If you were to pick a touchstone that is emblematic of Canadian culture, Hockey Night in Canada, airing every Saturday night across the country, would be that rock. And Nick Kypreos plays a vital role in that foundation, with his fellow Sportsnet colleagues. The 50-year-old former NHLer, who won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994, established his home base in Toronto, and transitioned seamlessly into broadcast once life on the ice ended.
He’s also part of the Hockey Central at Noon’s trinity with colleagues Doug MacLean and Darren Millard, which explains his stay in the Gateway to the West, as he shares some of his favourite things. Sportsnet is on hand for the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets’ Heritage Classic.
Even though he’s there on business, he takes a moment to share a funny story about how he almost threw his back out dancing to Elvis Presley with his 12-year-old daughter, Annie.
“It’s getting tougher to keep up with our kids as we get older,” he quips. When it comes to his down time, family plays a vital role.
Sure, he may have a golf simulator in his basement, but he still prefers hitting the links with his pop, George. And there’s his crew, wife Anne-Marie, and kids Zachary, 17, Theo, 16 and the aforementioned
Annie. It’s never a dull moment for Team Kypreos, and Chrome strapped on the skates with him recently, as the hockey sage offered a few of his favourite things.
FAMILY AND BELLY LAUGHS
“Usually the laughs come from my wife and kids who are most definitely the funniest people I know… No question, they do a great job of grounding me.”
APPLE IPAD PRO AND TWITTER
“Twitter (@realkyper is a big thing for me, whether or not it’s an opinion, or telling everyone P.K. Subban has been traded for Shea Weber. It’s really important for me in my job.”
CANALI SUITS AND GARRISON TAILORING
“I definitely cannot do without wearing a good suit on air. It’s got to feel good. Canali has been something I’ve been wearing for close to twenty years now.”
MERCEDES-BENZ E400
“Traffic is not getting any better in the city, and you need something that can handle it, or else you’re going to be stuck all day.”
CANADIAN HYDRATORS GP8 AND NEUENERGY
“I don’t want to push the sugar drinks, and to me (GP8 water) is the best thing out there… Neuenergy’s
derived from blueberries, and I’m a big blueberry guy. It’s something that curtails the caffeine hit that coffee gives you.”
NHL CENTER ICE
“I can’t go without the Center Ice package on nights when I’m not in the studio. I’ll have as many as three games on at the same time at home.”
GOLFING WITH DAD
“My dad took up the sport when he was 60, and now he beats me, and his buddies. He’s turning 83.” (Nick’s handicap is 14, but he’s trying to work it back down to 9 over par).
THE SPORTSNET TEAM
“We’ve got a great group of people who now bring the country hockey. It never feels like work.”
SONOS MUSIC SYSTEM
“We’re the type of family that will break out dancing in any room of the house.”
GAVIN MANAGEMENT GROUP
“(Stewart Gavin and Matt Bacchiochi) really helped me with my financial affairs. Being able to just focus on hockey, and now as a broadcaster, it’s so important that as an ex-player I tell players to make sure they protect themselves with their short careers.”