Hockey fans rage at national anthem and bizarre walk-out music for Rangers and Panthers players at Winter Classic
Hockey fans have voiced their frustration after organizers opted for a bizarre walk-out song prior to the NHL Winter Classic.
The Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers met on Friday night for the annual outdoor regular season game which, this year, was held in Miami, Florida.
However, fans were left incensed before the game even began, after the players for both teams walked out while Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi performed ‘Despacito’.
Much to the bemusement of hockey fans, the four-time Latin Grammy Award winner stood center stage as the Panthers and Rangers emerged onto the ice on Friday.
Fans quickly questioned the decision to have the 2017 hit performed live by Fonsi, with many claiming it didn’t fit with traditional Winter Classic values.
And it didn’t take long for them to air that on social media. Taking to X, one fan wrote: ‘This has got to be the worst Winter Classic lol why [have] they got Luis Fonzi playing despacito while announcing the players to the ice’.
Hockey fans voiced their anger after a bizarre walk-out song played prior to the Winter Classic
Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi performed his 2017 hit ‘Despacito’ on Friday night
Fonsi stood center stage as he performed while the players made their way to the ice
‘I’m so utterly confused by this winter classic. like stop trying to be “cool”. it’s a classic for a reason. why are the rangers walking out to despacito rn’, said another.
One disgruntled fan also said: ‘The New York Rangers are walking out to Despacito right now in Miami that is 63°F What is 2026’.
Another wrote: ‘laughing so incredibly hard at the rangers and panthers walking out to despacito at the nhl winter classic’.
In response to that post, another said: ‘Just awful lol. Who is their target audience?’
Meanwhile, one fan said: ‘Why tf am I watching “Despacito” being performed at a Hockey game lol. They said it was Luis Fonsi’s “LATEST” hit. Brother that s*** came out 9 years ago’.
While fans vented their anger at ‘Despacito’ being performed, that wasn’t the only musical performance that they critiqued.
Similarly, after Sgt. Emily Nichols of the Florida National Guard sang The Star-Spangled Banner, fans took to social media to rip into the performance.
One user said: ‘I can’t stand the lady singing the national anthem I am so sorry’.
Fans similarly took issue with the rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner performed by Sgt. Emily Nichols of the Florida National Guard on Friday night prior to the Winter Classic
Fans quickly questioned the decision to have Fonsi perform Despacito on Friday night
Meanwhile, other fans took aim at the Sgt. Nichols over her national anthem rendition
‘Did that National Anthem singer think this was an American Idol audition,’ another wrote.
The incident comes just one week after NBA star LeBron James was accused of ‘disrespecting’ the national anthem prior to the Lakers’ Christmas Day game.
Footage showed James warming up while a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner was performed and, seemingly, even took the opportunity to practice his golf swing.
The Lakers star has previously admitted in recent months that he’s become infatuated with golf and has been spotted on the course on multiple occasions.
