Leah Hextall leaving NESN

mabrowndog

Ask me about total zone...or paint
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 23, 2003
39,676
Falmouth, MA
Chad Finn
 
 
NESN announced this morning that reporter/anchor Leah Hextall will be leaving the network at the end of August.
 
She will return to her native Canada for a soon-to-be-announced job opportunity with a broadcasting partner of NESN.
 
"Being a part of NESN and covering world class teams as the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins has elevated me not only professionally, but also personally," said Hextall in a statement. "I feel privileged to have had this time in Boston. NESN's support has allowed me to accept my dream job in Canada."
 
Hextall joined NESN in November 2012, coming from CTV (Canada’s most-watched network), where she had worked since 2005.
 
Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Hextall Sr. is her grandfather, and her cousin is former Flyers star goalie Ron Hextall, but she was not prominently involved in NESN's Bruins coverage, a source of frustration for her at times.
 
Pete Abraham ‏@PeteAbe 30m
Best wishes to @leahhextall, who is leaving @NESN to return to Canada. Always great to work with.
 
I know there are some folks here who weren't huge fans, but I really enjoyed her work. An easy-going personality, smooth vocal delivery, and clearly not a teleprompter-reading bimbo with minimal sports knowledge. She always seemed totally at ease with colleagues, players, coaches and other pro team staff.
 
But with Jamie Erdahl firmly entrenched as the primary Bruins reporter, she'd already reached her ceiling with NESN. Best of luck to her.
 

richgedman'sghost

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 13, 2006
1,870
ct
mabrowndog said:
Chad Finn
 
 
 
I know there are some folks here who weren't huge fans, but I really enjoyed her work. An easy-going personality, smooth vocal delivery, and clearly not a teleprompter-reading bimbo with minimal sports knowledge. She always seemed totally at ease with colleagues, players, coaches and other pro team staff.
 
But with  Jamie Erdahl firmly entrenched as the primary Bruins reporter, she'd already reached her ceiling with NESN. Best of luck to her.
Any reason why she was never given a shot at the Bruins gig when it opened up? With her bloodlines (granddaughter of Bryan Hextall and cousin of  Ron Hextall) and the fact that she expressed interest, it seems funny that Leah was never given an opportunity. If I was the NESN GM, I would have loved to have  moved Jamie to the Red Sox beat, Garry what'shisname  to the studio, and Leah  to the Bruins beat. 
 

Chad Finn

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
richgedman'sghost said:
Any reason why she was never given a shot at the Bruins gig when it opened up? With her bloodlines (granddaughter of Bryan Hextall and cousin of  Ron Hextall) and the fact that she expressed interest, it seems funny that Leah was never given an opportunity. If I was the NESN GM, I would have loved to have  moved Jamie to the Red Sox beat, Garry what'shisname  to the studio, and Leah  to the Bruins beat. 
 
Geddy, I thought that's what they should have done. I know she was disappointed when she didn't get the gig after Naoko was let go.
 

Corsi

isn't shy about blowing his wad early
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 3, 2010
12,955
Boston, MA
richgedman'sghost said:
If I was the NESN GM, I would have loved to have  moved Jamie to the Red Sox beat, Garry what'shisname  to the studio, and Leah  to the Bruins beat. 
 
Garry what'shisname is really, really good at his job, IMO.  If he had boobs, he'd be the best in the business.  And I'm really not saying that to be funny.  I've found him to be witty and self-deprecating, and he rarely stumbles over his words.  I don't disagree with those that would rather have a bombshell patrolling the sidelines, but Gary doesn't deserve the flak he gets.  Dude's good at his job.
 
Come to think of it, he's kinda got the personality of a SportsCenter anchor, so I agree with you on the studio bit.  The problem is, the production of those NESN highlight shows is so weak and bland, that his personality would get completely stifled.  I mean, they're still doing those shows in front of a cheesy green screen of an actual set. 
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,372
Chicago
Corsi said:
 
Garry what'shisname is really, really good at his job, IMO.  If he had boobs, he'd be the best in the business.  And I'm really not saying that to be funny.  I've found him to be witty and self-deprecating, and he rarely stumbles over his words.  I don't disagree with those that would rather have a bombshell patrolling the sidelines, but Gary doesn't deserve the flak he gets.  Dude's good at his job.
 
Come to think of it, he's kinda got the personality of a SportsCenter anchor, so I agree with you on the studio bit.  The problem is, the production of those NESN highlight shows is so weak and bland, that his personality would get completely stifled.  I mean, they're still doing those shows in front of a cheesy green screen of an actual set. 
Can anyone imagine Jenny Middlebrooks or Heidi Watney do the Sunday show with the kids? He's pretty good with the kids
 

Buckner's Boots

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 28, 2006
1,982
The Path of the Beam
Her slushy enunciation has made me crazy from the get-go, but her personality and knowledge are better than most. I won't miss hearing her, but I do hope she does well in her new endeavor.
 

ForKeeps

New Member
Oct 13, 2011
464
the1andonly3003 said:
Can anyone imagine Jenny Middlebrooks or Heidi Watney do the Sunday show with the kids? He's pretty good with the kids
 
Yes, but they would have to ban any boys over the age like 10 from being part of the show.