Team Canada will be using Tragically Hip classic as goal song for 2026 World Juniors

I won't deny that I'm an old school, dyed in the wool Canadian hockey fan.

So you can imagine the hatred that I've developed for 'Free Bird' by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Team USA, of course, used a version of the classic rock song for the goal song at the 2025 World Juniors, spurring them on to a gold medal performance.

Remember this?

Who am I kidding though? The song rips. Once I get past the triggering aspect and just appreciate it for what it is, there's no denying that this is a tremendous goal song. It's patriotic, it's memorable and it makes you want to get up on your feet. In short, it's perfect.

Team Canada is hoping to change their fortunes as the World Juniors in 2026 and they'll also go with a patriotic spin on their goal song for 2026. As we learned in pre-tournament action last night against Sweden, Canada will be rocking 'Courage' by the Tragically Hip, a Canadian rock classic.

Check it out:

Love the Hip, love this song, but I'm not sure if it comes across quite as impactful as 'Free Bird'... thoughts? Maybe it'll grown on me?