Hall of Fame hockey commentator Jim Hughson is retiring, ending a 42-year broadcast career. Sportsnet made the announcement Tuesday, calling him "one of the iconic voices of hockey in Canada."
Hughson, 64, said he's had a "fantastic run."
"This is a decision I made in consultation with my family and I’m very much at peace with it," Hughson said in a statement "My only goal in this industry was to work at the highest level and on the last day of the season. I’ve had that opportunity a number of times and will always be grateful for it."
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Hughson, who called his first game on radio in 1979, has done hockey play-by-play over six different decades. Most recently, he was the voice of the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and national broadcasts on "Hockey Night in Canada." He also called Stanley Cup Final 12 times and the men's Olympic hockey tournaments in 2006 and 2014.
While best known for hockey, Hughson also called baseball in his career, working as part of the Blue Jays broadcast crew during the team's historic championship runs in 1992 and 1993.
He was awarded the Hockey Hall of Fame's Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2019.
"It’s been an honor, privilege and pleasure to join Canadian hockey fans in watching so many fantastic games over the years," Hughson added. "I look forward to continuing watching together, but from the same side of the television."
Sportsnet’s full NHL broadcast team will be announced in the coming weeks.
(Photo: Dave Sandford / NHLI via Getty Images)
GO DEEPER
Why Jim Hughson is leaving his seat on 'Hockey Night in Canada': 'I'm just going to be on the other side of the TV'
Who fills the void?
Sean Fitz-Gerald, senior national writer: This is another tectonic shift in what has already been a summer of transformative change for "Hockey Night in Canada." Longtime senior producer Sherali Najak left the program in August to work with the CBC's Olympic coverage. NHL insider Chris Johnston left for a job with the Toronto Star.
Hughson's departure leaves Chris Cuthbert as the unquestioned No. 1 play-by-play voice, with other voices — such as Harnarayan Singh — likely moving into larger roles.
Where he ranks in Canada's long line of top hockey announcers
Fitz-Gerald: Not many Canadians have filled the seat Hughson is vacating. Bob Cole was a lead play-by-play voice for four decades. Hughson was the lead voice for more than a decade.
Ranking the play-by-play voices for Hockey Night in Canada can be a little like discussing politics or religion over a big family dinner: It can lead to yelling and tears. Everyone has their own favorite, and those preferences can sometimes fall along geographic lines. Hughson had a strong base of support.
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What was his signature call?
Fitz-Gerald: In an interview with The Athletic shortly after announcing his retirement, Hughson said he has run into fans who knew him from his work with the EA Sports NHL games — and were surprised to know that he actually called real NHL games for television. His career spanned platforms, generations and sports.
For viewers of a certain age, he might forever be associated with three simple words: “Great save, Luongo!”