How a kid from Prince Albert stole the hearts of British Columbia’s hockey fans
For nearly three decades, the voice of Jim Robson resonated across British Columbia, becoming synonymous with the Vancouver Canucks and the early years of the National Hockey League team. Beginning in 1970, Robson’s broadcasts weren’t just game coverage; they were a shared experience for a province, delivered through radio, television, and simulcasts.
From Local Roots to Provincial Icon
Robson’s broadcasting career began in Port Alberni, B.C., at the age of 17, calling senior men’s basketball games. He broadened his experience covering hockey, lacrosse, football, and baseball before the arrival of the Vancouver Canucks in 1970 provided a defining opportunity. Rick Dhaliwal, a sports broadcaster and lifelong fan, noted Robson’s impact extended far beyond Vancouver, stating, “He wasn’t big for the city of Vancouver, he was big for the entire province of British Columbia.”
The Sound of a Generation
During the 1970s and 80s, Canucks games were primarily experienced through Robson’s radio broadcasts. As Dhaliwal recalls, fans often tuned out television broadcasts to focus solely on Robson’s play-by-play, comparing him to legendary broadcaster Vin Scully. A vast radio network ensured Robson’s voice reached listeners from Northern B.C. To Vancouver Island.
Defining Moments on and off the Air
While Robson didn’t call a Stanley Cup victory for the Canucks, he was at the microphone for their runs to the finals in 1982, and 1994. His call of the game-winning goal in double overtime during the 1994 playoff run, sending the Canucks to the Cup Finals, is remembered fondly. However, it was a moment during Game 6 of the 1994 Cup Finals – Trevor Linden’s determination to play despite being injured – that produced Robson’s most iconic line: “He’ll play, you know he’ll play. He’ll play on crutches. He will play, and he’ll play on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden; the game is over!”
Ironically, Robson’s most celebrated broadcast wasn’t even a Canucks game. CBC selected top broadcasters without playoff assignments to cover the Stanley Cup Finals, and Robson called the championship series in 1975, 1980, 1982, and 1983. It was during the 1980 Finals that he announced the New York Islanders’ Stanley Cup victory: “The pass, right on the stick of Tonelli. Coming in with Nystrom, Tonelli to Nystrom, HE SCORES! Bob Nystrom scores the goal! The Islanders win the Stanley Cup!”
A Legacy of Humility
Beyond his broadcasting talent, Robson was known for his humility. He always began broadcasts with “a special hello to all the hospital patients and shut-ins, those of you who can’t make it out to the game.” Dhaliwal, who received career advice from Robson early in his own broadcasting career, described him as “the nicest, humblest guy you will ever meet,” someone who actively avoided praise and recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports did Jim Robson cover early in his career?
Jim Robson began his broadcasting career covering senior men’s basketball, and later expanded to include hockey, lacrosse, football, and baseball.
How did fans experience Canucks games during the 1970s and 80s?
During the 1970s and 80s, many Canucks games were primarily experienced through Jim Robson’s radio broadcasts, with fans often turning down television audio to listen solely to his play-by-play.
What is considered Jim Robson’s most famous broadcasting moment?
While he had many memorable calls, Jim Robson’s broadcast of Trevor Linden’s determination to play despite injury during the 1994 Cup Finals, and his subsequent line, “He’ll play, you know he’ll play…”, is widely considered his most iconic moment.
As broadcasting continues to evolve, will the impact of a single, consistent voice remain as powerful as it was for Jim Robson and the fans of British Columbia?