The second phase of this year's NHL draft lottery — also known as the Alexis Lafreniere sweepstakes — will be held tonight, with the No. 1 pick to be awarded to one of the teams who bow out of the playoffs in the qualifying round.
It will also be Bob McKenzie’s final day on the job, at least in a full-time capacity. After 40 years in the industry, he’s going to move into a new role in September that will allow him to take a step back from his role.
He won’t be disappearing from your television screens any time soon, but all the same, many around the hockey world are taking the time to thank McKenzie for his incredible contributions to the game.
The man is a legend and has mentored so many, myself included. Working with Bob has been a privilege. He’s a big game player and that’s not going to change. Fewer hours, but tons of news and info to be shared in the years to come. https://t.co/A9IbDmDbWM
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 10, 2020
The best. That's it. That's the tweet. https://t.co/M65GVcAbHC
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) August 10, 2020
All of you are invited to the cottage tonight to celebrate. I’ll tweet address later. (You are the best Bobby) https://t.co/IBCEWPVbqw
— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) August 10, 2020
Thank you, Bob. For everything. https://t.co/LA9y5fyboz
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) August 10, 2020
What a career. Legend. Amazing teammate. But at least we'll still have you around even in the slow lane, Bob. https://t.co/mr00IjwCJB
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) August 10, 2020
.@TSN_Sports willingness to give print journalists -- @TSNDaveNaylor @markhmasters @kristen_shilton and myself -- the opportunity to report on TV happened because of Bob's work ethic, willingness to try new things, and neverending professionalism. https://t.co/EC8AkHC8Ex
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) August 10, 2020
Congrats to an absolute legend. I’ve learned so much from Bob over the years and he has simply made @TSN_Sports better. You set the bar for relationships, insight and professionalism #Bobfather. Enjoy semi-retirement. You’ve earned it! 🍷 https://t.co/oYo2njn2s8
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) August 10, 2020
The King. Long before he was Bobby Margarita, @TSNBobMcKenzie and I were the Baileys Bunch...we’ve had a lifetime worth of laughs, and more to come. https://t.co/IvU3DpA4NR
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) August 10, 2020
The sport will be bereft without this gentleman.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 10, 2020
All the best, Bob, and I hope you enjoy about a year of a reduced schedule and say “that was fun; I’m coming back.” https://t.co/fbQ2uUW7vO
You’ve been the Gold standard for so long, it has been awesome to work with you. Enjoy, work on the golf game and we will see you soon https://t.co/fvLgxkjGnn
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferrarotsn) August 10, 2020
Mentor, friend, absolute beauty. Enjoy your time Bobby, but you aren’t getting rid of all of us yet :) https://t.co/vMI35cKLXs
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) August 10, 2020
Thank you @TSNBobMcKenzie. Thanks for allowing me to share your journey over parts of the last 4 decades.
— Gino Reda (@GinoRedaTSN) August 10, 2020
Thanks for pushing us to see merely “good” wasn’t “good enough”. I look forward to sharing parts of your “limited” schedule over the next 5 years.
Enjoy my friend. https://t.co/HLaYvnCDYS
Thanks Bob for everything: The guidance along the way and the biggest thing I've learned from you is work ethic. There's always one more phone call to make or text to send. You have to put in the work to get results. There's many who haven't figured that out. https://t.co/uVst2G8LIB
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) August 10, 2020
Bob is a trailblazer by going from newspaper sports to TV, part time at first, and then eventually all-in. He showed the way for those like myself and so many others who’ve taken the same path and never looked back. https://t.co/hhbCO6q9TW
— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) August 10, 2020
Thank you, Bob
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) August 10, 2020
Congratulations. Nobody can ever touch what you did for hockey, on camera and here. More impressive is the consistent man and friend off camera. From protecting and bailing my ass out of #confirmed to the post TSN career weekly ‘NBC Day’ call I got for years. FOREVER GRATEFUL.
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) August 10, 2020
Thank you for all you have done for this great sport, Bob 👏
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) August 10, 2020
— AHL (@TheAHL) August 10, 2020
Congrats, Bob! Thank you for all that you've done for the sport. All the best to you in the next chapter!!
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) August 10, 2020
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) August 10, 2020
Congrats and thank you, Bob. Here's to The Hoot 🦉 and the greatest game on earth!
— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) August 10, 2020
I’d say open up a bottle of wine and enjoy but I’m assuming you’ve already done that a few times this summer. Well done sir
— Bryan Mudryk (@BryanMudryk) August 10, 2020
What a run, Bob! First ballot type of career sir. Enjoy the time away!
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) August 10, 2020
Bob you are an icon. Seriously.
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) August 10, 2020
