100% Hockey

Remembering HNIC: Mark Askin and Glenn Adamo on the Innovations, the Icons, and the Legacy of Hockey Night
John Shannon sits down with two of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in Hockey Night in Canada history — longtime producer Mark Askin and former NHL Vice President of Broadcasting Glenn Adamo — for a fascinating look at how the show became a national institution.
Mark opens with his childhood memories of waiting for the broadcast to begin, a feeling shared by millions of Canadians, before pulling back the curtain on what it took to produce the most successful primetime sports show in North America. Glenn discusses his unique experience bringing American broadcasting standards to NHL coverage while being careful to honour the distinctly Canadian soul of Hockey Night. Together they trace the show's landmark innovations — the net camera, the infamous fox puck experiment, and the creation of Hockey Day in Canada — and reflect on the art of storytelling that defined the broadcast, built around celebrating the game's best players rather than dwelling on mistakes.
The conversation also touches on working with the legendary Don Cherry and how Hockey Night's approach to coverage quietly shaped and influenced American sports broadcasting for decades.

John Shannon opens with Hockey Night in Canada veteran Scott Oake for a warm and wide-ranging conversation about a career that spanned decades of Canadian broadcasting.
Scott traces his earliest memories of watching Hockey Night growing up in Newfoundland, his evolution from rinkside host to the face of After Hours, and the lasting influence of legendary broadcaster Don Wittman, who drilled into him the value of thorough preparation. That preparation paid off most famously in 2007, when Scott spent two hours rehearsing in front of a mirror before sitting down with Snoop Dogg at the Stanley Cup Finals — producing one of the most talked-about interviews in Hockey Night history. He also reflects on working alongside Dick Irvin at the Montreal Forum, his early interview with Brian Burke, and the bittersweet reality of the show's cancellation just ten days before this conversation.
Daren Millard then joins John as the focus shifts to Kelly Hrudey, who shares the remarkable story of how his Hockey Night career began — stepping in as a studio host in 1995, finding himself alongside Don Cherry and Ron McLean on a brand new playoff studio show.
Kelly opens up about the steep learning curve of transitioning from player to broadcaster, from mastering the telestrator to understanding production cues, and recalls standout moments including covering Mario Lemieux's emotional return in 2000 and working the Olympics. Woven throughout is the story of his deep friendship with Scott Oake, and John Shannon's own fond recollection of first meeting Kelly on a flight from LA to Edmonton during the 1989 playoffs — a friendship now spanning more than 30 years.

Daren Millard and John Shannon reunite three of the Satellite Hot Stove's most recognizable voices — John Davidson, Al Strachan, and Jim Hughson — for a nostalgic and candid look back at one of Hockey Night in Canada's most beloved segments.
The trio recalls the technical headaches of broadcasting live from remote studios scattered across North America, the pressure they faced from NHL teams and general managers over story coverage, and the remarkable access they enjoyed to players and coaches during an era when information wasn't locked down the way it is today.
The group reflects on why the Hot Stove's format — three voices, three cities, one conversation — created something that fans have never stopped missing since the show was discontinued.

John Shannon sits down with Hockey Night in Canada legend Dick Irvin for a rich and personal look back at one of the longest and most storied careers in Canadian broadcasting history. Dick traces his origins with the show back to 1965-66, when he stepped in alongside Danny Gallivan doing Wednesday night games after taking over from Keith Dancy — eventually becoming the first person in Hockey Night history to serve as play-by-play voice, colour commentator, and host on the same broadcast.
He reflects on 17 remarkable years working alongside Danny Gallivan, the special bond that developed with the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, and two of the most unforgettable moments in Hockey Night history — the 1976 Super Series against the Russians and the legendary Patrick Roy incident at the Montreal Forum.
Dick also shares the pride he carries from his father's coaching legacy with the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. John Shannon closes the conversation by recalling how Dick mentored him when he first arrived at Hockey Night in 1977 — and how he personally convinced Dick to delay retirement, signing him to a five-year contract that kept his stories and voice on the air for years to come.

Daren Millard and John Shannon sit down with Los Angeles Kings head coach Peter Laviolette as he reflects on his return to the NHL after a year away from the bench.
Laviolette walks through the process of re-entering the coaching world, including interviews with multiple teams and what ultimately drew him to accept the Kings' offer. He discusses his approach to building his coaching staff, including the addition of Phil Housley as assistant coach, and shares how his coaching philosophy has evolved alongside the game over the course of his decorated career.
The conversation turns to pride as Laviolette reflects on the United States' Olympic hockey gold medal win before closing with his genuine excitement about coaching in Los Angeles and the unique challenges that come with the Kings' demanding schedule and travel requirements.