After calling more than 700 games for Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition, sports broadcaster and hockey fanatic Harnarayan Singh got his big break — and made NHL history — by doing the play-by-play in English for the opening night of the 2021 NHL season.
Singh, who grew up in Alberta, is the first Sikh broadcaster to ever call an NHL game in English. The national, best-selling author says diversity in sports broadcasting will impact young fans.
“I was a kid who grew up wanting to do this, but I was told many times that it wouldn’t be possible because of how I look,” Singh told CityNews.
“Representation matters so much. I know you know for kids out there who are watching –when you see someone who resembles what you look like, or your community – it right away opens the door and it proves to them that they have a place in that industry."
Singh's new play-by-play announcer position is one of several sports broadcasting changes this season.
Radio announcer Jack Michaels joins the Sportsnet NHL team as Edmonton Oilers play-by-play announcer while analyst Louie DeBrusk and host Gene Principe return with intermission contributions from Bob Stauffer.
Cam Moon is the new voice of the Edmonton Oilers on 630 CHED.