Celebration of Excellence in Sports Broadcasting as Houde Wins Hewitt Award
It was in two aisles of a grocery store located north of Montreal about twelve years ago when Pierre Houde realized the influence he had on his audience.
The very well-liked French-speaking announcer for the Montreal Canadiens is still searching for the right words to convey his gratitude for being chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.
The Hockey Hall of Fame has been giving out the Hewitt Award since 1984 in honor of a hockey broadcast pioneer, selected by the NHL Broadcasters Association, to recognize individuals in the radio and television industry who have excelled and positively impacted the business and sport.
“I’m very proud that I have a lot of support from the English community,” he said. “It’s a great bond.”
Houde has been a broadcaster for 50 years and has been calling Canadiens games on French-language RDS since 1989 when the network obtained the team’s TV rights. After about 3,500 hockey games, he believes his voice is highly recognizable in his home province, where Catholicism and the Canadiens are considered Quebec’s top two religions.
However, it was when he was not near the microphone that Houde remembers many moments and supporters that will always stay with him.
Pierre Houde, the 45th recipient of the Hewitt Award, is the seventh to consider the Canadiens his “home” team, despite working extensively outside of Montreal. He takes great pride in joining six Quebec broadcasting pioneers who came before him: Rene Lecavalier, Richard Garneau, and Gilles Tremblay in French; Danny Gallivan, Doug Smith, and Dick Irvin Jr. in English.
The French broadcasters who were honored before him, all of whom have passed away, were not only his friends and mentors, but also served as his inspirations and teachers. Irvin Jr., a close friend aged 92, conveyed heartfelt greetings in May after learning about the 2024 Hewitt announcement.
Houde is extremely proud of his friendship with the late Bob Cole, the 1996 Hewitt Award recipient, as he is honored to be part of the full roster, in the final years of the Hockey Night in Canada legend’s life.
Houde acknowledges those who supported him on his journey in broadcasting and in his professional life by sharing his award with them. Paul Houde consistently supported his younger brother and Pierre sees the Hewitt Award as a generous contribution from Paul, who always championed him.
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