Hockey night in canada will have a new Anchor

leeaspell · #1 03-10-2014, 11:09 AM

George Stroumboulopoulos will anchor Hockey Night in Canada*next season while Coach's Corner will continue with Ron MacLean and Don Cherry,*Rogers announced Monday.

It's the first major on-air personnel announcement*by Rogers since the Canadian telecom giant bought the NHL's Canadian media rights for the next 12*years, starting next*season, at a cost of $5.2 billion in November.*As part of a sublicensing deal, the CBC will continue to broadcast Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays, with Rogers holding editorial control.

Monday's announcement followed news earlier in the day that Stroumboulopoulos's*Gemini Award-winning CBC*talk show,*George*Stroumboulopoulos*Tonight,*will*cease *production this year,*following its*10th*season.

Stroumboulopoulos*will also host*other Rogers NHL broadcasts across various platforms, along with current Sportsnet personalities Jeff Marek and Daren Millard.

"Hockey is one of my deep-seated passions and I'm thrilled to be going full circle, returning to my roots in sports broadcasting,"*Stroumboulopoulos*said in a statement.*"It's a dream for me to work with Ron*MacLean*and Don Cherry, as well as my old friend Jeff*Marek*who I started my career with. I'm also looking forward to working with Daren Millard and the entire team at Rogers."

Cherry and MacLean will continue with*their popular Coach's Corner segment, which is currently in it's 28th season.

“I knew that Rogers would never mess with the greatest segment on television," Cherry said in a release. "We’re going into our 29th season of Coach’s Corner, and we’re stronger than ever.”

Along with*Coach's Corner,*MacLean*will also host*Hockey Day In Canada, as well as*Hometown Hockey Community Celebration*on Sundays, Rogers announced.

pinelakeperch · #2 03-10-2014, 11:16 AM

I like Strombo and think he's one of the best interviewers out there but I've never sensed that he has a strong depth of hockey knowledge. That isn't to say he doesn't love the game and have some knowledge, I'm just a little skeptical as to whether or not he's the right guy. It'll be interesting nonetheless!

Big Sky · #3 03-10-2014, 12:06 PM

I don't like seeing Ron McLean being moved into a lesser role on HNIC. The guy is a high level referee and has a vast knowledge of hockey. His sports broadcasting experience in Canada is second to none, having worked as the host for several Olympics as well as his role on HNIC.

I love watching McLean interview Gary Bettman. McLean asks tough questions and if he doesn't like the answer, he keeps pushing. I get the feeling that Bettman does not like McLean one bit.

I wouldn't be surprised if when Rogers and the NHL made their $5 billion deal, it was decided that McLean be replaced with someone who is a bit more 'friendly'. George Stroumboulopoulos would seem to fit the bill.

Or maybe Rogers/NHL is just trying to attract the untapped hipster market.

crownb · #4 03-10-2014, 12:13 PM

This is an epic fail, enough said.

Okotokian · #5 03-10-2014, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhutter

I like Strombo and think he's one of the best interviewers out there but I've never sensed that he has a strong depth of hockey knowledge. That isn't to say he doesn't love the game and have some knowledge, I'm just a little skeptical as to whether or not he's the right guy. It'll be interesting nonetheless!

That's where I am too. Like him in small doses but I fear this will be a repeat of Dennis miller's Monday night football experience. I think a sportscaster would have been better. He's pretty left too, so Cherry will hate him.

recce43 · #6 03-10-2014, 12:55 PM

Ron will still be doing coaches corner don cherry

twofifty · #7 03-10-2014, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okotokian

That's where I am too. Like him in small doses but I fear this will be a repeat of Dennis miller's Monday night football experience. I think a sportscaster would have been better. He's pretty left too, so Cherry will hate him.

That could make for AO-like scripted TV...

CNP · #8 03-10-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okotokian

That's where I am too. Like him in small doses but I fear this will be a repeat of Dennis miller's Monday night football experience. I think a sportscaster would have been better. He's pretty left too, so Cherry will hate him.

I laughed at that one. Maybe that is why Ron and Don will remain on CC.

Goater · #9 03-10-2014, 03:02 PM

George Stroumbo.....who ----never heard of him!

Evilsports · #10 03-10-2014, 03:12 PM

Isn't Strombolopolous that hairy critter with the trunk, off Sesame Street?

MK2750 · #11 03-10-2014, 03:20 PM

He seems like a good guy. Anti cruelty and all. I am sure he has some interesting views on hunting. Louie Debrusk or Carey Price would make for an interesting interview.

"Why Be Veg?

People the world over are choosing a cruelty-free diet. It's been all the buzz in the media from talk of "Power Vegans" like Bill Clinton, casino mogul Steve Wynn, & Def Jam Founder Russell Simons to the rise of vegetarianism in Ultimate Fighter circles. It's been the choice of many well-known figures – past and present – including Ellen, Deepak Chopra, Albert Einstein, Gloria Steinem, Bob Marley, Kate Winslet, Mark Twain, Olympic Track Star Carl Lewis, Leonardo da Vinci, Coldplay's Chris Martin, author Alice Walker, Charles Darwin, Alec Baldwin, Benjamin Franklin, Morrissey, Mike Tyson, Plato and Socrates, Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone, and Pink.

In Canada, some well-known vegans and vegetarians include: Pamela Anderson, Bryan Adams, former NHL Enforcer Georges Laraque, Shania Twain, William Shatner, Sarah McLachlan, Michael J. Fox, and Alanis Morrisette. Some of our Toronto veg folks include: George Stroumboulopoulos, pro hockey player Mike Zigomanis, MuchMusic VJ Sarah Taylor, and City Councillors Glenn De Baeremaeker, Josh Matlow, and Michelle Berardinetti."

rena0040 · #12 03-10-2014, 04:31 PM

I can't stand that hipster, he takes himself way to seriously. I'm predicting next season there will be an epic piece on the negative affects of melting piles of snow outside summer rinks and how it causes climate change.

460ford · #13 03-10-2014, 04:43 PM

George has to take off his little sisters jeans, his moms jewelery and learn what icing is first. What an embarassment.

1899b · #14 03-10-2014, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rena0040

I can't stand that hipster, he takes himself way to seriously. I'm predicting next season there will be an epic piece on the negative affects of melting piles of snow outside summer rinks and how it causes climate change.

I agree!! George Stroumboulopoulos being on Hockey Night Canada would be like Piers Morgan being an Analyst for the UFC. I have never heard of anything so stupid.....

jethunter · #15 03-10-2014, 05:34 PM

George is a twit. Shallow, uninformed, pretentious. He should do great in media. I'll miss Ron Maclean, he was pretty well the only thing that made HNIC worth watching.

MoFugger21 · #16 03-10-2014, 05:44 PM

George will be fine. Will be different than having Ron as the host obviously, but I have faith HNIC will not suffer.

FWIW, I don't believe George is a dummy when it comes to hockey as he is (read: 'was' as he is now part of the 'no favoritism' media) an AVID Hab's fan and I've read a couple pieces that says he got his start as an intern at the Fan 590 in Toronto.

chadyaz · #17 03-10-2014, 06:00 PM

As long as Healey and Hrudey are replaced I'll be happy

fishunter327 · #18 03-10-2014, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadyaz

As long as Healey and Hrudey are replaced I'll be happy

You should add PJ Stock to that list as well.

chadyaz · #19 03-10-2014, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishunter327

You should add PJ Stock to that list as well.

Done. And I'll throw in Weekes to boot. MacLean, Grapes, and Friedman are the only good parts of HNIC

Ddawg · #20 03-10-2014, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishunter327

You should add PJ Stock to that list as well.

Sure he can be replaced with David Suzuki, he and Strombo make good pair.

sjemac · #21 03-10-2014, 07:09 PM

George is an Uber Douche. Can't stand his sanctimonious schtick. What are they thinking? Trudeau is assured as PM now that the douche-elites of the nation have made this move.

In fact, I think I could take Trudeau as PM over Georgie Alphabet as HNIC anchor. Christ. They can't hold onto the anthem and now this?

Time to get US Dish network to avoid this boob.

huntinstuff · #22 03-10-2014, 08:57 PM

I dont watch CBC

Communist Broadcasting Corporation

HunterDave · #23 03-10-2014, 09:02 PM

Who's George Snuffleupagus and why would he do a better job than Ron MacLean?

deanmc · #24 03-10-2014, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Sky

I don't like seeing Ron McLean being moved into a lesser role on HNIC. The guy is a high level referee and has a vast knowledge of hockey. His sports broadcasting experience in Canada is second to none, having worked as the host for several Olympics as well as his role on HNIC.

I love watching McLean interview Gary Bettman. McLean asks tough questions and if he doesn't like the answer, he keeps pushing. I get the feeling that Bettman does not like McLean one bit.

I wouldn't be surprised if when Rogers and the NHL made their $5 billion deal, it was decided that McLean be replaced with someone who is a bit more 'friendly'. George Stroumboulopoulos would seem to fit the bill.

Or maybe Rogers/NHL is just trying to attract the untapped hipster market.

Maybe they are trying to attract teenage girls??? I wonder if McLean asked for a lesser role?

deanmc · #25 03-10-2014, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jethunter

George is a twit. Shallow, uninformed, pretentious. He should do great in media. I'll miss Ron Maclean, he was pretty well the only thing that made HNIC worth watching.

Okotokian · #26 03-10-2014, 10:21 PM

I wonder if it matters taht much. Forgive my ignorance, but who is the host of HNIC now? LOL

bb356 · #27 03-10-2014, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okotokian

I wonder if it matters taht much. Forgive my ignorance, but who is the host of HNIC now? LOL

Mike from Canmore ???

Okotokian · #28 03-10-2014, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bb356

Mike from Canmore ???

LOL See????

Rod1960 · #29 03-10-2014, 11:13 PM

HunterDave · #30 03-11-2014, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okotokian

I wonder if it matters taht much. Forgive my ignorance, but who is the host of HNIC now? LOL

Ron Maclean is the host. I find him very sharp and you very rarely, if ever, see things get screwed up by him. I'll give Snuffleupagus a fair shot but IMO he's got some big shoes to fill. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ron Maclean back in there hosting again. We'll see I guess.