The wrestling world joined hockey fans in celebrating a broadcasting legend this week. When NHL insider Bob McKenzie hung up his microphone after nearly five decades in sports media, AEW’s Renee Paquette shared a heartfelt story that perfectly captures the veteran journalist’s impact on aspiring broadcasters.
A Touching Tribute From Wrestling’s Top Interviewer
McKenzie’s retirement announcement during NHL Free Agent Frenzy sparked an outpouring of respect from across the sports world. Among the tributes, Paquette’s stood out for its personal touch and genuine appreciation.
“This guy was always such a gem when he would let 18 year old me pick his brain about broadcasting. I used to try and find him in the stands at Bowmanville Eagle games 😂”
The AEW backstage interviewer’s tweet reveals the kind of mentor McKenzie was throughout his legendary career. At 68, the TSN stalwart earned recognition not just for breaking news, but for nurturing the next generation of sports media talent.
From Hockey Rinks to Wrestling Rings
Paquette’s journey from hockey fan to wrestling personality showcases how sports media careers can take unexpected turns. As a Toronto native, she would make the hour-long trek to Bowmanville Eagles games, seeking out McKenzie’s expertise on broadcasting fundamentals.
Those early conversations proved invaluable for the future wrestling star. Paquette cut her teeth at The Score in Toronto, spending three years on the wrestling show “Aftermath” before WWE came calling in 2012. Her persistence in learning from established professionals like McKenzie clearly paid dividends.
The Bowmanville Connection
The Bowmanville Eagles, now operating as the Cobourg Cougars, served as an unlikely classroom for broadcast education. McKenzie’s presence at Junior “A” hockey games wasn’t unusual – he was always scouting talent and staying connected to hockey’s grassroots level.
For an ambitious 18-year-old broadcaster, these games represented golden opportunities to learn from one of Canada’s most respected sports journalists. Paquette’s dedication to seeking out mentorship at local hockey rinks demonstrates the hustle required to succeed in competitive sports media.
McKenzie’s Legendary Career Impact
McKenzie’s influence extends far beyond hockey coverage, though his NHL credentials are impeccable. Since joining TSN in 1987, he became the go-to source for draft day surprises, trade deadline bombshells, and free agency scoops. His reputation for accuracy made him essential viewing during hockey’s biggest moments.
The veteran journalist covered six Olympic Games and multiple World Junior Championships, establishing himself as Canada’s premier hockey insider. Before his TSN tenure, McKenzie served as editor-in-chief of The Hockey News for nearly a decade and wrote hockey columns for the Toronto Star.
Full Circle Moments
Today’s media landscape shows how those early mentoring moments created lasting connections. AEW programming airs on TSN across Canada, and the network regularly features Paquette as their wrestling expert. When All Elite Wrestling runs Canadian shows, Paquette often appears on TSN programming to discuss the promotion.
This relationship represents the broadcasting industry’s interconnected nature – where hockey legends and wrestling personalities share common ground through storytelling and sports entertainment.
McKenzie’s retirement marks the end of an era in hockey journalism, but his mentorship legacy lives on through personalities like Paquette. As wrestling continues gaining mainstream acceptance in Canada, will we see more crossover between traditional sports media and sports entertainment coverage?
