'I feel very lucky': Meaghan Mikkelson embraces new role as the Flames' first female radio colour commentator

For Meaghan Mikkelson, hockey is a way of life. The two-time Olympic gold medallist is no stranger to the game and has played forward as well as defence for Canada. This time around, though, Mikkelson is gearing up for a new challenge.

In September, Sportsnet 960 announced that Mikkelson would take over as the Calgary Flames' first female radio commentator after its longtime colour analyst, Peter Loubardias moved to a new role as a reserve list scout.

This is a major development for Mikkelson who has been working part-time in the broadcasting industry for around three years.

"It's been very exciting," she said before adding, "It was the summer when I was approached with the potential opportunity and had to go through a whole audition process … it's kind of been a long time coming."

While Mikkelson's days have become longer and busier, she's grateful for the opportunity and doesn't take it for granted.

"I love the game of hockey. It's been a passion of my life and such a big part of who I am and everything that I've been through," she said.

"I've gotten to play hockey my entire life as a career and now I'm getting to analyze hockey as a career. Feeling very lucky, very fortunate, very honoured."

The two-time Olympic gold medallist said that she's 'always been a video nerd' and has often analyzed her own games and watched videos in a bid to improve her game. (Submitted by Meaghan Mikkelson)

Fascinated by sports analysis

Mikkelson was first approached by Sportsnet in 2020 when she got the chance to be a part of an intermission panel for the Edmonton Oilers broadcast with Gene Principe.

After that, she continued to participate in panels but didn't get to explore colour commentary as much, something that she's quick to acknowledge.

"I've done some colour commentary, but most of my work has been intermission panel analysis," she said.

"I did have some experience doing colour [analysis] both in the booth and at ice level … and I always knew that doing colour commentary and the real-time analysis of the game was something that I was really, really passionate about."

Mikkelson added that she's "always been a video nerd" and has often analyzed her own games and watched videos in a bid to improve her game.

She knows that one of the best ways to excel in her new role is to grow and evolve as a commentator.

"I'm trying to take it all in just to be a sponge and learn as much as I can, as quickly as possible, and become the best broadcaster that I can be," she said.

Guided by veteran broadcasters

It also helps that Mikkelson has had the opportunity to connect with experienced broadcasters like Cassie Campbell and Jennifer Botterill. While the former offered advice and guided Mikkelson when she first started working in the space three years ago, the latter boosted her morale by sending her words of encouragement.

Plus, Mikkelson often works with a broadcast coach at Sportsnet as they review her videos together and discuss her work.

"At the end of the day how you approach it and how you analyze the game and your performance as a broadcaster, It's a balance in figuring out how you bring your best analysis and your best performance," she said, adding that she likes to incorporate elements of her personality into her commentary and include some light-hearted humour coupled with detailed analysis of the game.

Mikkelson said that she's committed to ensuring that she inspires others to follow suit in an industry that lacks diversity and is dominated by male broadcasters. (Submitted by Meaghan Mikkelson)

Tara Slone, TV host and contributor for the San Jose Sharks and NBC Sports, thinks that Mikkelson's new role is cause for celebration.

"I love Meaghan," she said before adding, "I know her sense of commitment, I know her sense of drive and I also know her hockey knowledge … I've been so excited to watch her ascent within the broadcast world."

Her advice for Mikkelson is simple — to trust her instincts and rely on her knowledge.

Learning on the job

"The biggest and best way to learn is on the job," she said. "So you just have to throw yourself in completely and trust those years spent on the ice and off the ice, watching the game, learning the game, knowing the game."

Slone and Mikkelson believe that while things are better than they used to be, there still isn't enough diversity in the broadcasting space.

Slone said that one of the toughest challenges for female broadcasters is to deal with not 'seeing yourself reflected' in a field that's dominated by men.

"There are not too many female broadcasters in the hockey world and so it becomes a deterrent … I think on the analysis side, on the colour commentary side, and in particular on the radio side, women are very underrepresented and it's ridiculous."

Mikkelson knows that she cannot take her work lightly — she's committed to ensuring that she inspires others to follow suit.

"It is an industry that there aren't a ton of women," Mikkelson said.

"I have a responsibility to uphold and to do the best of my ability to bring my best analysis to hopefully continue to open up doors for women in the future."