After 46 years behind a computer (or typewriter), The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek is retiring. He documented his long and illustrious career in his final Friday notebook column today but we wanted to honor him as well. We reached out to many friends, colleagues and former players and executives he covered to share their memories of Eric and send along well wishes. Here’s what they had to say.
GO DEEPER
After 46 years as a sportswriter, Eric Duhatschek is signing off
This is my 30th year as a hockey writer, starting at age 21 in 1995 at the Sun-Sentinel covering the Panthers, then onto the Star Tribune and The Athletic covering the Wild.
I grew up in a day and age where young writers needed mentors and I was lucky enough to have legends like Eric Duhatschek, Jim Matheson, Tony Gallagher, Cam Cole, George Johnson, John Dellapina, Larry Brooks and so many others to look up to and aspire to be like.
The one thing about Eric that I’ll never forget is despite my age and greenness, he always treated me like a veteran, from the start of my career to the end of his.
He treated me with the utmost respect and kindness, which is something I never took for granted. I got to watch how respected he was by the people he covered, from the players and coaches to the managers and owners. It showed me the importance of cultivating sources but doing so with grace, hard work and a passion for the game we cover.
Nobody loved this sport more than Eric, and it showed in everything he wrote. He was an incredible reporter and wordsmith. He is a Hall of Famer hockey writer and a Hall of Fame human being and it was an honor for my entire career to read his work, know him as a person and ultimately become his teammate. — Michael Russo, The Athletic
Eric is the standard bearer for integrity and professionalism in journalism.
I’ve always been impressed by his knowledge of the game and his unique insights into our sport.
But as much as I’ve enjoyed our conversations about hockey over the years, I will always be grateful to Eric for our friendship and the many meaningful talks we’ve had about life and family. — Paul Kariya, Hockey Hall of Famer
I had little hockey experience when I moved to cover the Avalanche, and Eric was nothing but good to me from Day 1. He always had time to talk through a story and lend historical insight. This past summer we worked together on a Hall of Fame tiers story in which we went through the NHL rosters and figured out who had a chance to make the Hall of Fame. Spending that time on the phone together was a joy. There’s no one better to talk hockey with than Eric Duhatschek. — Peter Baugh, The Athletic
In my nine and a half years as chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s board, Eric was one of my all-time favorite people on the selection committee. He was so good, so thorough with all his evaluations with every builder or player. He was fabulous. He was just a straight shooter. He was very good at what he did. He was not afraid to speak his mind regardless of who was in the room. He just called it the way he believed was the right way. I have the greatest respect for how he handled himself and for what he did and accomplished on the selection committee.
He didn’t pull any punches even if he was talking to you. He’d say, “You weren’t that good tonight.” “Oh thanks, Eric.” We would laugh and he’d say, “No, seriously.” And what’s wrong with that? — Lanny McDonald, Hockey Hall of Famer
For my 12th birthday, my Dad came up with a great gift: A subscription to The Hockey News. I used to read it front to back, every week, and my favorite writer in it was the erudite back-page columnist, who wrote from Calgary, not far from my little hometown. Eric’s writing always stood out, right from the beginning.
My first full-time job in the media business, 12 years later, was as an editor at The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper. I couldn’t believe it; I was being paid to read (and edit) Eric Duhatschek! I’d made it.
We eventually started doing a hockey podcast together at the newspaper, a show I had to prepare diligently for in order to keep up with Eric’s breadth of knowledge. He became a valued colleague and mentor in those years, and it was almost surreal when I was then able to hire him in 2017 to join our fledgling startup at The Athletic.
All of that is to say: Eric’s had a tremendous impact on my career, going back more than 30 years, and it’s been wonderful watching him continue to work with our young writers these past few years. Congratulations on an amazing run, my friend. — James Mirtle, The Athletic
Congratulations on a truly remarkable career. I can’t think of anyone in the business who’s more universally respected than you. You deserve every plaudit and Pina colada coming your way.
I know we viewed you as a close and valuable member of The Hockey News’ extended family during your many years of contributions. I felt like you cared about THN as if you were a full-time employee, which speaks volumes to your character. Best of luck and happiness on the next leg of your journey. — Jason Kay, former Editor-in-Chief of The Hockey News
Eric Duhatschek is one of my favorite media people that I worked with in my 30-plus years as an NHL assistant general manager and general manager. I enjoyed the times Eric and I did an interview but after the interview we spent an additional 20-30 minutes just talking about the NHL or family. Eric was a true pro in my mind. He had the incredible ability to do his job to cover the story but never crossed the line of trust. He was fair but right on point for his readers.
Eric had incredible passion for the sport and the NHL and his job was a labor of love. Anybody could feel his passion for the NHL and the people in the game. The NHL is a much better place for having Eric as part of the game for many decades. I want to congratulate Eric on an incredible career and wish him the very best. –Ken Holland, Hockey Hall of Fame executive
As a young sports obsessive growing up in western Canada, Eric Duhatschek’s work for The Globe and Mail, The Hockey News and Hockey Night in Canada’s Satellite Hot Stove was essential material.
His encyclopedic knowledge paired with a conscience and curiosity highlighted the aspects of hockey that make the game special. He often provided a perspective on teams and issues that might otherwise get overlooked in the churn of coverage. This had a defining impact on me and certainly helped inspire my own sports journalism journey.
I cherish the memory of Eric regaling me with story after story from his career one summer afternoon over a few backyard beers in The Athletic’s early days. Being his teammate these past few years has been a privilege. All the best in retirement, Eric! — Israel Fehr, The Athletic
Eric will always be considered one of the best to ever cover the game of hockey. He told stories better than most and was always in search of the truth. He has established a legacy built upon trust, respect and fairness. All of these traits are rooted in his passion for the game and for the fans who love the game of hockey. I am happy to be able to call him a friend and I wish him the best in retirement. — Luc Robitaille, Kings president and Hockey Hall of Famer
Our association goes back 40-plus years and I must say that throughout the years, I was always so impressed with Eric’s thoroughness and the research on every article. In the coaching fraternity, we value preparation and honesty, two qualities Eric’s definitely exhibited on such a consistent basis. I’m sure I can speak on behalf of many coaches you have dealt with in saying that your class and ethical approach to journalism is much appreciated. Enjoy an active retirement! — Dave King, longtime NHL coach
Eric was one of the first newspaper columnists in Canada to embrace the opportunity digital media allowed for breaking and/or reacting to news. Also, it never ceased to amaze me The Hat’s memory of moments he had covered in hockey or conversations he had had with a league executive, coach or player. That allowed him to provide a unique perspective to his readers. Finally, he’s been a pro’s pro as a hockey journalist and never losing the humility that endeared him with his peers and people in the game. — Steve McAllister, former Globe and Mail sports editor
I love reading Eric’s work. I love his mix of reporting and insight that only comes from someone immersed in the game. I’ll definitely miss that. But, as much pleasure as diving into a weekly Duhatschek column gave me, nothing made me happier than running into him on the road when we were both covering the league. As everyone knows, the road can be a grind. Sometimes, it can be lonely. But I cherish the memories of hitting a dinner with Eric and spending the rest of the night talking music or hearing stories about people we both crossed paths with through the years. Or maybe even trying to sneak into a nearby concert if we were feeling especially, um, brave. I can still hear his big laugh over the sounds of a dive bar on the road. Man, what a run he had. — Craig Custance, The Athletic
My parents were longtime subscribers to the Saturday edition of the Globe and Mail. Each Saturday morning, I’d rush to the front door, grab the paper, pull out the sports section and look for Eric’s story. There was always something intriguing to read about from a proposed rule change to thoughts on divisional realignment to a neat tidbit or anecdote from a player or executive. Eric had his pulse on the league and had a knack for having that come through in his writing.
Never could I have ever imagined I’d end up being Eric’s colleague. I wasn’t disappointed. Eric treated me like we’d been working together for years. He valued my opinions and sought my advice on story ideas with which I was more familiar. I was so fortunate I could bounce ideas off him or get advice for the right source on a particular piece. Being Eric’s teammate was one of the greatest thrills of my career. Wishing Eric and Lisa all the best in their next chapter together and many years of beautiful, extra-long Ontario cottage-country summers ahead. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic
“Trust” is the word that comes to mind with Eric, and what better word for a journalist? Readers could always trust that Eric’s stories would be fair, accurate, well-reasoned, insightful and witty. Editors could always trust in Eric’s diligence and professionalism. Those who played, coached and managed hockey could always trust in Eric’s respect for them and for the sport, and trust in his dedication to telling stories that mattered. Beyond all that, Eric, we’ll miss your deep kindness and good nature, and we’ll do our best to maintain the high standards you helped establish. — Rich Hammond, The Athletic
The first time I met Eric, it was because he’d accepted my starry-eyed fan invitation to dinner before a Jets game. We shared a meal and a pint, he graciously spun yarn and asked questions and got into some music discussion, and then when the bill came: I couldn’t find my wallet. I tapped one pocket and then the next, furiously trying to conjure cash or cards while hoping he didn’t notice, until eventually I couldn’t stall any longer.
“I’m sorry, Eric, I think I must have left my wallet in my car.” I stand up. I make him wait. I walk across the street to the spot I parked my car, unlock it, and frantically check the seats, floor mats, and centre console. Finding nothing, I consider driving away and resigning, but then skulk back to the restaurant where our literal Hall of Famer is forced to pay for my burger and fries… and side salad. And beer. If he was as annoyed as I’d have been in his shoes, he didn’t show it, but I think of Eric as someone known for his class and he showed it that day. Thank you for that grace, congratulations on an epic career, and all the best in retirement. — Murat Ates, The Athletic
Eric was Calgary’s first true hockey insider. In a way, I think he was a strong inspiration for me to pursue a career in sports journalism.
I got to meet Eric when I was a varsity reporter at the University of Calgary’s Gauntlet newspaper. I was covering a Flames event and was knocked off-balance a bit when Duhatschek came over, introduced himself and included me in a conversation he had been having with other reporters Steve Simmons and George Johnston. It was a sublimely subtle welcome to the fraternity I didn’t expect, but certainly appreciated and never forgot.
A couple years later when I was working for the Swift Current Sun, I took a page from Duhatschek’s playbook when I suggested to the WHL Broncos that I faux “tryout” for the major junior team while providing inside-the-room reporting. Team executives loved the idea, but it was quickly kiboshed by coach-GM Graham James. So much for that idea, Hat!
Duhatschek and I met up again in 1990 when I started working at The Hockey News and he was our Flames correspondent and weekly columnist. It was an enjoyable working relationship that spanned decades and we naturally talked about his travels, his son and daughter, his family in Ontario and mine in Calgary. There was often a friendly battle at the THN editing desk when it came to who got dibs on working with Hat.
I’ve always admired Duhatschek for being the sage and foremost voice of reason on hockey topics far and wide. What a career you had Eric. You’ve been a true inspiration for a lot of us. Take a bow. — Brian Costello, The Hockey News
