Five Other Possible Hockey Night In Canada Hosts

Mike Crisolago | March 10th, 2014

It’s a curious thing about Canadian television – that whenever an awards show, or gala ceremony, or special presentation needs to be hosted, we basically have three people who alternate the duties: George Stroumboulopoulos, Martin Short, or Jian Ghomeshi.

With Short tackling last night’s Canadian Screen Awards, and Ghomeshi presumably quite busy with his popular radio program Q, Strombo got the nod to become the new host of the nation’s most venerable hockey broadcast, Hockey Night in Canada, starting next year. It’s a big career move for the 41-year-old, as CBC also just announced that Strombo’s talk show, George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, is ending after a decade on the station.

There’s no doubt that Strombo’s broadcasting credentials hold up against anyone in Canadian television, but if it were up to us we’d choose a host from outside the usual “Canadian Three.” Rogers Communications’ made the call (they hold the NHL’s broadcasting rights in Canada starting next year), so we’re offering up five more possible choices for HNIC hosts for them to consider:

Hayley Wickenheiser

Canadians take hockey seriously. Very seriously. Hockey Night in Canada fans want a host with a knowledge of the game beyond that of an average fan, one who can challenge the guests (and, if it comes to it, even Don Cherry) with a solid understanding of the game and its intricacies, ask the right questions at the right times, educate viewers, and add a level of credibility to the broadcast that’ll keep viewers from tossing bottles of Molson Canadian at their TVs in frustration.

Our suggestion: keep Ron MacLean in the fold for another year, and groom Canadian women’s hockey great Hayley Wickenheiser to take over. She’s earned more Olympic gold medals than any other Canuck (including the storybook comeback against the Americans last month in Sochi), she’s definitely got the hockey cred, and a female presence would be a welcome addition to the male-dominated broadcast.

Or, if you insist on going the celebrity route…

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Hey, why not? They did wonders for the Golden Globes. Plus, a whole new audience would be tuning in to see which players the duo roasts in their monologues that week.

We’d suggest Ellen DeGeneres as well, but there’s only so many hockey player selfies you can take in a season. Or, see if Jay Leno is free on Saturday nights.

The Cast of Dragon’s Den

Imagine the possibilities: every week slumping players could be put in the hot seat and forced to prove to the Dragons that it’s worth it for teams to invest in them. Granted it’s a bit unconventional, but it could also make things a lot more interesting around the trade deadline.

Donald Sutherland

Just imagine: the HNIC broadcast begins with a montage of archival footage of kids skating on backyard ice rinks interspersed with slow-mo video of the game’s biggest current stars set to a Tragically Hip song and narrated by this beloved Canadian actor (who seems to narrate almost everything else anyway). It’ll be so much Canadian content that maple syrup may start dripping from your television.

Rob Ford

I know, I know, but Toronto’s infamous mayor has had little to do since he was stripped of most of his power. And, when you think about it, he has a lot in common with hockey players: he’s famous, he’s used to skating on thin ice, and any number of rivals would love to throw down the gloves and jersey him good.

Plus, you know what they say about organized sports – it keeps kids (and certain mayors) off the streets and away from drugs.

Who would be your choice for host of Hockey Night in Canada? Let us know in the comments!