Ron MacLean

Early life and military family roots

Ronald Joseph Corbett MacLean was born on April 12, 1960, at the NATO Royal Canadian Air Force Number 3 Fighter Wing in Zweibrücken, West Germany. His father, Ron MacLean Sr., was a Non-Commissioned Officer Communications Operator stationed with the RCAF in Europe. His mother, Sarah 'Lila' MacDonald, was also an RCAF airwoman. The family's life was shaped by postings across Canada and Europe, moving back to Canada when MacLean was fourteen months old, initially to Chester, Nova Scotia. Subsequent postings took the family to Whitehorse, Yukon, when MacLean was four, before they eventually settled in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. MacLean attended high school in Red Deer, Alberta, where he met his future wife, Cari. His path to broadcasting began unexpectedly after high school when he was asked to fill in for a sick friend at CKRD-FM radio in Red Deer, leading to his first job in the industry and setting the stage for his future career.

Broadcasting career and rise to national prominence

MacLean's professional broadcasting career began in earnest at CKRD Radio in Red Deer in 1978. By 1984, he had moved to television, hosting Calgary Flames broadcasts on CFAC in Calgary and working as a sports anchor for local news. His big break came in 1986 when he joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, initially hosting Toronto Maple Leafs broadcasts on Hockey Night in Canada. He became the national host of the program in 1987, taking over after Dave Hodge's departure. This role soon included hosting the well-known and often controversial Coach's Corner segment with commentator Don Cherry, a partnership that would define a generation of hockey broadcasting. MacLean's contract negotiations with the CBC became national news in the 2001-02 NHL season when a stalemate led him to threaten to leave the network, prompting a public outcry that resulted in the CBC meeting his demands.

Beyond hockey, MacLean served as a key host for CBC's coverage of major sporting events for decades. He was part of the network's Olympic coverage starting with the 1988 Games and took over as chief anchor following Brian Williams's move to CTV. He hosted coverage of ten Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, and events like the Queen's Plate. A significant shift occurred in 2014 when Rogers Media acquired the national NHL rights. MacLean was initially removed as the main Hockey Night in Canada host but was retained for Coach's Corner and became the on-location host for the new travelling Hometown Hockey broadcasts. He was reinstated as the host of the Saturday night early games in 2016, replacing George Stroumboulopoulos.

Coach's Corner and the end of an era

The dynamic saw MacLean often playing the straight man to Cherry's outspoken opinions. The partnership ended abruptly in November 2019 following a broadcast where Cherry made remarks criticizing immigrants for not wearing remembrance poppies. MacLean, who had remained silent during the segment, apologized the following day. Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley announced Cherry's immediate departure, stating it was the right time for him to step down. On November 16, 2019, MacLean addressed the incident on air, reflecting on the events and officially announcing the end of Coach's Corner. The segment's conclusion marked the close of a significant chapter in both MacLean's career and Canadian sports broadcasting.

Refereeing and deep hockey involvement

Complementing his broadcast career, MacLean has maintained a deep, practical involvement in the sport of hockey as a certified official. He is a former Level 5 referee with Hockey Canada, the highest amateur level, and has officiated games across junior, minor professional, senior, and university leagues, primarily in Southern Ontario. His officiating credentials allowed him a unique on-ice opportunity during the 2006 NHL preseason, where he served as a referee for a game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 29, calling one penalty in the final minute. This hands-on experience has consistently informed his commentary and analysis, lending an authority and depth to his perspective that is rare among national broadcasters.

Awards, honours, and publications

Ron MacLean's work has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards over his long career. He is an eight-time Gemini Award winner, with his first coming in 1992 for Best Sports Broadcaster, an award he would win again in 1994, 1997, 1998, and 2001. He also won Gemini Awards for Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program in 2004 and 2006. In 2015, he received a Canadian Screen Award for Best Host in a Sports Program or Series. His contributions to sports have been honoured by halls of fame, including inductions into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2016, he and Don Cherry received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. MacLean is also an Officer of the Order of Canada and has received honorary degrees from Lakehead University in 2018 and the University of Alberta in 2019. Beyond broadcasting, he is a published author of two bestselling books:

Recent developments and future plans

MacLean continues to be a central figure in Canadian sports broadcasting. He hosted coverage of the 2022 NHL Playoffs and remains a key host for Hockey Night in Canada and Rogers Hometown Hockey. In 2026, he was part of the broadcast team for the Stanley Cup Final, where he faced criticism for a comment made during a parody segment. He apologized the following day for using the term 'roofies' lightly. Looking forward, it has been reported that Ron MacLean will return to Sportsnet's Saturday night Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts for the 2026-27 NHL season. This planned return highlights his enduring connection to the program and its audience, promising the continuation of his trademark style and deep engagement with the game for a new season of viewers.

Personal life and community service

Ron MacLean has been married to his wife, Cari, since shortly after their high school years in Red Deer, and the couple resides in Oakville, Ontario. He maintains a strong connection to the Canadian Armed Forces, reflecting his family's history, and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 1 Air Movements Squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg in Manitoba. In an act of personal bravery, on June 3, 2010, MacLean helped rescue a man attempting to take his own life by jumping into the Delaware River in Philadelphia. His interests extend to classic cars, as evidenced by a 2010 profile in The Globe and Mail that featured him and his 1986 Ford Mustang. These facets of his life paint a picture of a individual committed to service, family, and community beyond the broadcast booth.

Questions about Ron MacLean

Why did Coach's Corner end?

Coach's Corner ended in November 2019 following controversial remarks made by Don Cherry during a broadcast, where he suggested immigrants did not wear remembrance poppies. Ron MacLean apologized the next day for his silence during the segment. Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley announced Cherry's immediate departure, stating it was the right time for him to step down. MacLean subsequently addressed the incident on air, confirming the segment's conclusion.

What awards has Ron MacLean won?

Ron MacLean has won eight Gemini Awards for categories including Best Sports Broadcaster and Best Host in a Sports Program. He also received a Canadian Screen Award in 2015. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and, along with Don Cherry, received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 2016. He is also an Officer of the Order of Canada and has received honorary degrees from Lakehead University and the University of Alberta.

Where does Ron MacLean live?

Ron MacLean lives in Oakville, Ontario, with his wife, Cari. The couple met during high school in Red Deer, Alberta. His connection to the community is further recognized by his 2015 induction into the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame. He also maintains a strong honorary affiliation with the Canadian Armed Forces as Honorary Colonel of a squadron in Winnipeg.

What is Ron MacLean best known for?

Ron MacLean is best known as a Canadian sportscaster for the CBC and Rogers Media, serving as the assistant host to Don Cherry on Coach's Corner from 1986 to 2019 and as the host of Hockey Night in Canada. He began hosting Hockey Night in Canada telecasts in 1986 and has been the early game host ever since, becoming a national icon. His extensive career includes hosting the legendary Coach's Corner segment for over three decades. Beyond this, he is recognized for his deep hockey knowledge and has been a part of CBC's Olympics coverage since 1988. MacLean has also won multiple Gemini Awards for his broadcasting work.

Is Ron MacLean still hosting Hockey Night in Canada?

Yes, Ron MacLean is still hosting Hockey Night in Canada. He was reinstated as host of the early games on Hockey Night in Canada beginning in the 2016-17 season, replacing George Stroumboulopoulos. Recent reports indicate he is scheduled to return to Sportsnet's Saturday night broadcasts for the 2026-27 NHL season. His role has evolved over time, including a period where he was an on location host for the travelling Hometown Hockey broadcasts after Rogers Media acquired the national NHL rights. He continues to be a central figure in the program's coverage.

Was Ron MacLean really a hockey referee?

Yes, Ron MacLean is a former hockey referee. He was a Level 5 referee with Hockey Canada, which is the highest amateur officiating level. He refereed in junior, minor pro, senior, and university leagues across Canada, mostly in the Southern Ontario region. Notably, he served as a referee in an NHL preseason game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 29, 2006, calling one penalty in the final minute. This practical experience in officiating contributed to his deep understanding of the game he later broadcasted.

Sources and further reading

• Ron MacLean (Wikipedia)
• Ron MacLean scheduled to finally snap on this Saturday's ... (cbc.ca)
• Ron MacLean | Sportscaster | Event Host & Keynote Speaker (nsb.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.