From Billboard:
Canadian music icon Stompin’ Tom Connors, whose songs about every nook and cranny of Canada, its people and favorite pastime included “The Hockey Song,” “Sudbury Saturday Night,” “Bud The Spud,” “Tillsonburg” and “Big Joe Mufferaw,” died Wednesday of natural causes at his home, in Halton Hills, Ontario, his family at his side. He was 77.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted “We have lost a true Canadian original. R.I.P. Stompin’’ Tom Connors. You played the best game that could be played.”
The 11 o’clock news across the country dedicated segments to Connors, some even leading with the story. Twitter and Facebook were filled with dedications and personal comments about meeting or working with him or simply enjoying his music or his true patriotic love for Canada.
At the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators game, his enduring anthem “The Hockey Song” was played in its entirety after news of his death was announced on the scoreboard. The song is played during every third period. The lyric includes: “Oh, the good old hockey game is the best game you can name. And the best game you can name is the good old hockey game.”
• Stompin’ Tom Connors: http://www.stompintom.com