Courtesy of Brad Frenette at the National Post, an opening list:

1. The Hockey Song, Stompin’ Tom Connors
2. Fifty Mission Cap, Tragically Hip
3 The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Part 1&2, The Rheostatics
4. Hit Somebody, Warren Zevon
5. The Lonely End of the Rink, Tragically Hip
6. Danielle (She Don’t Care About Hockey), by The Hanson Brothers
7. We’re Going to Win, Bryan Adams

Oy… Bryan Adams?? But still, full points to Frenette for having the guts to even start this process.

Most of us have heard the original theme from our earliest memories; it’s almost irreplaceable. CBC must realize that as well, and I expect they already have plans for an entirely new theme song with an original composition.

But if they don’t?

Then my nomination is for a Red Rider tune—or a Tom Cochrane solo bit. But I have no ideas which specific song.

Any other suggestions?

Update 2:41pm PT:CBC says they’re still bargaining for rights to use the current theme music, so our speculations are (fortunately) just a back-up plan for now.

Scott Moore, the executive director of CBC Sports, told Newsworld on Thursday that negotiations for a new licence fee are ongoing with the representatives of composer Dolores Claman.

“We’ve been reaching out to [Claman] and her representative, and haven’t heard back,” Moore said. “We’re prepared to do a deal, we’re prepared to talk, but we’re not prepared to do a deal at all costs.