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Dedication, sacrifice, and love NASHVILLE, TN — It may not be “O Canada,” but the song “I Was There” will surely resonate with many hockey-loving Canadians. Country crooner Paul Brandt recorded the song in October for the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships that’s being held until Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Calgary. Born and raised in Alberta, the country star was chosen to compose the theme song because of his connection to Alberta and the way he represents Albertan values in his music. Writing a song about hockey, a sport dearly loved by millions, was a bit daunting for the 39-year-old at first. “Hockey for people, it’s more than just a game,” he told The Edmonton Journal. “In some ways, it’s a religion.” But with an outpouring of inspiration from the public sent by email, tweets, and Facebook, it only took the award-winning musician 20 minutes (and a couple of weeks of tweaking) to boil all the hockey-related emotions, memories, and symbolism into a stirring song. “It’s about dedication. It’s about sacrifice. It’s about love. It’s about the willingness to give everything,” Brandt told The Journal, explaining the meaning behind the song. Coincidentally, these same words also describe what Jesus Christ did for Brandt. “When Jesus came, He really changed everything,” he told Living Light News. “It’s the message of the gospel – of Jesus coming to save us from our sins by being the ultimate sacrifice when He died on the cross – it’s the thing that changed my life and that I pin all of
Baseball fan shows true colours PEORIA, IL — Joe Couri’s co-workers know him as a man who “comes to work with a new story at least once or twice a week.” And does he have a story to tell this time. The man from central Illinois happened upon a 2011 World Series Baseball cap autographed by the champion St. Louis Cardinals. The 38-year-old was driving on Interstate 94 when he saw the cap lying on the off-ramp among the debris where an accident had just occurred. He said he immediately identified the black and white cap because his brother gave him a similar one as a gift, but without the prized autographs. A few local baseball autograph experts have investigated the signatures, including one from MVP David Freese, and say they appear authentic. But what’s more intriguing is that Couri, a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, told The Journal Star that he’d like to give it back to its rightful owner. A photo of the person wearing the cap or being able to identify the most unexpected name on it would suffice as proof of ownership. As of press time, no one has come forward to claim the cap. Couri said, if it remains unclaimed, he plans to donate the autographed memorabilia to a charity founded by Philadelphia Phillies’ Jim Thome, a Peoria native. The organization is having an auction in January to raise money for a children’s hospital.
How hockey shaped a nation MISSISAUGA, ON — Hockey isn’t just a sport – it’s part of what defines Canada and many who call The Great White North home. But who could’ve known that the beloved sport also influenced everything from Canadian greats to modern Canadian dentistry? Co-written by hockey icon Paul Henderson and veteran sportswriter Jim Prime, How Hockey Explains Canada argues how hockey’s influence goes far beyond building Canadians’ patriotic spirit. In the book released last October, Prime spoke to 35 Canadian icons and was surprised at how much of their identity – and the country – was moulded by hockey. “It is a game that reflects our geography, it reflects our cold weather, it reflects us coming together as a people in hard times,” he told CBC. Henderson, who scored the Goal of the Century at the ’72 Summit Series, told The Toronto Star, “There are a lot of things in Canada that make us (who we are) ... But they will never pull the country together (like hockey does).” While hockey will remain part of Henderson’s identity, he reveals in the book that his true identity is built on something more important. Henderson writes that even at the height of his career, he felt “frustrated and unsatisfied.” Then someone told him about the Bible. “I became a student of the Bible, spending hours reading it and other Christian books. It was only after two years of intense investigation that I decided to become a follower of Jesus – a Christian,” he wrote. “Obviously ’72 was a wonderful moment,” he told Living Light News. “The difference is that receiving God’s love and forgiveness has eternal significance.” Henderson’s currently touring the country with the jersey he wore during the historic final game, celebrating the series’ 40th anniversary. The tour wraps up in February.
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