Watch The Hockey Sweater

The Hockey Sweater is a 1980 Canadian animated short film based on the short story "Une abominable feuille d'érable sur la glace" ("An Abominable Maple Leaf on Ice") by Canadian author Roch Carrier. Directed by Sheldon Cohen, the film features the voices of Carrier and Jean-Guy Moreau. The Hockey Sweater tells the story of a young boy, Roch, growing up in a small town in Quebec in the late 1940s. He loves playing hockey and idolizes the Montreal Canadiens, especially their star player, Maurice "Rocket" Richard. Roch and his friends spend their days playing hockey on the frozen village pond, wearing Canadiens jerseys and dreaming of one day playing for their favorite team.

One day, Roch's mother orders him a new sweater from the catalog of Eaton's department store. Roch eagerly anticipates its arrival, but is devastated when it arrives and it's not the Canadiens sweater he had hoped for, but instead a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. Roch is horrified by the thought of having to wear the sweater of his team's archrival, but his mother insists he wear it to church the next day. Roch is humiliated by the stares and jeers of the other children, who mock him for wearing a Leafs sweater.

The situation only gets worse when Roch's mother insists he wear the sweater to his next hockey game, against a rival team from a nearby town. Roch feels hopeless and embarrassed as he takes the ice, certain that the other players will refuse to play with him. But to his surprise, they not only accept him onto their team but pass him the puck, recognizing his skill as a player. By the end of the game, Roch has scored the winning goal, cementing his place on the team and earning the respect of his peers.

The Hockey Sweater is a poignant and nostalgic look at growing up Canadian, with all the passion and heartbreak that comes along with it. It captures the importance of hockey to Canadian culture and the powerful emotions it can stir up in its fans. The film is beautifully rendered in a nostalgic, watercolor style, with a powerful score by François Dompierre. The story is charming and relatable, and the animation brings it to life with warmth and humanity.

Overall, The Hockey Sweater is a touching and timeless film that will resonate with anyone who has ever worn their heart on their sleeve for their favorite sports team. It's a testament to the power of kindness, respect, and sportsmanship, and a beautifully crafted ode to Canada's national game.