John Cudmore

Logan Aube was sure his entry would raise eyebrows.

He was correct.

Nevertheless, the Aurora resident’s controversial Hockey Scores  composition and accompanying video continues to receive by far the most hits and comments on the Internet as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Hockey Night In Canada Anthem Contest enters the final two weeks.

With more than 120,000 Internet hits and triple the number of the next most popular entry in the five weeks since submitting his entry, Mr. Aube’s version is a runway leader in the popular contest, which has attracted more than 1,000 entries.

But it’s in sharp contrast to the relatively conservative theme that has brought HNIC into living rooms for years.

“I knew it would probably cause a commotion,” the 20-year-old digital media graduate of Seneca College said Thursday. “But it’s what I interpret hockey as. I thought it was time for a change. In a way, it’s a generational thing.”

CBC has sought a replacement for the theme song to its marquee sports product since rival CTV scooped up its traditional pre-game theme earlier this year.

A combination of animal sounds, babies crying and machine-gun fire, the 30-second piece is certainly evoking reaction across the country. The video portion features cats and sheep with hockey stick legs and a baby in an off-beat presentation open to interpretation.

Mr. Aube, who attended Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School in Aurora, explained the inspiration behind his piece, which has been described as mockery, masterpiece and many things in between.

The gun-fire represents players shooting the puck. The rapid percussion introduction refers to the rough and tumble full-contact nature of the sport.

The animal sounds? The cat symbolizes the cat-like reflex of players and agility. The sheep with hockey stick legs? Well, that represents the soft comfort Aube believes many viewers receive from watching hockey on TV. And the babies’ cries, he says, illustrate the wonder of the sport.

Judging by reviews on Internet sites, the composition certainly is not everyone’s cup of tea. Nor is the popularity of the contest on the Internet any guarantee of winning the contest and $100,000, plus residuals, that goes with the winning entry.

“I don’t know if winning is likely,” conceded Mr. Aube. “It probably is not what the majority of people want. It will get recognition but is probably too far ahead of its time.”

Monitoring mixed reaction from the public has become a source of amusement.

“People love it or hate it,” Aube conceded. “But you can’t please everyone unless you compromise yourself. That comes with the territory sometimes.

“Half the fun is looking at the responses. Some people don’t get it and get upset and some defend it. I just thought it was another way to express myself.”

The former Newmarket resident is not out to create controversy, by any means.

“I’m a fan like anyone else,” said Mr. Aube, who has leanings toward the Toronto Maple Leafs. “But I also put out my other interests, which include music. It’s a combination of influences.”

The entry has been removed twice from the CBC’s website, although Aube has been assured a third-party, and not CBC officials, was responsible for its removal.

Deadline for entries is Aug. 31.

Log on to anthemchallenge.cbc.ca for a look at all entries.