From TO411 Daily:

CBC, in conjunction with leading music producers Nettwerk Music Group, will conduct a nationwide search, inviting Canadians to write and record an original song for CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA. Then, in a debate that is certain to dominate conversations throughout the country, fans and a jury of experts will choose the best new composition.

CBC will offer $100,000 for the winning song, which will then become the new “official theme song” of CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA and will be heard in every broadcast. A portion of the new theme song’s royalties will be donated to minor hockey in Canada. Details surrounding the contest will be announced next week.

Awesome. I’m as sorry as the next fan that Canada is losing its de facto national anthem, but this is exactly the right way for CBC to replace it; if the fans choose it, they can’t freak out about the choice.

Besides, it’s like a hockey fan’s version of Canadian or American Idol—except in this case, I actually give a damn.