[News] Jim Hughson: Canucks Homer?

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Well, he is my uncle. Oh wait, have I not mentioned that before?

Anyway you could tell him to tone down his homerism at thanksgiving this year?

[btimbit]

I like Hughson, he's a great broadcaster. But he is no doubt, a massive homer. As a Flames fan it gets very hard to listen to him, for example, make excuse for Lack when the Flames score, and give nothing but credit to the shooters when Vancouver scores. I don't think he's doing it on purpose, he's emotionally invested in his team same way we are.

If these were regional broadcasts, I'd be fine with it. If he was a Flamer homer, I'd probably love him.

As much as I've whined about him lately, when you stop and think about it you can't blame him. Sportsnet/CBC's fault, they shouldn't have put him on this series. If he was calling these games and it wasn't against the Canucks, he'd probably be great

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Maybe you missed the first post in this thread:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...article624850/

And the 1001 times this subject has come up. I'm not saying it's an undisputed fact, but it's certainly a widely held opinion by many people all over the hockey world.

I think you are exaggerating things based on a single article from years ago. Pretty weak. What proof do you have that it is widely held outside fans like you?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think you are exaggerating things based on a single article from years ago. Pretty weak. What proof do you have that it is widely held outside fans like you?

I'd imagine it's all anecdotal, which isn't proof at all. GoJetsGo is setting himself up for failure if he's saying it's anything besides anecdotes.

But on the flip side, I think anyone saying Hughson doesn't show a bias towards his home team is also setting themselves up. Just anecdotal but it's pretty accepted amongst most fans I know (away from messageboards)that follow the teams. The guy loves his Canucks.

A Flames - Oilers game? Give me some Hughson
Tampa - Calgary? Sure, what's up Jim?

Vancouver vs anyone? Stay far away. He calls things from a Vancouver perspective if the Canucks are called. If it's a Canuck powerplay, it's focusing on the Vancouver side of things. If the other team has the man advantage? Focus on the Canuck penalty killers.

Again, anecdotal so throw away this post if you wish, and wouldn't blame you, but the guy loves Henrick, Daniel and the legand known as Lack.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Vancouver vs anyone? Stay far away. He calls things from a Vancouver perspective if the Canucks are called. If it's a Canuck powerplay, it's focusing on the Vancouver side of things. If the other team has the man advantage? Focus on the Canuck penalty killers.

Yep, those watching on TV tonight should keep this in mind while listening to him and you'll notice it a ton.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think you are exaggerating things based on a single article from years ago. Pretty weak. What proof do you have that it is widely held outside fans like you?

And I think you have blinders on if you don't think it's a widely held opinion among a significant number of fans.

The amount of times it has come up here over years, in addition to what's being discussed in the article is proof enough.

Many people feel this way. It's why this thread is here.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

And I think you have blinders on if you don't think it's a widely held opinion among a significant number of fans.

The amount of times it has come up here over years, in addition to what's being discussed in the article is proof enough.

Many people feel this way. It's why this thread is here.

Many people on Calgarypuck during a playoff series against the Canucks coupled with a 3 year old article from Dowbiggin.

I don't care how often it has come up here. That proves nothing. This site hates the Canucks.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Many people on Calgarypuck during a playoff series against the Canucks coupled with a 3 year old article from Dowbiggin.

I don't care how often it has come up here. That proves nothing. This site hates the Canucks.

I am currently unable to conduct an all encompassing poll, so I'll live with you thinking it's weak on my part to suggest it.

Still, years of threads like this and discussion from many fans across the league has me feeling good about saying many people think Hughson's a huge homer incapable of doing a professional broadcast that involves Vancouver.

I feel pretty safe thinking it's a valid opinion as well.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I am currently unable to conduct an all encompassing poll, so I'll live with you thinking it's weak on my part to suggest it.

Still, years of threads like this and discussion from many fans across the league has me feeling good about saying many people think Hughson's a huge homer incapable of doing a professional broadcast that involves Vancouver.

I feel pretty safe thinking it's a valid opinion as well.

OK well I would agree that many fans feel that way - which is different from saying people across the "hockey world" - which implies the opinion is held by non fans as well.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

OK well I would agree that many fans feel that way - which is different from saying people across the "hockey world" - which implies the opinion is held by non fans as well.

I thought that would go without saying considering non-hockey fans wouldn't have an opinion about hockey related things, and press and employees would be precluded and hesitant from sharing any such opinion.

[topfiverecords]

Gotta say Hughson did a pretty good job being more neutral tonight, and also a comment about the Flames kids parents just before the break. Broadcast crew with a few seconds on the Gaudreaus and Ferlands mom.

[Darkwater]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Gotta say Hughson did a pretty good job being more neutral tonight, and also a comment about the Flames kids parents just before the break. Broadcast crew with a few seconds on the Gaudreaus and Ferlands mom.

Those instances don't white wash his homerism. Sorry, listened/watched the entire game and his blatant love for the Canucks was loud and proud.

[Five-hole]

He had me wanting to barf in game two with the Legend of Lack comment, but had absolutely no issue with what he said tonight. Which probably means it may have been a bit Flames-slanted.

I'm wondering if he does try to call it from the home side a bit. If so, that takes some chops.

[JiriHrdina]

My interpretation of it is that yes - his call shifts with the home team, probably in part because of the energy level of the home fans.
I think the other element is that he knows the Canucks better than the Flames - which probably is why at times it seems like he is talking more about them.
That's why I don't think he's a homer - I think it is just more a natural outcome of where the bulk of his work is.

[GioforPM]

Who cares if he is a homer anyway? Doesn't change the game one bit. Makes the victory a little sweeter if he is at best.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

My interpretation of it is that yes - his call shifts with the home team, probably in part because of the energy level of the home fans.
I think the other element is that he knows the Canucks better than the Flames - which probably is why at times it seems like he is talking more about them.
That's why I don't think he's a homer - I think it is just more a natural outcome of where the bulk of his work is.

It's no coincidence that the worst reviewed Hughson game of the series was game 2.

If you're passionate about a team and your team is losing and then you have a guy praising the team you hate the most, it's going to be frustrating. I understand the frustration. It doesn't bother me personally, but I understand the sentiment. But the Canucks were obviously better that night and deserved the props from the announcers. The Lack story was big in Vancouver. The city absolutely loves him and he's a goofy likable guy. They wouldn't be doing their job to not talk up one of the bigger stories that night. The Flames have been getting plenty of love in Game 3 and 4 and again, deservedly so.

Do I think Hughson wants the Canucks to win? Deep down, probably yes. But I don't think it shows the way a lot of people do.

The fact that plenty of Canuck fans think he's been a Flames homer and plenty of Flames fans say he's a Canuck homer tells me he's been pretty balanced overall.

[J79]

Originally Posted by Darkwater

Those instances don't white wash his homerism. Sorry, listened/watched the entire game and his blatant love for the Canucks was loud and proud.

I absolutely agree! This was the most terrible game in the series.
It's getting absolutely ridiculous! His co-commentator (don't know his name, don't care either) is far more worse though.

[Zarley]

Hughson is a fine play-by-play man and one of the best in the business. We are lucky to have him out west calling this series. Why is it that some of you need to constantly complain about broadcasters?

[united]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Similar to how Godwin's Law works, if you have a Jim Hughson thread, eventually VANFLAMESFAN will show up.

And JiriHrdina comes flying in with blind defence of anyone in the broadcasting community, as usual. It's to the point you can say "I bet VanFlamesFan and JiriHrdina blindly object to comment obvious to almost everyone" and then open the thread and see exactly that. Hilarious. It's widely accepted around the NHL community he's a huge Canucks homer.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I thought he pretty subdued though I'm sure some will disagree. His team is getting the boots put to them though, it's hard to pump their tires when there's nothing good to say.