Foster Hewitt Memorial Award

The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is an annual accolade honoring ice hockey broadcasters in North America.[1] It was named for the Canadian hockey radio broadcaster and newspaper journalist Foster Hewitt,[2] and it has been presented every year at a media luncheon ceremony that occurs late in the year at the Hockey Hall of Fame in BCE Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada since 1984.[3][4] The winner is chosen by a committee of members composed of radio and television figures that make up the NHL Broadcasters' Association.[3][5] It is given "to recognize distinguished members of the radio and television industry who made outstanding contributions to their profession and the game during their career in hockey broadcasting."[1] Each recipient receives a glass plaque,[6] which is put on display in the Hall of Fame's media section.[4] The ceremony associated with the award is staged separately to the induction of players into the Hockey Hall of Fame because media honorees are not considered full inductees.[7][8]

Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
Awarded for"to recognize distinguished members of the radio and television industry who made outstanding contributions to their profession and the game during their career in hockey broadcasting."[1]
LocationHockey Hall of Fame, Toronto, Ontario
CountryCanada
Presented byHockey Hall of Fame
Reward(s)Glass plaque
First awarded1984
Currently held byPierre Houde (2024)

The first four winners were Fred Cusick, Foster Hewitt, Danny Gallivan and René Lecavalier in 1984. The award was given out twice in two further consecutive years to both Budd Lynch and Doug Smith in 1985 and Wes McKnight and Lloyd Pettit the following year.[9] It has presented posthumously on four occasions, to Smith in 1985, McKnight the following year, Dan Kelly in 1989 and Bill Hewitt in 2007.[9][10] Dave Strader was named the recipient in April 2017 but he died of a rare form of bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma on October 1, 2017 before the ceremony to commemorate his career that was held the following month.[11] His three children accepted the award on his behalf.[12] It has been presented to broadcasters who have been affiliated with the CBC Television sports program Hockey Night in Canada seven times, followed by the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs on six occasions.

Inductees

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Key
Indicates posthumous award
Recipients of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award[9]
Year Image Recipient Affiliation Ref
1984 Fred Cusick Boston [9]
  Foster Hewitt Toronto
Danny Gallivan Montreal
  René Lecavalier
1985 Budd Lynch Detroit [13]
Doug Smith Montreal [9]
1986 Wes McKnight Toronto
Lloyd Pettit Chicago
1987 Bob Wilson Boston
1988 Dick Irvin Jr. Montreal
1989 Dan Kelly St. Louis, CBS, Hockey Night in Canada
1990 Jiggs McDonald Atlanta, New York Islanders, Los Angeles [14]
1991 Bruce Martyn Detroit [15]
1992   Jim Robson Vancouver, Hockey Night in Canada [16]
1993 Al Shaver Minnesota [17]
1994 Ted Darling Buffalo [18]
1995 Brian McFarlane Hockey Night in Canada [9]
1996   Bob Cole [19]
1997 Gene Hart Philadelphia [20]
1998   Howie Meeker Hockey Night in Canada, TSN [9]
1999 Richard Garneau Montreal
2000   Bob Miller Los Angeles [21]
2001   Mike Lange Pittsburgh [22]
2002   Gilles Tremblay Montreal [9]
2003   Rod Phillips Edmonton [23]
2004   Chuck Kaiton Hartford/Carolina [24]
2005 Sal Messina New York Rangers [25]
2006 Peter Maher Calgary [26]
2007 Bill Hewitt Toronto [10]
2008   Mike Emrick Philadelphia, New Jersey, ESPN/ABC, Fox, NBC/NBCSN, Versus [27]
2009 John Davidson New York Rangers, Hockey Night in Canada, ESPN/ABC, Fox, MSG Network, NBC [28]
2010 Ron Weber Washington [29]
2011 Mickey Redmond Detroit [30]
2012 Rick Jeanneret Buffalo [31]
2013 Harry Neale Buffalo, Hockey Night in Canada, Toronto [32]
2014 Pat Foley Chicago [6]
2015 Nick Nickson Los Angeles [4]
2016 Sam Rosen New York Rangers, Fox, ESPN [33]
2017 Dave Strader Detroit, Florida, Phoenix, Dallas, ESPN/ABC, NHL International, NBC/NBCSN [34]
2018   Joe Bowen Toronto [35]
2019 Jim Hughson Vancouver, Toronto, Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet, TSN [36]
2020 Rick Peckham Hartford, Tampa Bay [37]
2022 Bill Clement Philadelphia, ESPN/ABC, NBC [38]
2023 Dan Rusanowsky San Jose [39]
2024 Pierre Houde Montreal, RDS [40]

Statistics

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Multiple winners by Affiliation[9]
Name Wins
Hockey Night in Canada 7
Montreal 7
Toronto 6
Detroit 4
Buffalo 3
ESPN/ABC 3
Los Angeles 3
NBC 3
New York Rangers 3
Fox 3
Boston 2
Chicago 2
Hartford 2
TSN 2
Vancouver 2
RDS 1

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Afterberry, Tara; Sams, Amanda, eds. (2006). "Foster Hewitt Memorial Award". Awards, honors & prizes: United States and Canada. Vol. 1 (25th ed.). Farmington Mills, Michigan: Thomson Gale. p. 536. ISBN 0-7876-7806-6. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ Blevins, Dave (2012). "Hafey to Hynes". The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia. Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press. p. 444. ISBN 978-0-8108-6130-5. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b Poulton, J. Alexander (2012). "Foster Hewitt Memorial Award". Everything About Hockey. Canada: Overtime Books. p. 172. ISBN 978-1-897277-71-3. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ a b c Elliott, Helene (June 4, 2015). "Kings radio voice Nick Nickson wins Hockey Hall of Fame award". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Hollander, Zander, ed. (1993). "Hockey Hall of Fame". The Complete Encyclopedia of Hockey (Fourth ed.). Detroit, Michigan: Visible Ink Press. p. 315. ISBN 0-8103-9419-7. Retrieved May 29, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ a b Kuc, Chris (November 17, 2014). "For Pat Foley, Hall of Fame career in his hometown is perfect". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "TSN/RDS Broadcast Zone". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  8. ^ "Hockey Hall of Fame Announces Legends Classic Tour 2005 Featuring Canada Vs. Russia". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. September 7, 2005. Archived from the original on October 28, 2005. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Foster Hewitt Memorial Award Winners". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Hockey Hall of Fame to honour Bill Hewitt". CBC News. The Canadian Press. May 29, 2007. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Leahy, Sean (November 6, 2017). "Trevor Strader honors late dad with stirring rendition of U.S. anthem (Video)". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  12. ^ "Hockey Hall of Fame honors the late Dave Strader". Fox Sports Arizona. November 15, 2017. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  13. ^ "This Budd's for you". Detroit Free Press. September 5, 1985. p. 3D. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  14. ^ "Award: Hockey: NHL Hall of Fame". The Baltimore Sun. June 14, 1990. p. 4D. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  15. ^ Crowe, Steve (September 21, 1991). "Martyn shys from fuss of induction". Detroit Free Press. p. 3D. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  16. ^ McDonald, Archie (September 18, 1992). "Canuck broadcaster to receive Hewitt award". Vancouver Sun. p. D17. ProQuest 243332510. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  17. ^ Zgoda, Jerry (November 17, 1993). "Shaver goes home to enter Hockey Hall". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. p. 01C. ProQuest 418426093. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  18. ^ McDonald, Norris (November 15, 1994). "Broadcaster earns award for excellence". The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 19. ProQuest 353223797. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  19. ^ McKee, Ken (September 17, 1996). "Cole 'floored' by hall honor". Toronto Star. p. D6. ProQuest 437536290. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  20. ^ Zeisberger, Mike (November 18, 1997). "Hockey Hall Enshrines Long Time Flyers Voice: Gene Hart, Who Got His Start in Trenton, Spent Nearly Three Decades as a Flyers Broadcaster". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C3. ProQuest 1842123287. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  21. ^ Wolken, Dan (November 8, 2000). "Among hockey's elite, Miller's time has come: In his 28th year as "Voice of the Kings," Bob Miller's peers rally to put him in the Hockey Hall of Fame". The Press-Enterprise. p. C01.
  22. ^ Kovacevic, Dejan (November 13, 2001). "Lange Calls No Turkeys As Broadcaster". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. D7. ProQuest 391144992. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  23. ^ Matheson, Jim (May 29, 2003). "Phillips talks his way into hall of fame". Edmonton Journal. p. D1. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  24. ^ "Hall Nod for Kaiton". The Capital Times. May 31, 2004. p. 2D. ProQuest 395266243. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  25. ^ "Messina, Elliott to be honoured". The Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press. May 20, 2005. p. S3. ProQuest 383688982. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  26. ^ McGuire, Peter (May 26, 2006). "Maher receives Hockey Hall of Fame media award; Campbellton native is the voice of the Calgary Flames". Telegraph-Journal. p. B12. ProQuest 423247341. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  27. ^ Mazzeo, Mike (August 1, 2011). "Emrick inducted into U.S. Hockey Hall". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  28. ^ Obernauer, Michael (June 2, 2009). "John Davidson gets nod from Hall of Fame, & Brian Leetch could follow". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
    Rutherford, Jeremy (November 9, 2009). "'Lucky guy' Davidson gets ready for big night Blues notebook Team president to receive award for his work in television. NHL". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. B7. ProQuest 403238105. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  29. ^ Steinberg, Don (June 1, 2010). "Ron Weber gets the call from the Hall". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  30. ^ Waddell, Dave (June 3, 2011). "Hall of Fame honours Redmond; Wings analyst on air in 1979". Windsor Star. p. B2. ProQuest 870270390. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2011 – via ProQuest.
  31. ^ Yerdon, Joe (June 9, 2012). "Sabres play-by-play man earns Foster Hewitt Award". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  32. ^ Moritz, Amy (November 11, 2013). "Neale's staying power lands him in Hockey Hall". McClatchy — Tribune Business News. ProQuest 1449754884. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  33. ^ Best, Neil (June 2, 2016). "Sam Rosen, longtime Rangers announcer, to receive Foster Hewitt Award". Newsday. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  34. ^ "Dave Strader wins Foster Hewitt Memorial Award". National Hockey League. April 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  35. ^ McGran, Kevin (November 9, 2018). "Joe Bowen, voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs, humbled ahead of Hall of Fame induction". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  36. ^ Thiessen, Connie (May 29, 2019). "Hockey broadcaster Jim Hughson to receive Foster Hewitt Memorial Award". Broadcast Dialogue. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  37. ^ Faiello, Mari (June 29, 2020). "Lightning broadcaster Rick Peckham to receive Foster Hewitt Memorial Award". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  38. ^ "Clement to be honored by Hockey Hall of Fame". NHL. June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  39. ^ "Sharks Announcer Rusanowsky Named Recipient of The Foster Hewitt Award". NHL. June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  40. ^ Cowan, Stu (May 31, 2024). "Hockey Hall Fame honours Canadiens announcer Pierre Houde of RDS". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
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