Hockey commentator honoured for services to media

Nick Irvine said the sport had been "more than a soundtrack for my life"

A TV commentator says he is "absolutely delighted" to receive an award for his long-standing hockey media coverage.

The Hockey Writers' Club (HWC) presented Nick Irvine, 72, who lives in Bloxham, Oxfordshire, with the Graham Wilson Award.

The award, named after the late hockey journalist, is presented annually to an individual who had demonstrated "exceptional" skills and dedication in the field of hockey media.

Mr Irvine said that while he wanted to be a voice for hockey "the game belongs to the players".

He began as a volunteer ahead of the 1986 World Cup in London, after which he put his name forward as a regional TV commentator for a domestic league game following Team GB winning gold in Seoul in 1988.

Mr Irvine has since covered Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and World Cups.

HWC said his "distinctive commentary style has not only enhanced the viewing experience but has also played a crucial role in popularising hockey across Europe and beyond".

The late Graham Wilson was described as "a very fine journalist" who did great things for hockey

Mr Irvine said he was "absolutely delighted" to receive the accolade that bears the name of Graham Wilson.

"He was a good friend of mine, a very fine journalist and an even better man who did great things getting hockey into the national media," he said.

Mr Irvine called it "the family sport".

"You can play it all through your life, ... we also have walking hockey for those who find mobility being an issue.

"It really is a cradle-to-grave operation and it's something we're very proud of within the sport."

He cited launching the National Hockey League for men as one of his proudest moments.

Although Mr Irvine is known as "the voice of hockey", he admitted he "absolutely hates it".

"I want to be a voice for hockey for sure, but the game belongs to the players," he said.

"Whatever I've done for hockey pales in significance against what hockey's done for me.

"I'm fully aware that my time in the commentary seat is beginning to come to an end.

"But while people keep saying nice things about me and this accolade is certainly one of those, then I'm tempted just to keep going a little bit longer."