challenge,” he added.

The song will be available for digital download on iTunes on Tuesday, January 19th.

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Marc Crawford, former coach of the Vancouver Canucks, will rejoin Hockey Night in Canada’s broadcast team, the program announced last Thursday.

Crawford will work as a game analyst. He previously worked on the show in 1998 before becoming the coach of the Vancouver Canucks.

“I couldn’t be more excited to begin my second tenure with Hockey Night in Canada,” Crawford told CBC. “I’ve coached from coast to coast in this country and I have a deep respect for the place that hockey holds in the hearts of Canadians.”

Crawford was born in Belleville and has an NHL coaching record of 470 – 361 – 52. He also coached the Canadian Olympic team in 1998 in Nagano. Before his coaching days, Crawford played for the Vancouver Canucks as a forward.

“We are excited to have Marc Crawford back on Hockey Night in Canada,” show executive producer Sherali Najak told CBC. “Marc’s resume speaks for itself. As a former player and NHL head coach, he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game, which is great for our broadcast.”

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