Hockey Day in Canada

It's a question we ask ourselves a lot. What's it mean to be Canadian? (eh?)

Ask most people from outside the Great White North and they'd probably tell you Canada's a polite country. An accepting nation, diverse and unique in its heritage. As Jon Stewart once noted, we may be the only country that gained our independence by essentially asking nicely. Others'd crack a joke about flannel wearing hosers chugging a cold one. Not that they're far off...

Cross this vast land and you'll find unique cultures and landscapes, endless as the highways seem. Each province and territory their own story, their own way of doing things. But the common thread, the theme that unites us all is: the game.

Lets face it: hockey's just that most places, a game. Something to pass the time. But here, its much, much more. It's embedded in the fabric of the land, in the dreams of every kid who ever picked up a hockey stick. It's a point of pride and togetherness. It unites us, creates lifelong friendships and memories, brings us joy and sorrow with every shot, every missed opportunity and every game winning goal. Like no other characteristic, the passion and love of the game resonates from coast to coast to coast.

Whether its a lake, river, outdoor rink or, sneaking on to the Rideau Canal late at night, every sheet of ice is more than just a reminder of the harsh climate, its an opportunity. A chance to for the game to take hold and breath new life into the depths of winter. Each time it unfolds anew, the ebb and flow gracefully choreographed, the chill but a distant memory. Speed, grace and strength melding into the finest test of athletics there is to offer.

There is no other sport, no other subject that so seemingly unites out nation. Whenever our best are matched up against the rest the world has to offer there is an expectation, a demand that we succeed. It's our game. Our gift to the world. Our athletes know what it means to the people cheering them on at home, in bars and basements across the country. From the kid who wants nothing more than to be just like his idle, an old timer remembering the glory days, or the new immigrant who wants to embrace their new land. This is what we're made of. That will and determination.

The selfless nature of our superstars from Howe to Richard, Orr to Gretzky, Lemieux to Yzerman, Crosby and McDavid. This is what we aspire to. Hockey not only epitomises what we see in thees athletes, but what we see in ourselves as a nation. Tough, unassuming, yet willing to stand up for each other and what we believe. To sacrifice and focus for the greater goal. It's the best of us brought out for all to see. Hockey Day in Canada comes once a year but truly it's never far from our minds. It's our game, our day. Celebrate it always.