George Stroumboulopoulos new host of HNIC

[Canada 02]

@TSNBobMcKenzie: If I'm not mistaken, I believe congrats may soon be in order for @strombo and @CoachesCornerCBC.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: Lots of talk @strombo will this week be named primary face/host of the other guys' nat'l package.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: And @CoachesCornerCBC is reportedly getting a new 2-yr deal. Sounds like Ron MacLean still involved but not as main man.

[Barnet Flame]

eh?

[Erick Estrada]

They could have done a lot worse here as Stroumboulopoulos should do a fairly decent job I would expect as host. Not sure how well educated he is on NHL hockey though.

[metroneck]

Um, that's interesting?

[_Q_]

Cool! I like George Stroumboulopoulos

[saXon]

Not bad for a much music beat reporter.

I've always liked him. He certainly has his own style, and it's nice to see that variance from the boring cookie cutter personalities that always seem to be brought in.

[schteve_d]

I like him too, a lot actually, but not sure this is the right place for him. We'll see I suppose and I wish him the best. Congrats.

[Mike F]

I'll wait & see if George is a good hockey host and not just a personality to draw younger viewers, but unless this is a part of a bigger overhaul that moves out Healey completely, replaces Stock & Weekes with credible hockey journalists, and (at minimum) reduces Cherry, this is shuffling one deck chair on the Titanic, IMO.

[Ashasx]

Uh, but what is his background in hockey?

He is good at what he does, even if he is a little arrogant, but how does that translate to hockey?

[schteve_d]

I still don't get the Stock hate. He's passionate and knowledgeable; he's not a stuffy white-shirt. Sure he's a little goofy at times but he's heart-on-his-sleeve honest and (I think) fun to watch.

Hating on Weekes, that I get.

[Joborule]

I think Strombo will do good as a host. To be a good hockey host, he doesn't have to be that knowledgeable (and I'm sure he has enough), since info will be passed along to him. He just has to be good at carrying the segments and work good with the "analysts".

Too bad there isn't any big name retired hockey players that Sportsnet could add on to the team. Makes it hard to even get close to the quality of US broadcasts like NBA on TNT and NFL on CBS have for their pregame/intermission shows.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Uh, but what is his background in hockey?

He is good at what he does, even if he is a little arrogant, but how does that translate to hockey?

The host hardly needs to be a sports expert. He could also be the face that does the big interviews.

[Enoch Root]

Interesting and bizarre. I hope this signifies the start of a complete facelift and re-brand. HNIC is very stale

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Uh, but what is his background in hockey?

He is good at what he does, even if he is a little arrogant, but how does that translate to hockey?

lol, compared to Ron MacLean he's Ghandi.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Interesting and bizarre. I hope this signifies the start of a complete facelift and re-brand. HNIC is very stale

The head guy for Rogers was quoting that he wants the broadcasts to return to telling the stories of the game, not just analyzing everything to death. This IMO is a big step in that direction because Strombo paints a really good picture and can tell a story with the best of them, not to mention his superior interview skills.

[clancy]

Originally Posted by nik-

lol, compared to Ron MacLean he's Ghandi.

Maclean is awesome.

[saillias]

Wow, big change. Is George going to give himself a crew cut and start dressing white-collar?

[Alberta_Beef]

We all loved and were inspired when Big Ern was on HNIC after hours, just imagine how amazing a McGrattan/Strombo interview would be!

[Dion]

Is Cherry the next one to be replaced?

[Da_Chief]

Is this Sportsnet doing this? or CBC? Either way, doesn't matter to me.