This in from Sportsnet, news that the regular Edmonton Oilers broadcast crew of play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels and game analyst Louie Debrusk will not call the Dallas-Edmonton series, with the network instead going with Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson, who did the Leafs-Panthers series.
The reaction online in Edmonton was immediate and angry:
Oilers fan alicia ^^^ 😆 @leashadawg
don’t forget to pray to the hockey gods for jack michaels and louie debrusk to call round 3 🙏
Edmonton sports writer Terry Jones @byterryjones
Edmonton fans main interest in tonight’s Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7? Whether they get ex-CBC Edmonton. Sportscaster Chris Cuthbert and Oiler Stanley Cup era Craig Simpson or current crew of Jack Michaels, Lou Debrusk and. Gene Principe calling games.
Hockey fan Adam Williams @AdamScottWilly
Not to take anything away from these broadcasters, but Jack Michaels and Debrusk are the voice of the Oilers. It’s really unfortunate and disappointing the fans won’t get to hear their call and passion! Disappointed fan here!
Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels @EdmontonJack
Appreciate the kind words from everyone watching on Sportsnet all year—and please continue as Gene nPrincipe has the West Final alongside CC & Simmer. Pleased to be rejoining Bob Stauffer on CHEDn880 after superb work from Cam Moon all season. Tune in & sync!”
Oilers fan DougieDman @OilDoug
So you take away the Oilers play by play team for the Leafs play by play team? Really? You don’t care what Oiler fans want.
Hockey fan Jim Roy @GutshotJimmy
SportsNet, DeBrusk and Michaels are obviously the favourites of Oilers fans. The only reason you get to cover this game is due to bribes basically. Pander to Toronto as usual and continue to be awful.
Edmonton hockey blogger Jackie Bondurant x-JB 🇨🇦 @JackieBee_16
BOOOOOOOO!!! … You really screwed the pooch on this one Sportsnet.
Edmonton sports radio commentator Dustin Nielson @nielsonTSN1260
Cool to see Gene get the bump to the ‘A’ team for a series! Deserves it!
Hockey fan Jackson @JackShepherd_9
Maybe Sportsnet can talk about the Leafs during the games. We’re all curious about the Leafs
Hockey fan Sunny 🏴 @Takhar77
Oilers fans get Jack Michaels pouring his heart out every single shift. Leafs fans get Craig Simpson lobbying for suspensions.
Hockey commentator Nathan “Grav” Murdock @NathanGraviteh
Jack Michaels is becoming my GOAT of hockey commentators as the years go by. Dude has me locked onto the screen for every shot attempt. The passion is intoxicating.
Leafs fan Darcy Armstrong @DArm91
Oilers whining. Consider yourselves lucky you even got Jack Michael’s your homer commentator for 2 rounds let alone even 1 this year.
Kamloops hockey radio host Jon Keen @JonKeenNLSports
The National audience finally got a significant taste of Jack Michaels in the playoffs and he did this thing. Hopefully it leads to more down the road. Oilers/Stars will get the #1 booth team of Cuthbert/Simpson.
Oilers fan TheOilersHankHill @HankOilers
Was hoping you would continue on TV. We are spoiled here in Oil country with you calling our games, it was nice to see you get the attention from around the league. I’ll definitely sync with you and Bob. Go Oil.
Oilers fan Joe Bart @bartman4444
That is brutal news, wanted you guys the whole way to the cup. You guys deserve it! Best in the business!
Oilers fan Wayne Nelson 🏒 🇨🇦 @nelsonaw78
I am saddened that you won’t be calling round 3. To be able to bring extra energy into a playoff game that is already bubbling over with it is a talent very few play by play people have. Keep up the phenomenal work, I know 880 ched will be blaring loudly across Alberta.
Jack Michaels is a passionate and dynamic play-by-play announcer, who brings his best in the playoffs. He’s reached a new level in these 2025 playoffs. When the play is most intense, no one is better than Michaels than capturing that vibe. He’s like that veteran player who can have off nights in the regular season where he needs to meander less to topics like his favourite movies and focus more on the game. But Michaels is an absolute beast in crunch time, an original, spontaneous and powerful voice.
I’m disappointed he and Debrusk won’t be going as far as the Oilers do in these playoffs. The two of them would have been great. I wish Sportsnet would go with Michaels and Debrusk on one channel of their many broadcast channels, so Oilers fans could stick with the ones they love. Is that possible?
Not to be, apparently.
I also get Sportsnet’s thinking in making the switch. Chris Cuthbert has risen to the top of the play-by-play world for a reason. He’s excellent at calling games. He’s also known and respected nationally.
Craig Simpson is also top-notch in game analysis. I’m more of a Bieksa/Ferraro guy when it comes to game analysis, but Ferraro works elsewhere and Bieksa doesn’t do that kind of on-the-fly game analysis, although I’m not sure why he doesn’t.
I’ll suggest we can all wish Michaels and Debrusk were making the call, and blast Sportsnet, while leaving Cuthbert and Simpson out of it. No need to lambaste them. Make sense?
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