Calgary Flames
Fans Upset Over Sportsnet’s Decision to Dump Hrudey, Next Act Coming
With Kelly Hrudey not being renewed at Sportsnet, there is genuine interest in where he ends up going next. What’s Act 3?
Sportsnet has let go of long-time Calgary Flames and Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster Kelly Hrudey. Hrudey announced that on June 19th, 2026, Sportsnet did not renew his contract. Hrudey spent 28 years working for Sportsnet, serving as a staple voice on Flames broadcasts as a color commentator and becoming a mainstay on the Hockey Night in Canada panel alongside Ron MacLean, Elliotte Friedman, and Kevin Bieksa.
Letting go of Hrudey appears to be a very unpopular choice, especially amongst Flames fans, who have become so used to hearing Hrudey 82+ times per year on their TV screens. There is some palpable rage out there towards Sportsnet and Rogers, as cuts in the industry are becoming more and more prevalent recently.
Praise for Colleagues
Kelly Hrudey released a video on his social media account on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today, discussing the move:
“On June 19th, I was told my contract was not going to be renewed for the upcoming season, so big changes in my life.”
Hrudey went on to discuss his journey through the NHL, playing 16 NHL seasons across the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks. He then retired in 1998 and jumped right into broadcasting, starting his 28-year journey with Sportsnet.
Hrudey continued by thanking viewers, whether they loved or hated him, as well as all of his colleagues. He addressed all of the staff who worked in hair, wardrobe, makeup, and production, calling them his friends. He praised the support he has received from them throughout the years and now.
What’s Next For Hrudey?
The most interesting part of the video was when Hrudey announced that this is not a retirement. Hrudey continued:
“By the way, this is not a retirement. As I was telling Lloyd Friedman, my lawyer for over 40 years, about this announcement, he said “I’m so excited for act three…””
Interestingly, Hrudey brought up his lawyer, whom he must know very well after over 40 years together. It does raise some eyebrows about what happened and whether there was a falling out with Sportsnet. It will be interesting to follow along to find out what happened, and to see where Hrudey ends up in the near future. It definitely does not sound like he is done anytime soon.
In the end, Hrudey will be a noticeable absence on Sportsnet Flames broadcasts and on Hockey Night in Canada. Seeing who comes in to fill the void will be a watched topic over the next few months.
Next: Montreal’s Cap Wizardry Has Them Poised for a Blockbuster
Discover more from NHL Trade Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
More News
