John Davidson will turn back the clocks of time Monday — for one night only.
During Saturday's broadcast between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators on FanDuel Sports Network, the announce team of Steve Mears and Jody Shelley shared news that the latter will be out for Monday night's game against the Edmonton Oilers.
In his place: Davidson.
The 71-year-old former President of Hockey Operations and current senior advisor for the Blue Jackets is no stranger to the broadcast booth and in fact, has a Hall of Fame career with the headset on.
After his playing career ended in the early 1980's, Davidson joined the MSG Network in 1983 and took over as the color commentator for the New York Rangers in 1986.
He worked alongside the legendary broadcaster Sam Rosen until 2005-06, and in those 20+ years became a broadcasting legend in his own.
During his broadcast career, Davidson also contributed to NHL coverage on ESPN/ABC, NBC, Fox, and the CBC.
For his contributions to the booth, Davidson was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame with the 2009 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.
Davidson left the broadcast booth in 2006 to become President of the St. Louis Blues. He was in that role until accepting the same role with the Blue Jackets, which he resigned from in 2019 to return to the Rangers organization, this time as their President and Alternate Governor.
He rejoined the Blue Jackets in 2021.
