'Trailblazing' NHL reporter Christine Simpson draws praise, admiration as her and Sportsnet shockingly part ways

The hockey broadcasting legend is looking for a new home as Simpson announced her departure from Sportsnet just weeks before the 2024-25 NHL season begins

TORONTO, ONTARIO - DECEMBER 02: Christine Simpson attends Canada’s Walk of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Celebration at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 02, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/WireImage)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - DECEMBER 02: Christine Simpson attends Canada’s Walk of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Celebration at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 02, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/WireImage)

Christine Simpson, one of the country's most prominent on-air hockey personalities, is moving on from Roger's Sportsnet after nearly three decades with the sports network.

The longtime reporter, host and analyst, who has sat down with every big name you can imagine over her illustrious career, announced the news via X on Wednesday.

"As my time at Sportsnet comes to an end I can’t help but feel grateful for my experience," Simpson wrote. "Since we went to air in ‘98 it’s been my absolute privilege to cover the NHL. Meeting so many men and women in the game and sharing their stories brought me more joy than you can imagine."

"This was so much more than a job to me. So while I’m sad to see my chapter at Sportsnet come to a close, I’m eager to see what my next chapter will bring. Thanks to all who have watched & supported me along the way."

Sportsnet’s public relations department responded to the news with an X post of its own, wishing Simpson the best and thanking her for “being a pioneer" in the sports media industry.

As you can imagine, the social post from Sportsnet prompted plenty of emotional reaction from fans, with most lamenting the network's decision to move on from one of the best hockey broadcasters and storytellers in the business — on either side of the border.

"Terrible decision by Sportsnet," wrote one X user.

"Looking for a younger cheaper replacement?" posted another.

One reply reads: "Sportsnet continues to make mistakes as to what type of journalism [Canadians] value. One by one, you’re giving us less reasons to view your content."

"They keep letting go of the wrong people," wrote another user.

The support for the Canadian broadcasting legend wasn't just limited to hockey fans. Several big-name media colleagues from coast-to-coast — in both Canada and the United States — took to social media to pay their respects to Simpson and detail what she meant to their careers, and the industry as a whole over her 20-plus years at Sportsnet.

It's not yet clear what comes next for Simpson, but based on her post it doesn't appear she plans on hanging up the microphone for good just yet.

Streaming companies such as Amazon, Netflix, Apple TV, and even Sportsnet's rival sports network, TSN, are all rumoured to be in the mix to acquire the Canadian NHL broadcasting rights when the current 12-year, $5.2-billion deal between Rogers/Sportsnet and the league ends following the 2025-26 season. It wouldn't be a shock at all to see Simpson land at one of those companies in the near future.

Simpson began her broadcasting career way back in 1998 when Rogers first launched Sportsnet, hosting her own show called "Showtime with Chris Simpson" while working her way up the ladder as a hockey features reporter.

The 59-year-old briefly left the network in 2008 but returned three years later and never looked back, establishing herself as one of the premier reports and interviewers in the hockey world. Simpson, who hails from London, Ontario, has also worked as a reporter for major U.S. broadcasters including ESPN, ABC, NBCSN, and the NHL Network.