ESPN’s Leah Hextall on her ‘very difficult’ first NHL season and the need for change in hockey

NHL announcer/sideline reporter Leah Hextall recounts ‘vile’ threats from social media hecklers

Leah Hextall 

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“First” is a word often associated with Leah Hextall, who is blazing a trail for women in sports and beyond.  

The National Hockey League Broadcaster is the first female to call play-by-play commentary for a nationally televised NHL game as part of Sportsnet’s first all-female broadcast team. Hextall also made history as the first woman to call an NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship game for ESPN in 2019. 

In the face of convention and, on occasion - harassment, Hextall stands on a stage, at the podium, or behind the microphone, reminding anyone who can hear that she is not one of the boys and inviting more women to join her.

A veteran broadcaster of nearly 20 years, Hextall has worked for the largest sports networks in North America. However, it took Hextall being laid off and pivoting to a career in politics before she reinvented herself and began her pursuit to become a professional play-by-play commentator. Hextall’s personal story of perseverance is filled with intimidating and uplifting moments. Owning her own her uniqueness, asking for the opportunity, and overcoming obstacles are just some of the steps on her journey. 

A native of Brandon, Manitoba, Hextall graduated from the Columbia Academy of Radio, Television and Recording Arts in Vancouver in 2003. She worked for CTV Winnipeg from 2005 to 2012 and for NESN as host of NESN Today from 2012-14. In 2016, Hextall pursued a career in hockey play-by-play, making her debut calling the Canadian Women’s Hockey League games in 2018. 

Hextall’s hockey heritage is noteworthy, beginning with her grandfather, Bryan Hextall, who is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. In addition, her cousin Ron was a goalie with the Philadelphia Flyers and currently serves as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, while her uncles, Bryan and Dennis, have had NHL playing careers that span more than 20 seasons. 

In 2021, Hextall joined the ESPN broadcast team where she serves as a commentator for select NHL games. 
