When Gavin McKenna scored Canada’s opening goal at the World Juniors last night, the 17-year-old forward helped to kickstart a few holiday traditions.
Sure, the possible No. 1 pick in next June’s NHL Entry Draft helped Canada on its way to a 3-0 win over Finland at 2025 edition of the annual U20 world showcase, but what happened after his goal might’ve generated nearly as much buzz.
Following McKenna’s first-period goal, the secret was finally revealed of what Canada would use as its goal song for the entirety of the 2025 edition of the tournament, starting yesterday in Ottawa.
MYSTERY REVEALED!
Live Is Life by Opus is Team Canada’s goal song at the 2025 #WorldJuniors 🎶 pic.twitter.com/XJPNU4HJM0
— BarDown (@BarDown) December 27, 2024
If you’re not familiar with the track by name, you’d still likely recognize its iconic “na-na-na-na-na” chorus. The song had previously been used by the Canadian team at this year’s men’s World Championship, while several players on the roster also used the song at the U18 World Championships this year that featured several players from the World Juniors roster.
But while the song might have some special meaning to Hockey Canada, it turns out the rest of Canada is a bit more divided on it.
Social media had plenty of reaction to the song, with not all of it positive.
Best goal song! https://t.co/cGtEK03Cwx
— Mish(a) (@Misha4Bolts) December 27, 2024
boring , need more hype
— Northern Sabres Boy (@Buffaletsgo) December 27, 2024
Should be a Canadian song
— Sheepy TV (@TwitchSheepy) December 27, 2024
We hope that was a joke or someone lost a bet?
— Monday Nooner (@MondayNooner) December 27, 2024
What the hell was that goal song? 🤮
— Hayden (@HotTakeHayd) December 27, 2024
Whoever says that this wasn’t a good choice is uneducated. I don’t make the rules 🤷♂️ https://t.co/TU5F3ENcSW
— Anthony (@CHtalk1909) December 27, 2024
Many fans were quick to point out they felt it was a departure from other recent crowd pleasers that the country had employed in the past, including a pair of songs the last two years from Atlantic Canada.
i like it but it’ll never be heave away. https://t.co/mjTHUaPfJ6
— alex ★ (@91TAV4RES) December 27, 2024
Here’s what Canada has used at recent World Juniors tournaments, mixing in a whole mix of genres:
- 2017: “We Dem Boyz” – Wiz Khalifa
- 2018 and Winter 2022: “Hey Baby” – DJ Otzi
- 2019: “Don’t Stop the Party” – Pitbull feat. TJR
- 2021: “Loud” – Tim Hicks
- 2022 (Summer): “Can’t Stop” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- 2023: Heave Away – The Fables
- 2024: Ordinary Day – Great Big Sea
After winning gold medals in 2020, 2022 and 2022, Canada is looking to return to the podium this year following a disappointing 2024 tournament where they were shockingly eliminated by Czechia in the quarterfinals.
Canada returns to action Friday night, when they take on Latvia in their second round robin game. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT, where “Live is Life” is all but certain to at least hit the speakers a few times.
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