NHL music videos to jumpstart your week

In addition to writing about hockey, I frequently review hard rock and metal CDs for the Georgia Straight newspaper in Vancouver, and whenever possible, I like to insert a blatant yet appropriate hockey reference. It’s no coincidence, in my view, that rousing, guitar-driven 80’s music continues to rock NHL arenas even decades after going out of fashion. Really, how could you celebrate a spectacular Sidney Crosby stickhandling rush and top-shelf goal with Nirvana’s “I Hate Myself And Want To Die”?

Here are five YouTube hockey music videos to jumpstart your week with an adrenalin rush. (By the way, Chesney Hawkes isn’t country, despite what you might assume from his name.)

Van Halen’s “Top Of The World” / (Team Canada wins 2002 Olympic gold)

Iron Maiden’s “The Wicker Man” / (Alexander Ovechkin)

Chesney Hawkes’s “The One And Only” / (20 best goals)

Foreigner’s “Juke Box Hero” / (Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund)

AC/DC’s “Back In Black” / (hockey highlights)

And whether you’re a passionate Calgary Flames fan or hate them to pieces, this couldn’t-be-more-80’s, officially sanctioned clip for “Red Hot” will give you a great laugh.