Jim “Boomer” Gordon, the beloved host of “The Point” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, died on Feb. 23, 2026, after a courageous fight with cancer. He was 55.
His passing was revealed on Feb. 23 on the satellite radio station at the exact time his show would normally begin — a fitting tribute to a voice that had become part of hockey fans’ daily lives. The announcement came after he stepped away at the end of January as his condition worsened following more than three years of battling cancer.
“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 posted on social media, noting that he fought cancer bravely and died with family at his side.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Gordon got his nickname from a coworker who thought he resembled former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David “Boomer” Wells. He started with the channel as a producer during the early days of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio in late 2005, working with Hall of Famer Phil Esposito before eventually becoming a host himself.
“The Point with Boomer Gordon” soon became must-listen programming for hockey fans across North America, airing daily from 1-3 p.m. during the season. Gordon’s extensive NHL knowledge, dry wit, and easygoing yet rugged Canadian radio presence made him a favorite among both diehard fans and casual listeners. He was especially appreciated by fans in non-traditional hockey markets who valued his ability to connect with audiences everywhere.
The show featured memorable recurring segments, such as “dropping a bomb” — complete with explosion sound effects — aimed at NHL players not meeting expectations. His summer schedule included annual favorites like “Team Previews,” “GM Scorecards,” and the popular “Hey Bud, What’s Your Problem,” where he broke down what each team needed to improve, ending with a quote from Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” He also delivered “My Non-Hockey Thought That Is a Hockey Thought,” sharing observations and frustrations in his trademark forthright manner.
Gordon was a pioneer in fantasy hockey radio content, dedicating an hour each week to detailed, thoughtful analysis enjoyed by both fantasy veterans and everyday fans. Renowned for his skilled interviewing and near-photographic memory for obscure statistics and historical draft picks, he often posed questions that surprised even longtime guests.
A devoted music fan, Gordon began each episode of “The Point” with Moby’s “Extreme Ways,” the theme from the Jason Bourne series. The second hour always kicked off with The Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” and his bumper music frequently featured hits from Canadian groups such as The Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and The Guess Who.
Even as his health worsened, Gordon continued hosting live shows through Jan. 13, pushing through weekly Friday chemotherapy treatments. His longtime co-host and former intern Jake Hahn stepped in during his absence, and the Feb. 25 episode served as a tribute. Many colleagues noted that “he would have hated this,” believing he would have preferred they just talk hockey on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.
The hockey world shared remembrances upon hearing of his passing. The NHL released a statement saying fans “were entertained by his passion and benefited from his analysis of our game and knowledge of fantasy hockey.”
Gordon often remarked that local NHL broadcasts “should feel like comfort food,” a phrase that perfectly described what he meant to his audience — warm, familiar, and always a pleasure to listen to. Fellow SiriusXM host Mick Kern called him “a sports fanatic with a steel-trap mind” who rose from Hamilton’s steel mills to become one of the signature voices in hockey radio.
He 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, passed in 2014. A lifelong sports fan who proudly recorded two holes-in-one, Gordon was cremated, and a celebration of life will be held at a later time.
The family asks that donations in Gordon’s memory be directed to Hockey Fights Cancer or the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.