2026 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME NHL MEDIA AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Gunnar Nordstrom to receive the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award and Chris Chuthbert to receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
By: Kelly Masse, Hockey HOF
TORONTO (June 3, 2026) – Eric Duhatschek, Member of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, and Chuck Kaiton, President of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, announced today that Gunnar Nordstrom will receive the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism, and Chris Cuthbert will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.
For more than 40 years hockey fans in Sweden have turned to Gunnar Nordstrom for NHL news. As a hockey writer and US correspondent for Expressen, a national daily based in Stockholm, Nordstrom has documented the careers of generations of Swedish NHL stars, from Anders Hedberg to Peter Forsberg to Victor Hedman. In addition to covering six Winter Olympic Games and four Canada Cup tournaments, the native of Örnsköldsvik has authored and co-authored several books, including a series of hockey novels for young readers and the biography, “Nicklas Lidstrom: The Pursuit of Perfection”.
“Gunnar Nordstrom has been the most influential hockey writer in Sweden for almost half a century and has earned the respect of generations of players and readers alike in that time,” said Eric Duhatschek, the 2001 Elmer Ferguson winner. “There can be no worthier choice for the first Elmer Ferguson winner outside of North America than Gunnar Nordstrom.”
Chris Cuthbert began his hockey broadcasting career as the radio voice of the Queen’s University Golden Gaels in the late 1970s. After further honing his craft with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Yorkton Terriers, Cuthbert made the switch to television and has become one of the most recognized voices in hockey. The Brampton, Ontario native has been calling games for CBC Hockey Night in Canada, TSN and Rogers Sportsnet for more than 40 years, and is the recipient of three Gemini and two Canadian
Screen awards. Cuthbert’s iconic call of the Golden Goal at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics further cemented his place in the hearts of Canadian hockey fans.
“Chris Cuthbert has been a true professional and a wonderful link to hockey fans for many years”, said Kaiton. “His exciting play-by-play has captivated audiences across Canada. He is well deserving of this award, and I look forward to presenting it to him in November.”
Nordstrom and Cuthbert will receive their awards at the Hockey Hall of Fame NHL Media Awards Luncheon in Toronto on Monday, November 9, 2026, and their award plaques will be displayed in the Esso Great Hall at the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside past award recipients.
Recipients of these awards, as selected by their respective associations, are recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame as “Media Honourees” – a separate distinction from individuals inducted as “Honoured Members.” Honoured Members are selected by the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend begins on Saturday, November 7, 2026, culminating with the Induction Celebration on Monday, November 9, 2026. This year’s inductees will be announced live on TSN on Tuesday, June 22, 2026.
Named in honour of the late Montreal newspaper reporter, the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in recognition of distinguished members of the hockey writing profession whose words have brought honour to journalism and to the game of hockey.
Named in honour of the late “Voice of Hockey” in Canada, the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association in recognition of members of the radio and television industry who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to the game of hockey.
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