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J.R.
7-27-05, 8:37 PM
Veteran hockey announcer Jim Hughson to join CBC's HNIC

TORONTO (CP) - Veteran hockey announcer Jim Hughson will be pulling double duty this NHL season.

In addition to his play-by-play duties for the Vancouver Canucks on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific, Hughson will also work for the CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. He will handle play-by-play for the second game of the network's Saturday doubleheaders.

"I'm very fortunate to get a chance to work on two of the best hockey shows anywhere in the hockey world," Hughson said in a conference call Wednesday. "That's pretty exciting for me."

Hughson, 48, replaces Chris Cuthbert, who left the CBC earlier this year and was later hired by TSN. Bob Cole and Harry Neale will handle the early end of the CBC doubleheaders.

"Jim is an excellent addition to our broadcast team," CBC Sports executive director Nancy Lee said in a release. "(He) will assist us in providing hockey fans with unrivaled coverage of their beloved pastime."

The network also announced Wednesday that host Ron MacLean will be back with Coach's Corner co-host Don Cherry. Commentators Scott Oake, Kelly Hrudey and Elliotte Friedman will also return and features like the Satellite Hotstove and After Hours will be in their usual time slots.

Hughson, who has 23 years of sports broadcasting experience, said his Rogers Sportsnet bosses found a way to make things work, adding they felt his profile on Hockey Night would enhance what he does on the Canucks' regional broadcasts.

"There was a time in this industry that, if you even approached somebody about working for the guys across the street, the door would close on you and you'd never get back in," Hughson said. "It's a refreshing, very forward-thinking approach and because of that this has made it an incredibly comfortable deal all around."

Rogers Sportsnet president Doug Beeforth said everybody wins.

"This is something where he benefits, the CBC gets some benefit out of it and we don't lose anything," Beeforth told The Canadian Press. "He's still going to do our Canuck games and he's still part of our roster.

"I wish every deal was as complimentary to all the parties as this one is."

Via: NHL.com (http://nhl.com/news/2005/07/231086.html).


He's no Chris Cuthbert, but I'll take him. Hopefully this means that Hughson will be doing the West games, and Bobby and Harry stay with their love buddies in Toronto.

The Insider
7-27-05, 8:45 PM
Well, they had to get someone since the stupidly got rid of Cuthbert, and when you look at guys who call games in Canada, Hughson was probably the best choice. But I gotta say, Hughson seems to have been around forever, maybe because he's always on EA's games :thumb:

leaferfan87
7-27-05, 10:10 PM
I like Hughson...it's better than Mark Lee!

PDO
7-27-05, 10:28 PM
Another 'nuck homer to replace Cuthbert... sigh.

Oiler fans will probally be stuck with Mark "What does unbaised and being excited mean" Lee.

TimmyTabasco
7-28-05, 1:24 AM
Another 'nuck homer to replace Cuthbert... sigh.



He's not that much of a homer

Decent guy. One of the best around IMO

Now if they would have said Don Taylor.... ;)

PDO
7-28-05, 1:38 AM
He's not that much of a homer

Decent guy. One of the best around IMO

Now if they would have said Don Taylor.... ;)

I would've cried.

All I need say is..

Routine save Cloutier = "GREAT SAVE CLOUTIER!"

KB in Kelowna
7-28-05, 12:27 PM
I like Jim Hughson. For me the disappointing part of the announcement is the return of Bob and Harry on the early game. Now Chris Cuthbert on the early game and Jim on the western game would have been a great and refreshing change.