After nearly five decades covering the NHL, Hall of Fame journalist Eric Duhatschek bids farewell, leaving a lasting legacy in Canadian sports journalism
Eric Duhatschek is among the most well-known sports journalists in Canada. He received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award in 2001 for exceptional ice hockey journalism and serves on the selection committee for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
After 46 years working for NHL, Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic is retiring today. Today, he chronicled his extensive and remarkable career in his last Friday notebook article. Duhatschek serves on the committee that selects members for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Located in Calgary, Alberta, he served as the primary hockey columnist for The Globe and Mail and is a contributor for The Athletic. Duhatschek gained recognition for his reporting on the Calgary Flames as a sports journalist for the Calgary Herald.
”This is how it all began for me professionally: Summer of 1978. Recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario’s journalism school. Trying to cobble together a living, freelancing for the Toronto Sun in sports and the Toronto Star in news, but looking for full-time work. I had job applications all over Canada, and one day, the telephone rang at my parents’ home in Scarborough, Ontario. It was Lynn Watson, sports editor of the Calgary Albertan. He was looking for a ski writer. He’d read my clips and was interested. Did I know anything about skiing?’‘ : Said Eric Duhatschek.
“All my guys want to do is cover curling,” Watson said. I laughed because, of course, I thought he was joking. He wasn’t kidding. It turns out, he had an older staff and curling was an easy sport to cover – indoors, sometimes, from the arena bar at the local bonspiel, where the winning skip would come over and buy reporters a drink. Skiing meant going outdoors, in the snow and cold.
I remember babbling about how much I really wanted that job, and, probably, my enthusiasm won him over because he offered me the job. Weeks later, I was packing all my belongings into my car before spending three and a half days driving from Ontario to Alberta, wondering what the future might hold.”: Mentioned Eric Duhatschek
”That was almost half a century ago. That was the start for me. This is the end. After 46 years (and a couple of months) of working full-time as a sportswriter, I’m retiring.” : Said Eric Duhatschek.
Following 46 years in front of a computer for the NHL, The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek is retiring today. Numerous friends, colleagues, and former players and executives he reported on are sharing their memories of Eric and sending their best wishes. Here’s what they expressed.
Nobody loved this sport more than Eric, and it showed in everything he wrote. He was an incredible reporter and wordsmith. He is a Hall of Famer hockey writer and a Hall of Fame human being and it was an honor for my entire career to read his work, know him as a person and ultimately become his teammate. — Michael Russo, The Athletic
I’ve always been impressed by his knowledge of the game and his unique insights into our sport.
But as much as I’ve enjoyed our conversations about hockey over the years, I will always be grateful to Eric for our friendship and the many meaningful talks we’ve had about life and family. — Paul Kariya, Hockey Hall of Famer
I have the greatest respect for how he handled himself and for what he did and accomplished on the selection committee. He didn’t pull any punches even if he was talking to you. He’d say, “You weren’t that good tonight.” “Oh thanks, Eric.” We would laugh and he’d say, “No, seriously.” And what’s wrong with that? — Lanny McDonald, Hockey Hall of Famer
Eric had incredible passion for the sport and the NHL and his job was a labor of love. Anybody could feel his passion for the NHL and the people in the game. The NHL is a much better place for having Eric as part of the game for many decades. I want to congratulate Eric on an incredible career and wish him the very best. –Ken Holland, Hockey Hall of Fame executive.
Eric will always be considered one of the best to ever cover the game of hockey. He told stories better than most and was always in search of the truth. He has established a legacy built upon trust, respect, and fairness. All of these traits are rooted in his passion for the game and for the fans who love the game of hockey. I am happy to be able to call him a friend and I wish him the best in retirement. – Luc Robitaille, Kings president and Hockey Hall of Famer.
Today, as Eric signs off for the final time, we express our gratitude for his years of commitment and hope his retirement is as fulfilling as the enthusiasm he brought to each project. Cheers to the upcoming chapter, Eric—may it be just as remarkable as the tales you’ve shared.
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