Jim “Boomer” Gordon, the cherished host of “The Point” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, passed away Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, after bravely battling cancer. He was 55.
His death was announced Monday on the satellite radio channel at the exact moment his show normally began — a fitting farewell for a voice deeply woven into the daily routine of hockey fans. The news followed his leave of absence at the end of January due to declining health after fighting cancer for more than three years.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our friend and SiriusXM NHL Network Radio host Jim Boomer Gordon,” SiriusXM NHL Network Radio posted on social media, noting that he courageously fought cancer and passed away surrounded by family.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Gordon earned his nickname from a coworker who thought he resembled Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David “Boomer” Wells. He began at the channel as a producer for SiriusXM NHL Network Radio in its early days in late 2005, working alongside Hall of Famer Phil Esposito before eventually taking over his own program.
“The Point with Boomer Gordon” quickly became essential listening for hockey fans across North America, airing daily from 1-3 p.m. ET during the season. Gordon’s vast NHL knowledge, dry humor, and relaxed yet gritty Canadian style made him popular with both devoted followers and casual listeners. He was especially appreciated by fans in non-traditional markets who valued his ability to connect with audiences anywhere.
The show offered memorable recurring bits, including “dropping a bomb” — featuring explosion sound effects — aimed at underperforming NHL players. His summer lineup included annual staples like “Team Previews,” “GM Scorecards,” and the fan-favorite “Hey Bud, What’s Your Problem,” where he assessed what each team needed to improve, ending with a quote from Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” He also shared “My Non-Hockey Thought That Is a Hockey Thought,” weighing in on observations and frustrations in his trademark candid style.
Gordon was a trailblazer in fantasy hockey broadcasting, devoting an hour each week to deep, thoughtful analysis that appealed to both fantasy experts and everyday fans. Known for his sharp interviewing skills and nearly photographic memory for obscure stats and past draft choices, he often asked questions that even veteran guests had never encountered.
A passionate music lover, Gordon kicked off every episode of “The Point” with Moby’s “Extreme Ways,” the theme from the Jason Bourne films. The second hour always opened with The Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” and his bumper music frequently included favorites from Canadian bands like The Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and The Guess Who.
Despite worsening health, Gordon continued to host live through Jan. 13, pushing through chemotherapy sessions held every Friday. His longtime co-host and former intern Jake Hahn filled in during his absence, with Wednesday’s episode serving as a tribute to him. Many colleagues remarked that “he would have hated this,” believing he’d prefer they simply talk hockey on the Toronto-based network.
The hockey community shared tributes after learning of his death. The NHL issued a statement saying fans “were entertained by his passion and benefited from his analysis of our game and knowledge of fantasy hockey.”
Gordon often said local NHL broadcasts “should feel like comfort food,” a phrase that perfectly captured what he represented to listeners — warm, familiar, and always enjoyable. Fellow SiriusXM host Mick Kern called him “a sports fanatic with a steel-trap mind” who rose from Hamilton’s steel mills to become one of hockey radio’s defining voices.
He is survived by his mother Christine and stepfather David Peddle, sisters Susan and Heather, brother-in-law Ian Thornton, and nieces and nephews Madelyn, Shannon, Laszlo, and Clementine. His father, James Richard Gordon, died in 2014. A lifelong sports enthusiast who proudly made two holes-in-one, Gordon was cremated, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family requests that donations in Gordon’s memory be made to Hockey Fights Cancer or the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
