Two-time Olympic gold medallist Meaghan Mikkelson joins Derek Wills as Calgary Flames radio broadcast team

While the Calgary Flames hockey club has had many interesting questions swirling around it over the off-season, the departure of long-time radio colour commentator Peter Loubardias also created a vacancy on the radio broadcast team. Well, Sportsnet announced on Tuesday morning the new radio colour voice of the Flames, and it’s a significant one: two-time Olympic gold medallist Meaghan Mikkelson.

Mikkelson played as a right-shot defenceman, most notably for the University of Wisconsin, Calgary Inferno and Hockey Canada. She represented Canada’s national team at eight World Championships and three Olympic Games. She captured gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. She’s played a bit less in recent years but gotten busy on the media side, serving as a frequent voice and panellist on Sportsnet’s regional television broadcasts.

In short: Mikkelson has an incredible hockey resume and a familiarity with the NHL and the Flames. If the goal was to find an engaging, knowledgeable hockey person to pair with play-by-play voice Derek Wills, mission accomplished. Our pal Pat Steinberg remains the ringmaster of the radio broadcasts, as their host.

Sportsnet also confirmed that all 82 regular season games will be available on radio and television. All 82 games will be on Sportsnet 960 The Fan, while the television broadcasts will be split between 24 national games and 58 regional games. Rick Ball and Kelly Hrudey will remain the regional television team, with Ryan Leslie as their host.

The Flames begin their 2023-24 regular season schedule on Oct. 11 when they host the Winnipeg Jets at the Saddledome.