When you think of famous Hockey broadcasters and some of the famous catch phrases, who comes to mind? Is it Foster Hewitt with «Hello Canada and hockey fans in the United States and Newfoundland»? Or Joe Bowen with «Holy Mackinaw?» Maybe it’s John Forslund and his «Hey, Hey, whaddaya say» goal call, and while each catchphrase and goal call is something that each individual should be able to call their own, the latter must’ve had a large impact on Leah Hextall as she was heard using it while working during the Chicago Blackhawks visit to Seattle recently.

While imitation is a form a flattery to some, Eddie Olczyk held issue with the way Hextall behaved by calling out the broadcaster for «imitating» Forslund’s routine call that’s heard on Kraken broadcasts. <>

Leah Hextall is no stranger to criticism in the way she’s carried herself in the past on live broadcasts and on more than one occasion she has behaved in cringeworthy ways and said some things that make you scratch your head; and while many would suggest that she’s been attacked because of the fact she’s a woman in a role that historically has been dominated by men in my opinion it takes a very special talent to be a broadcaster you don’t have to look far to find women who are successful in the same role that Hextall is in.

Although Hextall comes from a line of what many may consider hockey royalty, with her grandfather Dennis and her uncles and cousins, she has no apparent hockey playing experience and that may be part of what hinders her from getting over the hump in her present role. Cheryl Pounder as an example who had a long history of playing for the Canadian Women’s National team has been called the best colour commentator in Women’s Hockey». While you can’t compare to two styles of play, it may be time for Hextall to observe how other women in the role handle themselves to learn to become a better version of herself.