Ron MacLean | |
|---|---|
 MacLean in 2006 | |
| Born | (1960-04-12)April 12, 1960 (age 65) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Employer(s) | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Rogers Media |
| Known for | Co-host ofHockey Night in Canada |
Ronald Joseph Corbett MacLean (born April 12, 1960)[1][2] is a Canadian sportscaster for theCBC andRogers Media, best known as the host ofHockey Night in Canada from 1986 to 2014 and again since 2016, and is also a hockey referee.
MacLean was born inZweibrücken,West Germany, at the NATO Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Number 3 Fighter Wing Zweibrucken, West Germany on April 12, 1960.[2] His father was stationed at the NATO RCAF Number 1 Air Division Headquarters, Chateau de Mercy, Metz, France where he was employed in the Chateau as a NCO Communications Operator (Crypto Centre).
Ron MacLean Sr., ofSydney, Nova Scotia, married in July 1959 at 1 Air Division Metz, a member of the RCAF, Sarah "Lila" MacDonald, fromIona, Nova Scotia. In 1956-57 Ron MacLean Sr. worked as a communications operator at RCAF Station Edmonton, while MacDonald was an airwoman/clerk stationed atRCAF Station Namao, just outside Edmonton.[2] Fourteen months after MacLean's birth, the family moved back to Canada, initially settling inChester, Nova Scotia. MacLean was four years old when his dad was stationed inWhitehorse,Yukon, with the Royal Canadian Air Force before relocating eventually inSylvan Lake,Alberta.[3]
He attended high school inRed Deer, Alberta, where he met his future wife Cari.[4] After high school, MacLean was prepared to attend theUniversity of Alberta until he was asked to fill in for a sick friend atCKRD-FM, which led to a job atCKRD-TV.[5]
MacLean has worked onHockey Night in Canada since1986–87. He began hosting telecasts inCalgary andToronto whenDave Hodge moved toVancouver. Hodge was later suspended, and eventually quit, protesting a CBC programming decision on-air. He worked his first Stanley Cup Finals that spring and has been the early game host ever since. Part of his duties included hostingCoach's Corner withDon Cherry.
Contract negotiations withCBC SportsExecutive DirectorNancy Lee and the president of English television had hit a standstill in the2001–02 NHL season. MacLean threatened to leave CBC on the advice of his agentDon Meehan.[6] That made headlines across Canada and following a hugepublic outcry, the CBC quickly gave in to his demands.[7][8]
In addition to hostingHNIC, he has been a part of the CBC'sOlympics coverage since 1988. He took over as chief anchor following the departure ofBrian Williams toCTV/TSN. MacLean was the main sportscaster and host for the2008 Summer Olympic Games inBeijing until his mother died, causing him to hand over duties toScott Russell.[9] In 1993, MacLean served as an ice level reporter forNBC Sports' coverage of theNHL All-Star Game inMontreal. MacLean has also hosted CBC's coverage of theQueen's Plate.[10]
Beginning with the2014–15 NHL season, MacLean was hired byRogers Media when the companyacquired the national rights to the NHL. MacLean was removed from the host position ofHockey Night in Canada, but retained his role as host ofCoach's Corner, and became an on-location host for the new, travellingHometown Hockey broadcasts introduced that season. On June 27, 2016, Rogers announced that MacLean would be reinstated as host of the early games onHockey Night beginning in the upcoming season, replacingGeorge Stroumboulopoulos.[11][12]
On November 9, 2019, MacLean's co-host Don Cherry made remarks duringCoach's Corner suggesting that Canadian immigrants benefit from the sacrifices of veterans and do not wearremembrance poppies.[13] MacLean, who nodded during Cherry's rant and flashed a thumbs-up sign at the end of Saturday's segment, apologized the following day for staying silent during Cherry's remarks.[14] The following day, Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley announced that Cherry had been fired: "Following further discussions with Don Cherry after Saturday night's broadcast, it has been decided it is the right time for him to immediately step down."[15] The following day, Cherry expressed his disappointment over MacLean's apology.[16][17] On November 16, 2019, MacLean addressed and reflected on the incident duringHockey Night in Canada, the first without Cherry, also announcing the end ofCoach's Corner.[18][19]
In addition to his work at the CBC, MacLean is a former Level 5referee withHockey Canada. He has refereed in junior, minor pro, senior, and university leagues across Canada, mostly in theSouthern Ontario region. He served as a referee in the September 29, 2006, NHL preseason matchup of theBuffalo Sabres and thePittsburgh Penguins,[20] calling one penalty in the final minute of the game.
MacLean has won eightGemini Awards for his work with CBC.[21] His first was in 1992 for Best Sports Broadcaster; he also won the Best Sports Broadcaster award in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2001. He won Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program or Sportscast in 2004 and again in 2006. In 1996, he was inducted into theAlberta Sports Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was inducted into the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame. In 2016, MacLean, along with his Coach's Corner co-host Don Cherry, received a star onCanada's Walk of Fame.[22]
MacLean received an honorary degree fromLakehead University in 2018,[23] and theUniversity of Alberta in 2019.[24]
MacLean was named Honorary Colonel of the 1 Air Movements Squadron at17 Wing Winnipeg of theCanadian Forces'Air Command.[25]
On June 3, 2010, MacLean helped to rescue a man trying to take his own life, by jumping into theDelaware River inPhiladelphia.[26]
In 2010, MacLean and his1986 Ford Mustang were profiled byThe Globe and Mail.[27]
ROnald Joseph corbett maclean.
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