I really tried to spread the Skinny love around to other Canes’ players this year. I took Jiri Tlusty under my loving wing with fantastic results, but nothing could hold a candle to my #53. In the words of Brokeback Mountain, “I wish I knew how to quit you.” OK, ‘quit’ is a strong word…perhaps ‘obsess’ would fit better. Watch these videos and you will understand why he is so gosh darn addictive…

Happy Birthday Jeff Skinner - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog

But the more hockey I watch the more I am perplexed by comments about the tunes. Granted some teams have their own signature songs like New Jersey’s “Running With the Devil.” Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets, has a great DJ, Nick Johnson, who selects their music and even takes requests via Twitter. But for the most part, hockey arenas and all sports arenas for that matter play the same music.

While it would be more constructive to tell you the songs I wish I would hear, I think it would be better to torture your ears just like mine and give you Songs I Never Want to Hear in a Hockey Arena Again.

Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses

This song is usually played before a face-off in the 3^rd period here in Raleigh or for overtime. It’s the musical clue that we’re near the end of the game and things are very tense! For me this song brings back memories of high school, which looked more like Freaks and Geeks than Happy Days. Aside from their cover of “Live and Let Die” I pretty much despise Guns N’ Roses. I would prefer to skip the high school time machine, and my life is more than complete without the presence of Axl Rose

Cotton-Eye Joe – Rednex

Back in 1994 the Swedish techno/country band Rednex released a pox on humanity by recording a very special version of the classic country and bluegrass song “Cotton-Eye Joe” (also known as “Cotton-Eyed Joe”). There are so many things wrong with that sentence; I don’t even know where to start. According to Wikipedia, Rednex is very popular in Germany. I think that pretty much covers it. If you wish to scrub your ears of that nonsense, here is a proper version of the song that is played during the 7^th inning stretch at Texas Rangers games.

Come on Feel the Noize – Quiet Riot

Yes readers, I realize I did not spell the name of that song correctly. While I am usually a stickler for details, I prefer to go with a PG-13 spelling. While legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads founded this band, all I think of is the 80’s incarnation and the voice of Kevin DuBrow. His voice does not give my ears pleasure. I can say with 100% confidence that I never want to hear this song again as long as I live.

Sandstorm – Darude

Sandstorm is a techno song recorded by a Finnish fellow, Ville Virtanen, who goes by the stage name Darude. While I love most things Finnish, this song does not qualify. It’s a type of music known by the young people as “trance.” To me it is the type of music that you play when you want someone to quickly give himself up in a hostage situation. It’s also played heavily in Rogers Arena by the Vancouver Canucks. Only Canucks fans like the Canucks.

While I could go on for days, I think this is enough musical torture for now. I will however, leave you Rebecca Roudman‘s really creative version of an overplayed 80’s hair metal song. But you’ll like this one. I promise.

Have any arena songs that make you crazy? (Save the Nickelback jokes please.) Leave us a comment!

Find us on Facebook at CardiacCane or on Twitter: @Esbee92, @CardiacCaneFS, , @caniac176, @CaniacCaz and @peacelovepuck. I get really excited when arenas play Pantera and you can be sure I will tweet about it!

Songs This Hurricanes Fan Never Wants to Hear in a Hockey Arena Again - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog

In most cases in professional sports, that “problem” 100% WILL end up on the world stage. Especially with the internet and social networks. Once your “issue” is out there these days, you have to wait for the next person to screw up, and screw up way worse than you. While the hockey world tends to be relatively quiet compared to some other sports (football I’m looking at you buddy!), whenever you put 20 plus different personalities and egos on a team, and make them fight through 82 games with other teams for a cup, guess what that equals? Problems people, problems.

Let’s first address everyone’s favorite current PR Problem, Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks. Mr. Kane “allegedly” got sloppy drunk on Cinco de Mayo and took many photos, which then ended up on the internet. Go figure, alcohol + photography + All Star Hockey player never hurt anyone right? Wrong! Patrick Kane has thoroughly embarrassed himself and by association, his teammates and his organization. Kane received a great honor of being drafted as the first overall in 2007 to an Original Six NHL Team at the young age of 19. I understand boys will be boys and he didn’t get to go party in college like others his age. But guess what? Literally thousands of people would kill to be in Kane’s skates. I don’t care if you drink, I don’t care if you take pictures of it, but know that they will end up in the wrong hands and YOU will pay the price. Patrick Kane is currently a joke, a punchline for all of the internet. I’ve seen those Cinco photos shopped more than the “Kanye West/MTV Music Awards” incident in the last two weeks.

Chad LaRose has been appointed Patrick Kane's new babysitter. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-US PRESSWIRE

Then you have the rumors that have started to unfurl from this “incident”. Patrick Kane has a terrible temper. Patrick Kane gets kicked out of bars. Patrick Kane choked a woman. People will remember this Kaner and they will bring it up over and over and over again, whether or not it’s true. I’m fairly sure I can say with certainty that your organization is not happy with you right now, and they’ll be keeping a close eye on your activities. This is certainly not Kane’s first strike: he was also arrested in 2009 for attacking a cab driver in his hometown of Buffalo just a year after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy and one year before winning the Stanley Cup. Can’t imagine our Carolina Hurricanes Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner ending up in a situation like that. As for the actions of our Captain Eric Staal during his bachelor party – boys will be boys!

Now let’s turn the public eye to coach of the New York Rangers, John Tortorella. Notoriously a hot head and for treating the media like absolute dirt. He’s famous for 30 second press conferences and “next question” – so famous he inspired this rap.

Does it make him look bad? Yes. Does the media hate him? Most likely. Does he care? Doesn’t look like it. If the Rangers weren’t in the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now, would Torts have a job? NEXT QUESTION! It would appear as if the Rangers organization doesn’t much care how Tortorella acts as long as he’s winning. He’s been fined several times by the NHL for criticizing officials. What the Rangers organization needs to be cognizant of is, over time, how many fans will turn away from the organization because of Tortorella’s behavior? Will they come back if he’s not winning or when a new coach takes over someday? Nonetheless, when you coach an NHL team, especially one in a market like New York City, you have some responsibility to the media, whether you like it or not.

There is a term in PR that is probably not unfamiliar called “spin” – meaning, how can this story be pitched to the media in a way that will ultimately be beneficial. It’s a little easier with Torts, because again, he’s winning. Patrick Kane, you’re on a slippery slope.

One of these Staals doesn't have to listen to you Torts. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USPRESSWIRE

Washington Capitals Coach Dale Hunter announced today he would be leaving the organization to spend more time with his family in Canada. Hunter is also the owner of the OHL’s London Knights. It may very well be true that Hunter wants to spend more time with his family and he should absolutely be commended for that. But I literally just saw an interview with Caps GM George McPhee and he made sure to focus on the family side of things saying that everyone has a family and they should always be number one. Wonderful, but do you really think he’s going to come out and say, “Dale cares more about his OHL team than this one that might be about to fall apart.” Not likely. It makes the Caps organization look better either way if Hunter is leaving to spend time with family. Coincidence that we hear just hours later that Caps forward Alexander Semin and goalie Tomas Vokoun will be leaving? Spin, spin, spin the family story. And not to worry, the rumors have already started that Semin will be coming to Carolina.

Of course I do not work for an NHL PR team, but many of these issues are similar across any business or organization. All of the players and coaches in the NHL most likely receive media training, and if not, they are probably not encouraged to speak with the media. But hello, is there any training Philadelphia Flyers Ilya Bryzgalov? I feel for that brave PR worker. Plus, Bryz is not wrong, the Universe is humongous big.

This doesn’t even take into account the dealing with every day issues that come with trades, injuries, suspensions, fines, divorces, etc, etc, etc.

Ultimately you have to trust the people in your organization to handle themselves professionally, and if they don’t, you trust your PR person to clean it up.

What’s the worst PR problem you think an NHL organization faces? Chat with us on Facebook at  CardiacCane or on Twitter:@CardiacCaneFS, @Esbee92, @peacelovepuck, @caniac176 and @CaniacCaz.

I Got 99 PR Problems And Skinner Ain’t One - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog