Broadcast legends face exclusion from the Hockey Hall of Fame’s prestigious media honor because strict association bylaws bar studio hosts and analysts from consideration, The Athletic reported.
Handed out annually by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award recognizes radio and television professionals who make outstanding contributions to hockey. Past winners include Dan Kelly in 1989, Bob Cole in 1996, and Mike “Doc” Emrick in 2008, alongside the tournament’s namesake in 1984.
However, the association restricts the award strictly to play-by-play announcers and color commentators. Studio hosts and intermission analysts such as Don Cherry, Ron MacLean, Barry Melrose, and Dave Hodge remain completely ineligible under current guidelines.
“As the definition of broadcasting has widened, perhaps it's time for us to look at those who have filled critical roles in that space,” Matt Loughlin, the Devils' radio play-by-play announcer, told The Athletic.
Why do Hall of Fames wait until people die? Why do they adhere to arbitrary categorical rules that really mean nothing and can be changed with fewer than 12 words? Hall of Fames/museums simply tell a story and ceremonies give someone a chance to feel love from family and friends… pic.twitter.com/r4YZRaKfSx
Evaluating membership criteria
The debate intensified following the death of former NHL coach and ESPN analyst Barry Melrose in September, prompting renewed calls on social media for reform.
John Shannon, a longtime Canadian producer and sportscaster, sent an email in March 2024 to association president Chuck Kaiton advocating for broader eligibility. Shannon secured signatures of support from eleven prominent hockey figures, including Hall of Famers Brendan Shanahan, Luc Robitaille, and Brian Burke.
“This current criteria is tantamount, in my opinion, in the players category, to saying we don’t include goaltenders because they don’t skate very much,” Shannon told The Athletic, adding that the association hides behind its bylaws to maintain the status quo.
Kaiton, who has served as NHLBA president since 1986, acknowledged receiving the communication but defended the organization’s deliberate pace. Changing the bylaws requires a formal vote by at least 50 percent of the membership, followed by approval from a simple majority of voters.
Membership survey results
A membership survey conducted in 2024 revealed that 51.5 percent of 66 respondents favored expanding the award to include other broadcast roles.
Conor McGahey, the Colorado Avalanche radio play-by-play announcer, described the ongoing internal struggle between honoring the sport’s history and adapting to modern media developments. Proposals discussed at a February meeting included potentially adding a second Hall of Fame-sanctioned award or recognizing multiple honorees annually to clear any backlog.
“For me at least, it should be a very strong conversation as to whether or not it gets added to that category,” John Davidson, Buffalo Sabres senior adviser and the 2009 Foster Hewitt winner, told The Athletic.
How the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is selected
Who selects the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner?
A six-person committee composed entirely of past recipients decides the annual winner, with Chuck Kaiton serving as a non-voting administrator.
Can members of the general public nominate candidates?
Yes, anyone can submit a nomination to Kaiton, and the committee reviews these submissions during their annual spring meeting.
What percentage of members voted for expansion in 2024?
According to an internal survey viewed by The Athletic, 51.5 percent of 66 respondents supported expanding the award criteria.
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