Ron MacLean says Canadians from coast to coast to coast have an inherent connection with the game of hockey.
He should know.
The iconic longtime Hockey Night in Canada host has been covering the game for decades, often the voice of reason when partner Don Cherry starts on another of his rants that threatens to take the pair off the air for good.
MacLean, who also travels coast to coast with Rogers Hometown Hockey these days, said on Sunday the magic of television is when Canadians seen themselves reflected back.
That’s what the program sought to accomplish when first proposed before last season, after the network’s staggering offer gave the broadcaster a stranglehold on hockey coverage in Canada.
It’s worked, MacLean said.
“When Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, they didn’t really feel part of it until Alex Faulkner made the National Hockey League and was on Saturday night for Hockey Night in Canada,” MacLean said, perched on a padded stool inside the network’s mobile command unit.
“For all of us in that country, there’s usually that six degrees of separation to somebody who made it and puts us on the map. And that, I think, is the first appeal.”
Hockey is unmistakably Canada’s game, MacLean added.
“We invented it, it probably does come out of bandy or some European version of the sport,” MacLean said, taking a short pause to acknowledge Thunder Bay singer Coleman Hell’s sound check of his hit song Two Heads echoing throughout Prince Arthur’s Landing.
“And that’s another thing. There’s a hometown kid doing really well right now. And there’s not an NHLer who wouldn’t (agree).
The show is all about promoting sport and culture in communities across the country, 24 stops in all this season.
MacLean said it’s not too difficult to convince ex-players to join the program, pointing to Thunder Bay Greg Johnson, the former Nashville Predators captain who returned to his roots this weekend to take part in an event that drew thousands to the city’s waterfront – a particular love of his late father Jim Johnson.
“That happens everywhere we go,” MacLean said.
The 55-year-old was well versed in local lore, with plenty of stories relating to the city’s hockey past and present.
Patrick Sharp, the Dallas Stars forward with three Stanley Cups to his name, once drew the attention of Cherry for chirping goalie Roberto Luongo.
“Grapes really gave it to him on Hockey Night in Canada and said, ‘You’re kicking him when he’s down, Patrick. That’s not like you,’” MacLean said.
“Patrick came right over to Don and said, ‘No, Don, I didn’t really chirp him. I said something, but honestly, I’m not that kind of guy. I wouldn’t do that.’ But that’s Thunder Bay. It meant a lot to him to be kind to Don and talk to Don, rather than yell at Don.”
MacLean’s segment will air Sunday night during the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks.
