Jon Abbott’s Ottawa connections run deep.
From 2007-11, the aptly nicknamed “Gentleman Jon” was a member of TSN 1200 radio in the capital, doing sportscasts for the station and calling Ottawa 67’s games.
After four years, the pros came calling, taking him to Toronto and Vancouver before he bounced back to Ottawa in 2021 to call Sens games for TSN. Abbott played goalie as a kid so he was accustomed to a platoon situation, working a time share on Sens games with TSN’s main voice, Gord Miller.
Today, Abbott bids farewell to Ottawa for a second time, signing on as the new play-by-play voice of the Calgary Flames on Sportsnet. After a full circle moment in Ottawa a few years ago, he’s got another one today in Calgary.
“The hockey world is a small one and often provides full circle moments,” Abbott said in press release. “Growing up in Aylmer, ON, my minor hockey team was named the Flames because of funding provided by a former owner of the Calgary Flames, the late Harley Hotchkiss. Mr. Hotchkiss was from the neighbouring community of Tillsonburg, and just as the Flames ownership continues to do today, he always supported his community through his love for the game. It is an honour to join both the Sportsnet and Flames families over 30 years later, and I look forward to many years of great hockey memories in Calgary.”
Abbott joins game analysts Kelly Hrudey and Greg Millen, also members of the goalie union at a much higher tier.
Abbott takes over for veteran Rick Ball, who joined the Chicago Blackhawks as their TV play by plan man earlier this summer. That hiring also has an Ottawa tie, as Ball now teams up with another of the best people in hockey, former Ottawa 67 Darren Pang on the Chicago Sports Network.
“Jon Abbott is a fantastic addition to the Flames on Sportsnet broadcast booth, especially as we begin our new 11-year regional broadcast partnership with Calgary,” Rob Corte, VP of Sportsnet and NHL Production, said in a press release. “His passion for hockey and this industry is infectious. Sportsnet is proud and excited to have Jon, Kelly, Greg, and Ryan bring all the great action of a new season to Flames fans.”
As a former colleague of Jon’s, I’ve always compared him to a young Canadian version of Mike “Doc” Emrick, who called NHL hockey from 1973–2020. Emrick is known for his uncommon level of grace and kindness and his accomplishments in the game speak for themselves.
Jon’s career has decades to go but I have no issues putting him in that same category. After he sets down the microphone, years from now, I’m betting his career and personality will be fondly remembered in much the same way.
Our family is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to join the @Sportsnet team and excited to become part of the broadcast crew covering the Flames. We can’t wait to call Alberta home! Flames fans, is it October yet?! https://t.co/pV3QK6xZSl
— Jon Abbott (@AbbsPxP) August 26, 2024
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