NHL Pays Tribute to Matthew Perry with ‘Friends’ Theme Song at Saturday Hockey Matches
The NHL honors the late Matthew Perry, a devoted hockey fan, by playing the iconic 'Friends' theme song during Saturday hockey games on October 28th A heartfelt tribute to the beloved actor and his passion for the sport
Matthew Perry during L.A. Gear’s Street Hockey Jam Benefiting H.E.L.P on August 5, 1995. SGranitz/WireImage
The NHL is honoring the late Matthew Perry, a devoted hockey fan, after he tragically drowned.
In various games held on Saturday, October 28, throughout the United States, arena organists paid homage by performing an orchestral rendition of the iconic Friends theme song. As captured in ESPN footage shared on TikTok, the nostalgic melody of "I'll Be There for You" by the Rembrandts filled the air as the Nashville Predators faced off against the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Perry portrayed the beloved character Chandler Bing throughout all 10 seasons of Friends.)
During the Saturday game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the Los Angeles Kings paid homage to the late Perry by playing the beloved TV theme tune. Perry, a loyal fan of the Kings, had attended their 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs game against the St. Louis Blues before his passing at the age of 54.
"It was an incredibly thrilling moment, and by chance, I was standing right in the corner, allowing me to witness it firsthand," he enthusiastically shared with Fox Sports West in May 2013, referring to the team's last-minute goal. "Penner simply executed a perfect top-shelf shot. It was truly exhilarating."
While the victory in the playoffs was cause for celebration, it was overshadowed by the news that Perry's sitcom, Go On, had been cancelled after just one season. "It was a somewhat bittersweet day because of the relationships I built with the cast and crew, and I will miss them... but, in all honesty, this show was interfering with my ability to watch the Kings games. So, I'm actually okay with it," Perry joked.
John Bennett Perry and Matthew Perry during Homeless 4 Hockey at The Forum in Los Angeles on December 14, 2994. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Perry mentioned that he enjoyed attending games across the country to support the Kings, despite not finding it enjoyable due to feeling very tense and serious. Growing up playing hockey in Canada, Perry was a proud supporter of the country's NHL teams. On Saturday, several Canadian squads paid tribute to his legacy.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of Matthew Perry's passing, who was not only one of Ottawa's proudest sons but also a devoted hockey fan," a tweet on the Ottawa Senators' X (formerly Twitter) page expressed.
Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that Perry had tragically passed away due to an apparent drowning. The Los Angeles Times reported that law enforcement authorities were called to Perry's residence, where they discovered him unresponsive in a jacuzzi. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed, and an ongoing investigation is currently underway.
Perry's representatives did not respond immediately when We reached out for comment. The spokesperson from the L.A. coroner's office informed Us that they currently don't have any positive identification for an individual by that name.
