Huskies mourn the loss of longtime Huskies P.A. announcer, Bruce Gordon

Bruce Gordon, the longtime public address announcer at the University of Saskatchewan Huskies hockey games, has died.

Gordon died of heart failure Friday evening in Regina.

Known for his witty humour and colourful comments that went beyond the simple tasks of announcing, Gordon became a well-known and entertaining part of Huskies hockey games for more than three decades.

Longtime friend Terry Friesen said “he will be missed and I’m not sure if he can be replaced.”

“Most people knew him for his game announcing,” he said. “What they didn’t see was the work he did prior to and during the games.”

For many, many years Bruce Gordon has been the voice and wit booming around first Rutherford and then MPB. Huskie hockey has truly lost a part of what makes it so special with the passing of Bruce. We will miss him and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/qpYGJ1TIvl

— USask Huskie Men's Hockey (@HuskiesMHKY) May 31, 2020

Before each game, Gordon could be seen with his nose dug deep in his notes after meeting with coaches to double check the pronunciation of each player on both rosters.

“During the game he managed the game sheet, handled intake and did the announcing,” Friesen said. “Following the game he finalized the game sheet and met with the refs and coaches.”

Gordon’s involvement with Huskies Athletics began in 1979 when he was an undergrad student volunteering at campus station CJUS as the play-by-play announcer. When the station shuttered in 1985, Gordon shifted to an off-ice official.

“Bruce was a pro who took his role seriously and on occasion would insert his own bit of wit and humour,” Friesen said.

To hockey fans across the world, an unsportsmanlike penalty is often announced as a “10-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike misconduct.” To fans in attendance for Huskies games, that call often became “A 10-minute penalty for misconduct unbecoming of a sportsman” when Gordon was on the microphone.

Whether it be introducing a celebrity to sing the national anthem that was in fact an MP3 recording, or introducing the evening’s referees from some obscure league that may or may not exist, it was Gordon’s way of having fun and providing some added entertainment for the crowd.

“Bruce loved the game, the Huskies, and the crew,” Friesen said. “He was respected by Huskie staff, players, opposing coaches, and long time fans. He was involved with the Huskie for 35 years.”

“Our crew won’t be the same.”