Team Canada Unveils Goal Song for the 2026 World Junior Championship
Team Canada has officially announced its goal song for the upcoming 2026 World Junior Championship. During a pre-tournament exhibition match on Wednesday, they introduced “Courage (for Hugh MacLennan)” by the renowned Canadian band, The Tragically Hip.
Pre-Tournament Action in Kitchener
The Canadian squad kicked off their pre-tournament exhibitions in Kitchener, Ontario, facing off against Sweden. The highlight of the game came when Gavin McKenna maneuvered past three Swedish defenders to deliver a perfect cross-ice pass to Brady Martin. Martin then made an impressive one-timer shot, putting Canada on the scoreboard. Immediately following the goal, “Courage” resonated through the arena, marking a joyful moment for the team and its supporters.
A Tradition of Goal Songs
This year’s selection marks the fifth goal song that Team Canada has adopted for the World Junior Championships in recent tournaments. In 2025, they chose “Live is Life” by Opus. The song prior was “Ordinary Day” by Great Big Sea in 2024, followed by “Heave Away” by Fables in 2023, and “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the summer rescheduled tournament of 2022.
The Americans’ Goal Song Rivalry
As Team Canada gears up to reclaim the World Juniors title, they’re keenly aware of the competition from Team USA, who has held the championship for the past two years. The American team found inspiration in their own goal song, “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, which contributed to their success in Ottawa. This track became so integral to their team culture that USA Hockey decided to use it again during the 4 Nations Face-Off last February.
Exploring Canada’s Choice: “Courage”
The choice of “Courage” carries significant meaning. This song was dedicated to the esteemed Canadian author Hugh MacLennan, who was honored as a companion of the Order of Canada in 1967 for his literary contributions, particularly concerning Franco-English relations. MacLennan was one of the first writers to weave Canadiana into his work, and his book The Watch That Ends the Night inspired the song.
Originally released as a single from The Tragically Hip’s third album Fully Completely, this track achieved remarkable success, selling 200,000 copies shortly after its debut. The band’s impact on Canadian music was solidified when they received a Juno Award for Canadian entertainer of the year the following year.
Looking Ahead to the Championship
As anticipation builds for the 2026 World Junior Championship, Canadian fans are hoping that “Courage” will usher in good fortune and memorable moments for the team. This championship will be hosted on American soil, specifically in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The pre-tournament festivities are already in motion. The main round-robin action kicks off on Boxing Day, December 26. The inaugural match will feature Slovakia going head-to-head with Sweden at 1 p.m. ET at the Grand Casino Arena, home of the Minnesota Wild. Later that evening, Canada will launch their campaign against Czechia at 8:30 p.m. ET at the 3M Arena at Mariucci, the NCAA Minnesota Golden Gophers’ home ground.
A Brief Correction
To clarify past details, it’s worth noting that during the summer tournament of 2022, Canada’s goal song was indeed “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song “Hey Baby” by DJ Ötzi was utilized during the winter 2022 World Juniors, which were ultimately cut short due to COVID-19 and later rescheduled.
Final Thoughts for Fans
As the excitement builds for the World Juniors, the choice of “Courage” signifies not only a musical tradition but also a cultural homage. This tournament is shaping up to be another thrilling chapter in the storied history of junior hockey, and fans across Canada are eagerly cheering for their team as the games approach.
