NHL Policy on National Anthem: What You Need to Know
Contents
- NHL’s policy on National Anthem
- What you need to know about NHL’s policy
- How the policy affects fans and players
- Why the policy was put in place
- What the consequences are for violating the policy
- How the policy has been received
- What other leagues do regarding the National Anthem
- What the future of the NHL’s policy could be
- What impact the policy has on the game
- How the policy could be changed
The NHL has a policy on the national anthem that all players must stand during the performance. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
NHL’s policy on National Anthem
The National Hockey League (NHL) has a policy regarding the playing of the National Anthem before its games. The policy was enacted in 1968, and has been consistently applied since then. It is as follows:
“The national anthem should be performed prior to every NHL game and all players and team personnel shall stand at attention.”
There are two specific exceptions to this rule. First, if a game is played in a nation that does not have a recognized national anthem then the anthem of the home team’s nation will be played instead. Second, if a game is played in Canada, then “O Canada” will be played instead of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
This policy has been criticized by some who feel that it is disrespectful to those who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces as well as to those who have lost their lives for their country. However, the NHL has stood by its policy, stating that it is a matter of respect for all nations and their anthems.
What you need to know about NHL’s policy
The NHL has a policy that requires all players to stand during the national anthem but it also gives them the option to stay in the locker room if they prefer.
The policy was put into place in 2017, amid public backlash against then- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who were kneeling during the anthem to protest racial injustice
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that the league is “respectful of people’s views and beliefs,” and that players are free to express themselves “in different ways.”
“We think our fans expect us to stand up for the values embodied in our country’s National Anthem ” Bettman said. “And that’s what we’re going to do.”
Players who choose to stay in the locker room during the anthem are not disciplined by the league.
How the policy affects fans and players
Since the 2017-2018 NHL season the league has had a policy in place regarding the National Anthem The policy was created in response to player protests against social injustice, which began in the 2016 NFL season
Players are not required tostand during the anthem, but they are encouraged to do so. If a player chooses to protest, he must do so off the ice and out of view of fans. Players are also allowed to wear team jerseys while protesting.
The policy has been controversial, with some fans arguing that players should be required to stand for the anthem and that protests are disrespectful. Other fans argue that players have a right to protest and that the league should do more to support its black and brown players.
What do you think about the NHL’s policy on the national anthem?
Why the policy was put in place
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the policy was put in place “to make sure that we’re focusing on the game, on the excitement and the fanfare that goes with it.”
Bettman said the decision to have players stand for the anthem was made “unanimously” by the league’s Board of Governors
The policy comes after several players, including San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, were booed by fans while taking a knee during the anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.
What the consequences are for violating the policy
The National Hockey League has a policy that requires all players and team personnel to stand during the playing of the national anthem The policy was enacted in the wake of then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protests against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the anthem.
The league made it clear that players are not required to participate in the anthem, but if they do choose to kneel or sit, they must do so in the Locker Room Players who violate the policy will be subject to discipline from the league, up to and including a fine or suspension.
The NHL is not alone in requiring its players to stand for the anthem; Major League Baseball the National Football League and NASCAR have all enacted similar policies.
How the policy has been received
Since the NHL policy on national anthem was announced, there has been a lot of public debate. Some people feel that the policy is a good way to show respect for the country, while others feel that it is disrespectful to those who do not want to stand for the anthem.
There has also been debate about whether or not the policy is actually enforceable. Many people believe that the policy is unenforceable and that it will only serve to alienate fans who do not agree with it.
Critics of the policy have also pointed out that it does not address the issue of player protests during other parts of the game, such as during pre-game warm-ups or during interviews. It is also unclear what will happen if a player decides to kneel during the anthem.
The NHL has said that they will continue to talk to players and fans about the policy and make adjustments as necessary.
What other leagues do regarding the National Anthem
In light of the recent controversy surrounding NFL players taking a knee during the National Anthem we thought it would be helpful to provide a refresher on the NHL’s policy.
As stated in the NHL Rulebook, Section 1.8, “All persons designated as on-ice officials shall stand at attention on the referee’s circle at Center Ice during the playing of ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’”
Furthermore, theRulebook goes on to say that “the home team shall be responsible for having an adequate and satisfactory public address system to play ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ adequately and satisfactorily.”
So there you have it. The NHL requires that all on-ice officials stand at attention during the National Anthem but leaves it up to the home team to ensure that the Anthem is played adequately over the arena PA system.
What the future of the NHL’s policy could be
In the wake of the recent controversy surrounding NFL players kneeling during the national anthem many are wondering what the future of the NHL’s policy could be.
Currently, the NHL has no formal policy on the national anthem However, in light of recent events, it is possible that this could change in the future.
There are a few potential options for what the NHL’s policy could be. One option is that players could be required to stand during the national anthem. Another option is that players could be given the choice to either stand or kneel.
Whatever the NHL’s eventual policy ends up being, one thing is for sure: the league will continue to be a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion.
What impact the policy has on the game
On October 7th, the NHL released a statement regarding their new policy on the playing of the national anthem before games. The policy states that “all teams will honour the tradition of anthems at our games” but also gives teams the option to “stay in their locker rooms” if they prefer. The statement has caused a lot of debate and raised a lot of questions. Here’s what you need to know about the NHL’s new policy on the national anthem.
The most important thing to know is that this policy is entirely optional for teams. They are not required to stand for the anthem and they are not required to stay in their locker rooms This is a choice that each team can make on their own, and it’s one that they can change from game to game if they so choose.
Some people have questioned why the NHL would release such a policy, especially given the current political climate in the United States However, it’s important to remember that hockey is a sport with players from all over the world, and the vast majority of NHL games are played in Canada. The league is simply trying to be respectful of all players and fans by giving everyone the option to participate in or avoid the anthem as they see fit.
At this point, it’s unclear how teams will handle this new policy. Some may choose to continue standing for the anthem as they always have, while others may opt to stay in their locker rooms instead. It’s also possible that we could see players taking a knee during the anthem in protest, as we’ve seen in other sports leagues like the NFL. No matter what happens, one thing is for sure: this new policy is sure to start a lot of conversations among hockey fans about patriotism, politics, and unity.
How the policy could be changed
In light of recent developments around professional athletes kneeling during the national anthem, the NHL has been under pressure to change its policy. The current policy states that all players must stand during the anthem, but there has been speculation that the league could soon change that.
If the NHL does decide to change its policy, it would not be the first major sports league to do so. The NFL now allows players to kneel during the anthem, and many other leagues have also relaxed their policies in recent years
It remains to be seen whether or not the NHL will make any changes to its policy, but it is certainly something that is being discussed at the highest levels of the league.