Jim “Boomer” Gordon, the cherished host of “The Point” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, passed away on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, after bravely battling cancer. He was 55.
His passing was shared on the satellite radio channel Monday at the exact moment his show would normally begin — a fitting farewell for a voice that had become part of hockey fans’ daily routine. The news followed his leave of absence in late January as his health worsened, 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 announced on social media, noting that he faced cancer with courage and died surrounded by family.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Gordon received his unforgettable nickname from a colleague who thought he resembled Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David “Boomer” Wells. He joined SiriusXM NHL Network Radio as a producer in its early days in late 2005, sharing the studio with Hall of Famer Phil Esposito before eventually being given his own program.
“The Point with Boomer Gordon” quickly became must-listen radio for hockey fans across North America, airing daily from 1–3 p.m. ET during the season. Gordon’s vast knowledge of the NHL, paired with his dry wit and relaxed, gritty Canadian delivery, made him popular among hardcore and casual fans alike. He was especially admired by listeners in non-traditional hockey markets who appreciated his ability to reach fans wherever they were.
The show became known for signature segments, such as “dropping a bomb” — complete with explosive sound effects — on struggling NHL players. His summer lineup featured recurring favorites like “Team Previews,” “GM Scorecards,” and the well-loved “Hey Bud, What’s Your Problem,” where he broke down each team’s areas for improvement, 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,” offering observations and complaints with his trademark bluntness.
A trailblazer in fantasy hockey coverage, Gordon devoted an hour each week to detailed analysis that avid fantasy players and casual listeners alike enjoyed. Known for sharp interviewing skills and near-photographic recall of obscure stats and old draft choices, he asked questions even seasoned guests weren’t expecting.
A passionate music lover, Gordon opened each episode of “The Point” with Moby’s “Extreme Ways,” the theme from the Jason Bourne films. The show’s second hour routinely kicked off with The Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” and his bumper music frequently included favorite Canadian artists like The Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and The Guess Who.
Despite his declining health, Gordon kept hosting live until Jan. 13, pushing through chemotherapy sessions 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 would rather they simply talk hockey on the Toronto-based station.
After the announcement of his death, tributes came from all corners of the hockey community. 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 that local NHL broadcasts “should feel like comfort food.” The sentiment perfectly summed up what he meant to listeners — familiar, warm, and always enjoyable. Fellow SiriusXM host Mick Kern called him “a sports fanatic with a steel-trap mind” who rose from the steel mills of Hamilton to become one of hockey radio’s most memorable 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, passed away in 2014. A lifelong sports lover who proudly recorded two holes-in-one, Gordon was cremated, with a celebration of life to be held at a later date.
The family asks that donations be made in Gordon’s memory to Hockey Fights Cancer or the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
