What Does Clay Aiken Have to Do with Hockey?

Pretty much nothing! But he performed during a Carolina Hurricanes game in, I want to say, 2003, and there was a bit of a culture clash between the Caniacs and the Clayniacs.

The arena was overrun by old ladies and girls who cared little about hockey. Never had I had such a long wait for the toilet.

I held up this sign during the intermission when Clay was singing. (Jesse Boulerice was a player known for hits and fighting.) A Clayniac near me was put off by the sign and said something about how Clay had donated so much to her daughter's charity.

"Don't you think the Hurricanes players donate to charity?" I answered.

I understand that Clay's fans paid "good money" to hear him sing. But I, too, paid good money for a hockey game, as it was originally billed. It was already part of my season miniplan.

Obviously, I'm not a fan of Mr. Aiken, but I do give him cred for actually skating on the ice during his performance.