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James Donald Matheson (born April 7, 1949) is a Canadian sports journalist who has covered the NHL's Edmonton Oilers since their inception into the WHA in 1973 and the NHL in 1979. In 2000, he received the Hockey Hall of Fame's Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award.

Career

Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Matheson was born on April 7, 1949, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Jack and Peggy Matheson. Matheson had an intention to follow the footsteps of his father, Jack, a long-time sports editor for the Winnipeg Tribune. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in political science, and while in school, worked a part-time night shift with the Tribune.

Alberta

He got his first job upon completing school with the Regina Leader-Post, but moved west to Edmonton, Alberta six months later. Upon moving to Edmonton, Matheson got a job with the Edmonton Journal in 1970. He initially covered local curling and university sports, but quickly switched to hockey, when, in 1973, Edmonton was granted a WHA franchise, the Edmonton Oilers. Matheson became the beat writer for the Oilers then, and continued when the Oilers joined the NHL in 1979. He spent countless hours covering the team and its five Stanley Cups, and completed more than 300 stories per winter. In addition to writing, Matheson also was a part of the CFRN radio broadcasting team that covered the Oilers. After 24 years, he completed his tenure as beat writer for the Oilers in 1997. He now continues to write for the Edmonton Journal covering the NHL and the Oilers.

Later career

In January 2022, Matheson became a subject of international sports news after a heated exchange with Oilers player Leon Draisaitl after the team's sixth straight loss, calling Draisaitl "pissy" and accusing him of not providing the kind of answers he wanted for his column. A video of the exchange went viral on the Internet.

Personal life

Matheson resides in Edmonton with his wife, Marni. They have one son, Scott. He received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.

References

1. ^ Hockey Hall of Fame (2000). "Legends of Hockey - Induction Showcase". Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
2. "CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - CFL - Winnipeg: Matheson a true inspiration". slam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
3. "Oilers' Leon Draisaitl snaps back at reporter as tensions boil over in Edmonton". For The Win. 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
4. "Watch: NHL Player Has Heated Exchange With Reporter". The Spun. 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
5. "Heated Exchange in Edmonton Goes Viral - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-21.

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