The end of an era
Kelly Hrudey, a former NHL goaltender turned longtime broadcaster, revealed that his contract with Rogers Sportsnet will not be renewed for the upcoming 2026‑2027 season, bringing to a close his 22‑year tenure on Hockey Night in Canada.
Hrudey first stepped onto the broadcast booth in 1998, immediately after hanging up his skates. Over the decades he became a familiar voice in both arena‑side commentary and studio analysis, working alongside host Ron MacLean and contributing to popular segments such as Behind the Mask.
Beyond his broadcasting duties, Hrudey has been an outspoken advocate for mental health, publishing the memoir Calling the Shots: Ups, Downs and Rebounds – My Life in the Great Game of Hockey in 2017, a work that deepened his connection with fans and peers alike.
The transition also reflects a broader shift in NHL media rights. While Rogers Communications assumed primary broadcast responsibilities in 2014, CBC had continued to air Hockey Night in Canada for nearly 75 years. Starting next season, CBC will no longer broadcast NHL games, with a larger portion of the schedule moving to Amazon Prime Video.
Hrudey’s departure follows the earlier announcement that fellow stalwart Scott Oake would retire in April 2026, underscoring a period of transition for the program as it adapts to new distribution models and talent line‑ups.
Based in Calgary and originally from Edmonton, Hrudey’s presence has been a constant for viewers across Canada, and his exit signals the end of an era that has defined Canadian hockey broadcasting for generations.