Jim Robson’s greatest calls with the Canucks ❤️
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— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) February 10, 2026
Jim Robson, 91, on Feb. 10. Robson began his 47-year broadcasting career in 1952 at CJAV Port Alberni at the age of 17, covering sports and calling play-by-play for the Alberni Athletics Senior A men’s basketball team. From there, he moved on to CHUB Nanaimo in 1955 and CKWX Vancouver a year later, helming play-by-play for the WHL Canucks, the B.C. Lions and Vancouver Mounties baseball. When the Canucks joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1970, Robson moved to CKNW as a play-by-play announcer, going on to call over 2,000 games over the next 24 years. He additionally did work for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, covering several Stanley Cup finals and NHL All-Star games, and contributed to television broadcasts for BCTV, CHEK-TV and VTV. Robson stepped down as the Canucks’ radio announcer in 1994, moving over to television full-time as the Canucks’ TV announcer for five seasons, until his retirement in 1999. Among the accolades amassed over his career, he was awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992, inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998, and the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He was named to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2002. Read more here.
Franco Nuovo, 72, on Feb. 8, following a heart attack. Over five decades, Nuovo was a constant presence in Quebec media. Arriving from the entertainment industry, he joined the Journal de Montréal in 1977, starting as a pop culture and film columnist. He continued as a columnist there until 2008, while contributing to Québec Rock magazine throughout the ‘80s and making frequent appearances on radio and television. He joined Radio-Canada in 1992, hosting ICI Première show “Je l’ai vu à la radio.” From 2011, up until last week, he had helmed “Dessine-moi un dimanche.”
Pete James, 89, on Feb. 4. Nicknamed “The Godfather of Sports,” James began his career at CKTB St. Catharines, before moving on to CHLO St. Thomas where he was known on-air as “Pecos Pete.” He eventually arrived in London at CKSL radio and then CFPL, where he served as sports director for 14 years on the radio side and another 25 in the same role at CFPL-TV through the late 1990s. He went on to serve as the morning sportscaster on 1290 CJBK for a decade. James’ local play-by-play and commentary over the years included Western Mustangs Football and the London Knights, most recently for Rogers TV. James received the RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. He was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. A banner hangs in James’ honour in the rafters at Canada Life Place. He’s also recognized on the Western University Football Wall of Champions.
Dave Reynolds, 82, on Feb. 4. Originally from Sydney in Cape Breton, Reynolds attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, dropping out in his second year to pursue a job at CKCW-TV Moncton. He worked at the station from 1963-67, going on to take a hosting position at CJCB Sydney. From there, he joined CFCF Montreal, then CFOX hosting morning radio and sports. An opportunity to join CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada presented itself in 1973, hosting Montreal Canadiens’ broadcasts between periods. While in Montreal, Reynolds also handled radio play-by-play for the Alouettes and Expos. In 1976, he moved to Citytv Toronto for several years, before eventually returning to CJCB-FM Sydney in 1981. He hosted the station’s morning show until 1990.
