“Hello out there / We’re on the air / It’s ‘Hockey Night’ tonight / Tension grows / The whistle blows / And the puck goes down the ice / The goalie jumps / And the players bump / And the fans all go insane / Someone roars, “[insert team of choice] scores” / At the good ol’ hockey game.”
As winter sports lovers direct their attention today to Italy for the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026), we accept that the focus on new music may take a back seat for a few weeks as athletes from around the world compete for Olympics glory.
Dropping the opening lines from this popular Stompin’ Tom Connors tune ought to tell you which tournament Team GDW shall be watching closely – especially with professional NHL stars participating in the games for the first time since 2014. Whether you are rooting for your favorite NHL player, or your national team, rest assured that we’re tapping into the spirit of the Olympics with today’s hockey themed featured tune.
With the release of “Take a Shot on Me,” emerging Ottawa-born and now Toronto-based singer-songwriter Grace Marr earns her GDW debut with a heartfelt anthem inspired by women’s professional hockey. Driven by powerhouse vocals and a chant-ready hook, the song nods to queer love and reflects the cultural momentum surrounding the PWHL and the growing visibility of women’s sports (Official Press Release). An ode to hockey and queer love – yeah, how many had that winning combo on their bingo cards today?
“I was at an Ottawa Charge game … when I first got the idea to write a song about having a crush on a hockey player,” Grace shares. “I kept coming back to it the more I followed the PWHL and the Toronto Sceptres season, until eventually ‘Take a Shot on Me’ came to life in a writing session with my pal, Sagèlee Archer. I’ve become such a fan that I even recorded the vocals in my living room with a Sceptres game on mute in the background – and yes, I absolutely paused halfway through singing takes to watch replays.”
By no means a hockey bandwagoner, Grace Marr holds a deeply personal connection to the sport – her father played hockey both at home and in Europe, which sparked her interest in Canada’s Game at a young age – bringing both her passion for the sport and for songwriting to the forefront with this latest release. “With the Olympics coming up and the movement of women’s sports just getting started, I hope my silly, sorta gay, pretty Canadian, hockey love song can contribute to the culture and community that these athletes have been pouring into for decades,” Grace adds in closing. “If you haven’t been to a PWHL game yet – get your tickets!”
With a total run time of just 120 seconds, this ditty fills the void left by those frequent TV timeouts. Essential listening for your sports-themed gatherings or blasting through your earbuds at the Timmies drive-thru if hockey ain’t your thing. Nowhere in the playbook do the rules state that Marr’s tune cannot be played during the curling tourney too…
Photo Credit: Clarissa Cheung
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
