What to know
- Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi is ending after 18 years, with the production team announcing it will not return for the new NHL season this fall.
- The Punjabi-language broadcast gave Punjabi-speaking Canadians accessible Saturday night hockey coverage and highlighted South Asian players, families and fans. Punjabi was the fifth most spoken language in Canada in 2021, with about 942,000 people able to speak it.
- The program became known for its energetic commentary, including Harnarayan Singh’s viral “Bonino, Bonino, Bonino!” call during the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, which remains one of the broadcast’s most memorable moments.
- Fans across Punjabi, South Asian, and hockey communities expressed disappointment over the cancellation, praising the show for representation and inclusion. The decision follows Rogers moving traditional Hockey Night in Canada coverage away from CBC and onto Sportsnet earlier this year.
- The production team thanked viewers for welcoming them into their homes and supporting the show throughout its run.
Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi is coming to an end after 18 years.
The NHL broadcast, spoken in the Punjabi-language, will not renew for the new hockey season this fall, after the team behind the production announced the broadcast would be ending through a social media post on Friday.
The broadcast began in 2008 and, in recent years, has aired on OMNI Television through its partnership with Sportsnet. It provided accessible Saturday night hockey to Punjabi-speaking fans in Canada.
“This show brought our community closer to the game we love,” the announcement read in part. “It shared the stories of South Asian players and families and created a space that was truly unique in Canadian sports.”
The production was known for its upbeat commentary and helped introduce a new audience to the sport.
According to Statistics Canada, as of 2021, Punjabi was the fifth most spoken language in Canada, with around 942,000 residents able to speak it.
The special Hockey Night in Canada program included several standout moments during its run, including Harnarayan Singh’s famous call of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final’s goal by Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Bonino, which went viral for Singh’s energetic “Bonino, Bonino, Bonino!” call.
The cancellation of the program comes after Rogers decided earlier this year to remove the traditional Hockey Night in Canada broadcast from CBC, moving its NHL coverage to Sportsnet.
The program’s team thanked the fans in the same announcement post, saying their support meant everything.
“You welcomed us into your homes, shared your stories with us, and made this show what it became,” they said.
Fan reaction to cancellation
Fans of the program were disappointed following its cancellation, especially in Canada’s Punjabi and South Asian communities.
Some shared online the importance of the program and its representation.
“As a descendant of Pakistani immigrants born in Canada, even though I don’t speak Punjabi, HNIC Punjabi was special to me because I got to see people that looked like me be involved in the sport of hockey,” one fan on X wrote. “Sad to see it end, but thank you guys for everything ❤️”
“Representation matters. Thank you for showing folks that hockey is for everyone!” another fan on X said.
Even Hockey fans who didn’t speak the language joined in on the conversation.
“I never understood a word, but damn it if they didn’t provide some of the loudest, most excited calls I’ve ever heard,” one hockey fan said on X.
“WHAT THE HELL. I’m not even part of the culture, and this pisses me off,” another fan on X wrote. “I know plenty of guys who love their Punjabi coverage.”
“Oh, this is very sad. Canadian media should be investing in supporting minorities and inclusivity. Hope this decision can be overturned and everyone involved goes on to continue to have illustrious careers,” another fan wrote.
Many reflected on the show’s best moments, including the viral 2016 call.
“Thank you for giving us Pens fans the BONINO BONINO BONINO calls,” a Pittsburgh fan wrote on X. “Super iconic moment.”
“Thank you Harnarayan for giving a moment and call we’ll always cherish with that 2016 team!! ❤️” another agreed.
For many fans, the program’s legacy extends beyond the games it broadcast. Over nearly two decades, Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi helped bring a loved Canadian sport to the South Asian diaspora, giving broadcasters and hockey fans in that community a place within the fandom.
