Anti-mask protesters have been… a thing, during the pandemic. Thus far, hockey has been somewhat free from association with it (except some side-eyeing the Lightning celebrations). But on Friday there was news that the Vancouver Canucks long time anthem singer, Mark Donnelly, was going to sing O Canada at an anti-mask rally.
This particular rally, which includes a march at 1:30 p.m. and an onstage singalong to close the event, is seasonally inspired. An event poster shared on Facebook by organizer Ryan Kulbaba declares: We oppose government orders and will gather for the holidays!
British Columbians remain under stay-at-home orders and a mask mandate. Residents have been instructed to avoid social gatherings of all kinds and sizes as health officials work to suppress the second wave of COVID-19.
Kulbaba has been involved in several protests against COVID-19 restrictions. At an anti-mask demonstration in November, Kulbaba urged attendees to shop without masks and film their interactions with store managers.
The Surrey resident was also the lead organizer behind the B.C. Freedom Mega Rally, a two-day event outside the art gallery in October.
Kulbabas latest event drew a headliner. Donnelly, likely the citys most recognizable anthem performer, will be singing O Canada at noon and performing again just before 4 p.m., according to the rallys itinerary.
Donnelly confirmed to Postmedia that he will sing at the controversial event.
Shortly after news broke, the Canucks owner sent this:
We wish Mark Donnelly the very best of what he deserves.
In other news, the NHL and NHLPA continue to have discussions about how and when they will play the next season. There wasnt a whole lot of news, but we have started to hear some details coming out:
Roster size (taxi squads?) for the upcoming NHL season remains an open issue still TBD between NHL/NHLPA. In what will be a rather unique season, as we’ve seen with football, roster flexibility will be paramount. That will be an interesting item for the NHL/NHLPA to iron out.
Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 4, 2020
So the details you can find there: there are discussions of a 52 to 56 game season, with games starting January 15th. Training camps would therefore start right after New Years. The idea would be for the season, finishing with the Cup Finals, ending before the Summer Olympics takes up all the time of the NBC broadcasting and coverage.
ONTO THE LINKS
There was an amazing interview with Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev:
There were some interesting bits, but the star of the show was SDAs brother who interview-bombed him.
Gillian Kemmerer (GK): Well go with that. Tell me a little about your family, because I know that youre not the only hockey player under the same roof.
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (SDA): Yeah, I have a brother. He used to play in the KHL too, but hes not playing professionally anymore. I always tried to learn from him. I watched a lot of his games when I was young, and he would tell me what to do and show me things on the ice. It was helpful.
(Voice from the same room): His brother is a legend.
GK: Who was that? Your dad?
SDA: No, it was my brother.
GK: Put him on the phone, please.
Alex Fedoseyev (AF): Hello, my name is Alex. Nice to meet you.
GK: Hi, Alex. Tell me something funny about your little brother.
AF: There are no funny stories about this guy, because hes not funny. And no jokes about him, nothing. Hes not an interesting guy.
GK: The implication here is that you are much more interesting, obviously.
AF: Oh yes, thats true. You can write it like that. People in North America and Canada are unlucky because they didnt see me. Tell all of the presidents, all of the coaches in the NHL, they have to watch my game.
Ovchinnikov picked up another goal and assist today.
He played 25:33. Take out the one game he left due to injury, and he’s averaging over 24.5 minutes per game. https://t.co/BZqKPfiext
Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) December 4, 2020
Joe Miller got his first point of his USHL career, a nice set up on a PP goal:
One meme to finish the day.
AROUND THE HOCKEY WORLD
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