Canucks News: Henrik Sedin Wants the ‘Viking Clap’, Unfortunately

Henrik Sedin’s 1,000th NHL point in a Vancouver Canucks jersey will mark a special moment that deserves to be celebrated. But please don’t do it with the ‘Viking Clap’.

While this daily Vancouver Canucks news post is generally meant to talk about different articles around the internet, I want to focus today’s edition on a single story. Tonight, the Canucks will face off against the Florida Panthers, giving Henrik Sedin a chance to record his 1,000th NHL point.

If it happens, it will without a doubt be a very special moment. Special moments deserve special celebration, without a doubt.

But, copying things isn’t special.

The ‘Viking Clap’

Rob Williams (Daily Hive) — Hey Vancouver: Henrik Sedin wants you to do the Viking Clap

"Daily Hive has learned that Henrik Sedin told a member of the Canucks front office prior to this season that he would welcome the Viking Clap at Rogers Arena. The conversation was in regards to ways the team could salute their fans, in lieu of the centre ice stick raise the team currently does.Well here’s an idea, let’s use the Viking Clap to salute Henrik."

For those of you who don’t know, this is the ‘Viking Clap’:

A great way for a sports team to salute their fans, and a great way for fans to celebrate a win, the ‘Viking Clap’ was made famous by the Icelandic national soccer team at the UEFA Euro 2016. It was their way to celebrate victory.

And then the Welsh team did it. And then the French.

In a world of copycats, it doesn’t take long for cool things to be copied by others.

Following France’s win over Germany in the Euro’s semifinals, Team France did the clap — and was promptly criticised for it. By fans around Europe and, most notably, the Icelandic team:

To be fair, the ‘Viking Clap’ did not originate in Iceland. It was soccer fans from the small city of Motherwell, Scotland who did it first — at least as far as we know.

Still, the Icelandic team and fans are the ones who made it famous, and that is when the major copying started.

Being from Germany, I might be a bit spoiled. Here in Europe, every club has their own chants and even special songs (or ‘anthems’) written for that club. That is what gives each club a unique identity, and it is what makes cheering for your team fun.

In North America, it’s mostly all the same. “Let’s go, Rangers, let’s go”, “let’s go, Red Wings, let’s go” or “go, Preds, go” — there’s really nothing unique about chants (if there even are any).

Guess what’s way more fun. Making your own.

Daily Hive writer Rob Williams initiated the creation of a Canucks fan group that was supposed to be a hockey version of soccer supporters — it worked. Now, take it to the next step. Don’t copy others, do your own thing.

Next: Canucks History -- Trading Pavel Bure

Don’t get me wrong, the ‘Viking Clap’ is awesome. It’s intimidating and fun at the same time. With Henrik Sedin being from Scandinavia, it’s also a good fit. But leave it to those that have been doing it for a long time.

Don’t be like France.

I may be alone on this one, but I’m certainly not excited for the celebration of Henrik’s 1,000th NHL point.