BC SPORTS HALL OF FAME MOURNS THE LOSS OF 2000 INDUCTEE JIM ROBSON

February 10, 2026

For Immediate Release

February 10th, 2026

 

Vancouver, BC – The BC Sports Hall of Fame is mourning the loss of Jim Robson, the iconic broadcaster whose voice became inseparable from the Vancouver Canucks and from hockey in British Columbia for more than three decades.

“We’ve lost one of the most influential, respected and loved people in sport; the one and only Jim Robson,” says BC Sports Hall of Fame Chair Tom Mayenknecht. “Few have touched more lives than Jim did in hockey, baseball and all walks of life. He will always be remembered, not only for his unicorn talents but for being the quintessentially great human being.”

To generations of fans, Jim Robson was the Vancouver Canucks. From the team’s first NHL game on October 9, 1970, through more than 30 seasons on radio, Robson was the constant voice of the franchise, never missing a broadcast due to illness and calling more Canucks games than any broadcaster in history. As players, coaches and eras changed, Robson’s voice remained the soundtrack of Canucks hockey.

His calm authority, vivid play-by-play and unmistakable delivery made listeners feel as though they were seated beside him in the arena. Robson was there for every defining chapter in the club’s history, including Stanley Cup Final appearances in 1982 and 1994, and his signature opening line and heartfelt welcome to listeners at home became hallmarks of Canadian broadcasting.

“Jim Robson set the gold standard for hockey broadcasting in this country,” says BC Sports Hall of Fame Curator Jason Beck. “His preparation, consistency and deep respect for the game made him trusted by fans and admired by peers. And as legendary a play-by-play broadcaster as he was, he was an even better person: humble, friendly, inclusive. He made time for everyone, whether it was a fan seeking an autograph or sharing supportive words of wisdom with an up-and-coming broadcaster. No one cared for hockey and sport in general in BC more than Jim. He will be remembered as the best of us.”

Robson was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 in the media category, recognizing a career that helped define how sport was experienced in BC. Beyond the broadcast booth, he was also a cherished member of the Hall community, a mainstay at Hall of Fame events who took genuine joy in celebrating the achievements of others, offering encouragement, stories and applause with the same generosity that defined his career.