“Never in doubt!” wrote lifetime Edmonton Oilers fan and sportswriter Bruce McCurdy. The Edmonton Journal writer’s post came shortly after the Oilers sent their NHL divisional rivals, the Golden Knights packing 3-2, to win the game. Little did the hockey community know that shortly after that post on X, everything would go wrong.
“Last night, shortly after the hockey game and this tweet was written, my father, @BruceMcCurdy, experienced a medical emergency and became unresponsive,” the longtime Cult of Hockey Podcast host son posted on social media. Kevin McCurdy wrote how his family immediately called 911 and tried their best to resuscitate his father before the St. Albert Fire & Rescue arrived.
Once on the scene, the paramedics wasted no time in rushing the sportswriter to Sturgeon Hospital, but their collective efforts turned out to be fruitless. “My father passed away,” Kevin McCurdy informed the NHL community in the “hardest” post he has ever written. The veteran journalist’s untimely demise shocked the hockey community to its core.
Bruce McCurdy had been attending Oilers games since the World Hockey Association (WHA) days. The late podcast host attended the WHA games from the 1972-73 season to the 1978-79 season. When the Oilers became part of the NHL, he purchased season tickets during the first years to watch his favorite team play, as per Dale Bochon of The Hockey Writers.
This will be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write.
Last night, shortly after the hockey game and this tweet was written, my father .@BruceMcCurdy experienced a medical emergency and became unresponsive. My family called 911 and resuscitation efforts were performed to the… https://t.co/yOY1gr0xaG
— Kevin McCurdy (@McCurdy1987) April 2, 2025
Meanwhile, Kevin McCurdy only asked the community to respect the family’s privacy. “We understand that Bruce touched so many lives in various communities, and we will do our best to advise what our next steps are,” announced the late journalist’s son. Needless to say, the entire NHL community, from veteran journalists to retired officials to regular fans, poured their condolences.
The NHL community lost an irreplaceable soul
The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman, who also reports on the Oilers, explained how kind Bruce McCurdy really was. Kevin, I’m so sorry for your loss. “I met your father a couple times and he treated me like a million bucks. I always enjoyed our interactions in this space,” wrote a fellow journalist. In fact, Nugent-Bowman even admitted to learning from Kevin’s father.
“He was so kind to offer praise or tactfully offer advice on how to do better next time. I’ll truly miss those messages,” added the reporter. And why wouldn’t he be eager to learn for a man of McCurdy’s experience? Dale Bochon dubbed the late NHL journalist as “one of the last true historians of hockey still working in the Edmonton market.” An irreplaceable journalist.
Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 had a similar opinion of Bruce McCurdy. “Kevin, very sorry for you and your family’s loss. I really enjoyed reading Bruce’s articles and our DM exchanges,” said the Daily Face Off Podcast co-host. Since McCurdy had been following the Oilers for so long, his bank of knowledge about the Edmonton Oilers was second to none. What’s more?
The Cult of Hockey podcast host had a nearly photographic memory of the years of years he spent watching Oilers stars craft their legacy on the ice. And maybe that’s why even retired NHL referee-turned-ESPN analyst Dave Jackson grieved the loss of the familiar face. “So sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences,” commented Jackson.
However, as Kevin McCurdy said about his father, the Oilers’ reporter touched lives even beyond those in the professional NHL realm. Comics artist Wendolyn Lambchop, aka Wendo, also commented on the post. “So sorry for your loss, Kevin. My sincere condolences to you and your family,” she wrote.
Kevin McCurdy didn’t just thank her but revealed that his father “absolutely adored” her work. “He thought very highly of you,” explained the late Edmonton Oilers writer’s son. Last but not least, even the regular hockey fan who listened to Bruce McCurdy only for insightful knowledge also grieved in the comments. They also agreed that no one can truly take McCurdy’s place.
“So sorry for your loss, man. I loved your dad’s analysis and analytics. Good guy. Not sure how they are going to fill those boots,” commented a fan. Bochon explained that while several renowned journalists like Jim Matheson, Terry Jones (Edmonton Sun), Mark Spector (Sportsnet), and more write about the Oilers too, none know the history the way Bruce McCurdy did.
And while Kevin McCurdy is willing to take his father’s work forward, it’s safe to assume it’s not happening anytime soon. And in what could be only described as poetic, the Edmonton Oilers also honored the late NHL journalist in a way, by beating the Sharks 3-2 to complete their hat trick.
The post “Sorry for Your Loss”: NHL World Mourns Shocking Loss of Renowned Oilers Journalist appeared first on EssentiallySports.
