Jim “Boomer” Gordon, the beloved host of “The Point” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 55 years old.
Gordon’s death was announced Monday on the satellite radio channel at precisely the time when his show always started — a poignant sendoff for a voice that had become inseparable from the daily rhythms of hockey fandom. The announcement came after Gordon took a leave of absence at the end of January due to declining health, following a battle with cancer that began more than three years ago.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our friend and SiriusXM NHL Network Radio host Jim Boomer Gordon,” SiriusXM NHL Network Radio wrote on social media, adding that he had fought a courageous battle with cancer and died surrounded by his loved ones.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Gordon earned his memorable nickname from a colleague who noticed his resemblance to Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David “Boomer” Wells. He started at the channel as a producer on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio in its earliest days in late 2005, sitting shotgun with Hall of Famer Phil Esposito before eventually being handed the keys to his own show.
“The Point with Boomer Gordon” became appointment listening for hockey fans across North America, airing daily from 1-3 p.m. ET during the season. Gordon’s encyclopedic knowledge of the NHL, combined with his dry sense of humor and gritty yet laid-back Canadian delivery, made him a favorite among diehards and casual fans alike. He was particularly cherished by hockey enthusiasts in non-traditional markets who appreciated his ability to connect with fans regardless of their location.
The show featured memorable segments that became fan favorites, including “dropping a bomb” — complete with explosion sound effects — on underperforming NHL players. His summer programming included annual features like “Team Previews,” “GM Scorecards,” and the popular “Hey Bud, What’s Your Problem,” where Gordon outlined what each team needed to improve, punctuated by a reading of the titular line from Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” He also delivered “My Non-Hockey Thought That Is a Hockey Thought,” opining on observations and gripes in his tell-it-like-it-is style.
Gordon was a pioneer in fantasy hockey broadcasting, dedicating an hour every week to nuanced deep dives that both fantasy devotees and casual fans devoured. A skilled interviewer with an almost photographic recall for obscure statistics and long-ago draft decisions, he asked questions his heard-it-all guests hadn’t encountered before.
A huge music fan, Gordon started “The Point” every day with Moby’s “Extreme Ways,” the theme song of the Jason Bourne movies. The show’s second hour always began with The Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” and bumper music often featured his beloved Canadian bands The Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and The Guess Who.
Even as his health declined, Gordon continued hosting his show live until January 13, powering through chemotherapy treatments that occurred every Friday. His longtime co-host and former intern Jake Hahn hosted the show in his absence, with Wednesday’s episode serving as a tribute to the fallen broadcaster. During the tribute, many of his colleagues noted how “he would have hated this,” preferring that they just talk hockey on the Toronto-based channel.
Tributes poured in from across the hockey world following news of his passing. The NHL released a statement noting that fans “were entertained by his passion and benefited from his analysis of our game and knowledge of fantasy hockey.”
Gordon had a well-known saying about hometown NHL broadcasts: “They should feel like comfort food.” The phrase perfectly captured what Gordon himself meant to his audience — familiar, warm, and always a delight. Fellow SiriusXM host Mike Kern described him as “a sports fanatic with a steel-trap mind” who emerged from the steel mills of Hamilton to become one of hockey radio’s most iconic voices.
Gordon is survived by his mother Christine and stepfather David Peddle, sisters Susan and Heather, brother-in-law Ian Thornton, and nieces and nephews Madelyn, Shannon, Laszlo, and Clementine. His father, James Richard Gordon, predeceased him in 2014. A lifelong sports fan who proudly recorded two hole-in-ones, Gordon was cremated, with a celebration of life to follow at a later date.
The family suggests donations be made in Gordon’s honor to Hockey Fights Cancer or the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.