ESPN has officially tapped former NHL star T.J. Oshie to join its NHL broadcast team. The network announced Thursday that the 38-year-old will serve as a studio and in-game analyst starting with the 2025-26 season, marking a seamless pivot from the rink to the broadcast booth just months after his retirement.
Oshie, a gritty forward known for his shootout wizardry and clutch playoff performances, hung up his skates in June after a 17-year NHL career that included stints with the St. Louis Blues and Capitals. His crowning achievement? Lifting the Stanley Cup in 2018 with Washington, where he tallied 33 points in 24 postseason games en route to the championship. Off the ice, Oshie’s infectious energy, trash-talking flair, and unyielding work ethic made him a fan favorite—qualities ESPN clearly sees translating perfectly to analysis.
“Thrilled to bring T.J.’s passion and insider perspective to our NHL coverage,” said ESPN’s senior vice president of production, Kate Jackson, in the announcement. Oshie’s addition bolsters an already stacked lineup that includes Ray Ferraro, Brian Boucher, and Steve Levy, promising deeper insights into the game’s nuances, from power-play strategies to the mental grind of a 82-game season.
The hiring feels poetic for Oshie, a self-professed SportsCenter junkie. In a heartfelt tweet reacting to the news, he shared: “My dad fell asleep to @SportsCenter almost every night… Honored to be part of the team now.” It’s a nod to his roots and the full-circle moment of joining the network that shaped his love for the game.
ESPN’s NHL rights, renewed in a blockbuster deal through 2027-28, have elevated the league’s visibility, and Oshie’s star power could draw in casual viewers while satisfying die-hards craving authentic voices. Expect him to break down Capitals rivalries with the same fire he brought to the ice, perhaps even roasting old foes like the Penguins with a wink and a grin.
TJ Oshie on X (formerly Twitter): “My dad fell asleep to @SportsCenter almost every night of my childhood. He would have loved this! Can’t wait to get started at @espn https://t.co/F8vOnD2S9l / X”
My dad fell asleep to @SportsCenter almost every night of my childhood. He would have loved this! Can’t wait to get started at @espn https://t.co/F8vOnD2S9l
