Former broadcaster Jim Hughson was harsh with Leafs fans in recent comments
Former broadcaster Jim Hughson recently spoke about the challenges of commenting Toronto Maple Leafs games on Hockey Night in Canada because of the fans.
Hughson's illustrious career spanned 42 years, covering everything from the Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays to the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also lent his voice to EA Sports' hockey video games.
Reflecting on his experiences, Hughson praised the Vancouver Canucks and their fans, noting the balancing act of being perceived as both a fan and an impartial broadcaster. However, his experience with the Maple Leafs was markedly different.
"One of the downsides of having the top chair in Hockey Night in Canada is basically you become a Toronto Maple Leaf broadcaster because you're there every Saturday, whether they're good or bad," Hughson said.
He highlighted the difficulty of balancing national broadcasting duties with local fan expectations:
"The local fan base expects their broadcasters to be like them. They want fans, and if you're not, you must hate them."
Hughson also pointed out the impact of social media on broadcasting, noting how it has changed the dynamic for current broadcasters, who are now judged constantly online. Despite these challenges, Hughson retired in 2021 with no regrets and a sense of satisfaction. His iconic voice remains etched in the memories of hockey fans everywhere, whether they loved or hated him.
Source: Hockey Patrol
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POLL |
JUILLET 18 | 16 ANSWERS Former broadcaster Jim Hughson was harsh with Leafs fans in recent comments Do you think Jim Hughson is right about Toronto Maple Leafs fans? |
Yes | 13 | 81.3 % |
No | 3 | 18.8 % |
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