Fans reacted as former Hockey Night in Canada commentator Jim Hughson opened up on the challenges he faced while calling Toronto Maple Leafs games during his time in the box. His candid remarks didn’t sit well with fans who criticized the play caller.
On “Sekeres and Price”, Hughson shared what it was like calling Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks games in Canada. He said:
“When I broadcasted the Maple Leafs, one of the downsides of having the top chair on Hockey Night in Canada is basically you become a Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster. Everybody in a local fanbase expects their broadcasters to be like it’s a hard one to win.” [H/T Leafsnation]
“They want fans, and if you’re not, you much hate them,” he added.
Fans were quick to react to his statement. Some called him out for his apparent “ hate” for the Leafs and their fanbase. Following are some fan reactions on X/Twitter:
“This guy was brutal. You could feel the hate when he called our games. Painful to listen to.”
“Good for him to all but confirm what we all knew. It was painful to listen to a home broadcast (it still is when on SN) when the guy calling the game speaks w/ apathy. Its why @mike_p_johnson & @GMillerTSN are loved. They just love hky, all Leaf fans are asking for at this point,” one fan wrote.
“Jim do us all a favour. Don’t do leaf games!” quipped another user.
The comments kept coming. Fans accused Jim Hughson of intentionally bad play-calling during Leafs games.
“The hatred from Hughson to Leafs Nation was palpable… 🤷🏻♂️🤪🤨🙄🤦🏻♂️ Maybe you shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds you, eh Jimmy???”
“He was honestly so bad as a leafs fan. Legit could hear disappointment in his voice when big moments for the leafs happened,” commented one user.
“You don’t have to be a homer broadcaster, just can’t be a hater on national TV for the nation’s team,” quipped another fan.
Jim Hughson shares dilemma of broadcasting to fanbases all across Canada
Jim Hughson also mentioned that it’s not the Leafs fanbase that the broadcast has to cater to. He said that it was difficult to gain fan approval with play calling when different NHL teams and their fanbases are up against each other.
“They want a local broadcast, but at the same time, the broadcasters are broadcasting to every corner of the province. You might be broadcasting a game where the New York Islanders are playing and the young men who play for the Islanders are from all different parts of Canada as well,” Hughson said.
“And their people are invested in it. It’s a really a hard one to win in that sense,” he added.
Jim Hughson started play-calling for Hockey Night in Canada in 2008. He eventually retired in 2021, ending his long and successful career in broadcasting.
Edited by Bhargav
