Former Olympian hockey player turned ace broadcaster, Jennifer Botterill, was named one of the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees and is set to join the hallowed halls later in the year.
2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Jennifer Botterill
Being introduced as a Hall of Famer is still sinking in for the Team Canada star. "I don't know if it's sunk in just yet," Botterill says with a humble chuckle. "I feel like every day I've been overwhelmed by the people that have been reaching out with very kind messages, emails and voice mails. It's been an amazing time to reflect and connect with people throughout my hockey journey. I don't think I've stopped smiling yet, it's been pretty incredible."
Sometimes, it's okay to answer unknown numbers
Getting that memorable phone call is one thing, but Botterill says there are many layers that make it even more unforgettable. "It felt very appropriate that I happened to be back in Manitoba, the province that I grew up. I was visiting my parents who have a cabin out at West Hawk Lake, and we were out for a boat ride, well, I couldn't hear my phone while we were on the boat. So, when I got back to the dock I took a peak at my phone and realized I've missed several calls from this one number that I didn't recognize, it just said 'conference call'. I starting thinking what it could be, if something was wrong and as I'm looking at my phone, the number happens to call again, so I answer it and sure enough, it's Lanny McDonald and Ron Francis. They share the news on behalf of the Hockey Hall of Fame. I was pretty floored and obviously just overjoyed. I could immediately share it with my parents, my husband Adrian was there, my three daughters, we're all jumping for joy, it was just a really beautiful moment for myself and my family."
Dreams really do come true
Becoming a Hall of Famer is a dream but for Botterill, all that went around it was the real dream come true. "It absolutely is and I can't help but laugh now that I can reflect on it because in the many great conversations I've had since receiving the nice news, a lot of it is looking back at your path and journey. For me, it started in Manitoba, going to the outdoor community rink, those moments that I feel in love with the sport. Those times with my parents when I was growing up, their support and encouragement that started it all for me. I can't imagine a better way to receive the news and to be able to give them big hugs and share tears of happiness as soon as we got the news. For me, the best way to describe it that I'm so thankful and grateful from my days starting in Manitoba and to the teammates, coaches and supporters, it's all been amazing and so special."
While her phone blew up with people reaching out to her, Botterill says the first person she called with the news was another family member that's also well known in the game of hockey. "We called my brother (Seattle Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill) right away. He had messaged and some other people kind of messaged but we wanted to stay in the moment, so being able to share it with Jason, it was so great, he's always been amazing and supportive. He shared how proud he was and how deserving I was, I think that rounded out a beautiful family moment."
Never thought it possible turned into a reality
Throughout her amazing career both as a player and now as a broadcaster, the thought of becoming a Hall of Famer never really seemed like it was possible. "I wasn't sure it would ever be possible. Over the last several years, I think it's been so wonderful to see friends and teammates that have been inducted and to have the chance to be at their ceremonies, celebrating them and reflecting with them, I think that was a fulfilling and rewarding journey for me. People at times had made comments along the way but I never knew it would be a reality or possibility. I will say, it's been so much fun to see people, whether it's friends of mine or teammates or even competitors, players from team USA have reached out, it's been great to see that and so many people who have earned that honour. I also know that there are so many talented people in the game that have had amazing careers that are also deserving, so I'd say it was never at the front of my radar which is why in a sense it was such a beautiful moment to receive that phone call. All I can say again is that I'm incredibly grateful."
Words of wisdom to fellow student-athletes
Perhaps there is no bigger point of pride for Botterill then her time as a student-athlete, dominating the ice and the classroom at Harvard and she had words of wisdom for other student-athletes no matter the level or the sport. "I think there's a few things that come to mind. One, have confidence in yourself, have that self belief in the sport. I think that inner confidence is so important and also understanding that ever athlete is going to have a different development path. There's not one set time frame or a certain path you have to take. When I look at players that I've played with at the University level, the club level afterward or the national team, we all took a different journey to get to that end result of making a NCAA team or a national team. I think we see that now even working in men's professional hockey, players that are in the NHL, they're making it at 25 or 26 after finishing University and getting a break. Every player is going to have a different path and different timing of when they're going to reach their full potential. Young athletes need to recognize that. That's a big one, having that inner belief about what you can accomplish. Second, dedication and hard work. There are times where you'll have to make different decisions than friends or people you're surrounded by, but appreciate that. Know you have goals and aspersions you're striving for, so be confident in those decisions along the way. The third thing is the importance of managing time. When it's time to focus on being a student, I really encourage anyone to be the strongest student you can possibly be. Be efficient with your time, if it's time to study or write a paper, be productive and efficient knowing that there is likely a practice, training session or a game coming up in your schedule. Then when it's time to be an athlete, you can just focus on being the best athlete you can possibly be. Learning to manage your time at a young age and focusing on each task so you can be as productive as possible in each window of time."
From playing the game to broadcasting
Making the leap from athlete to broadcaster has also been quite the experience for Botterill, who says it's like learning something new every day about the game you've loved your whole life. "I think that I'm fortunate that I love the industry that I'm in and I love staying connected to the game. It's been something I've really enjoyed. I've been really amazed at how many lessons I can draw back on from my time as an athlete that are applicable to my professional life now. Whether it's the dedication, the belief, the preparation and hard work, that's a big part of it, so that when I'm going into a show and covering games whether it's in Canada for Wednesday Night Hockey or Hockey Night in Canada or the work I do in the United States with the NHL on TNT, I'm an in-game analyst, preparation is a huge part of it. I go into it understanding the players, the teams, the coaches and the organization, having a grasp of everyone involved. Then, obviously in covering live sports, a lot of it is reacting to what's happening. I've focused on those elements and balancing being prepared and ready for each show and hopefully bringing some insight and analysis that draws people closer to the game. I want people to feel closer to the game, the players and the teams. I think when I first got involved, I knew it would be something different for me coming from a life of being an elite athlete, broadcasting is different, but I quickly felt as though I had something to contribute. It's not just showing up and going through the motions, it's about working every day to make that game more interesting for the people that are watching it."
An interesting part from the broadcasting side is walking the line of educating new hockey fans while also speaking to some who have spent years and years watching, and making sure to entertain and inform both sides of that coin. "I think that's something we're all very conscious of across North America," Botterill says proudly. "Whether it's Canada or the United States, you know you have viewers that know and understand the game, they've followed it for decades but you also have some that are new to the game and that's a priority for the hockey world. Wanting to expand and grow the game to reach more people, that's a tremendous vision of theirs and for us, it's trying to make the game fun, entertaining and highlight the skill and speed. There are so many amazing elements to the game, it's so fun to describe things as they happen. Hopefully, we bring a variety of elements where it's education people on many different levels. If you're new to the game, you can appreciate some of the elite skill sets the players bring and if you're more seasoned, you can enjoy the more detailed and subtle aspects, getting into the depths of talking structure and procedures. We want to deliver it all in an interesting way."
Manitoba should be proud of how they're growing the game
Looking over the growth of hockey in Manitoba, Botterill couldn't be prouder of how it's grown and how many Manitobans are are taking the hockey world by storm on so many different levels. "It's just super exciting, and for me, looking back it's something I'm so proud have been a part of. Thinking back to when I was young, there were just a few girls teams back in my era and now, seeing all of the opportunities for people in the game. Boys hockey, girls hockey, how well they're doing at the provincial level, the international level, at junior or senior national teams, it's just a great reflection of the province. Having these grassroots programs, school programs where people feel excited about the opportunities but they're also getting great coaching and development, it's all things the province and those involved should be very proud of. It's great to see."
Humbling might be an understatement
As she prepares to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame, Botterill says going in with this group that includes the likes of Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Alexander Mogilny, Duncan Keith and Brianna Decker, is truly mind blowing. "It's kind of hard to find words for that," she says with her trademark laugh. "To go through what the fellow inductees have accomplished, it's very remarkable. If you're thinking about an environment that can be incredibly humbling, I think it's that. You go through everyone who's going in from the athletes to the builders, what they've done in the sport, how they are leaders, how people in the hockey world talk about them with the utmost respect, it's absolutely amazing. I think it's something that fills my heart and I'm so honoured and humbled."
Lots of time to think about rings
With the Hockey Hall of Fame comes a ceremony but also the legendary Hockey Hall of Fame ring and Botterill says she didn't think about it until a well-known and very interesting co-worker brought it up. "It hadn't crossed my mind but one of my colleagues on TNT, Paul Bissonnette, that was one of the things he mentioned to me in his message to me. He said they're pretty impressive, so it's something I should be looking forward to. But no, no further strategy than that to this point."
From traveling the world playing hockey to bringing fans from around the globe closer to the game as a broadcaster, that moment her phone rang while on a dock in Manitoba, surrounded by family, will be the ultimate cherished memory for Hall of Famer Jennifer Botterill.