It looks like the USA’s next bout at the 4 Nations Face-Off is pulling everyone to the Bell Centre. At 8 p.m. tonight, Matt Boldy & Co. will lock horns with the neighbors in what could be the most scintillating match-up of the hockey tournament’s inaugural edition. The hype is so great that even Sean McDonough can’t stay away from the action and will seemingly witness the thriller on the ice from his regular seat.

The iconic sports commentator’s health has been a prime concern all season and on January 20, he voiced his last College Football Playoff National Championship Game for ESPN Radio. But that wasn’t enough to hold him back for the upcoming match between the hockey heavyweights. As per a post by NHL media tracker Braylon Breeze from February 15, Sean McDonough will be taking up his play-by-play commentating duties for Saturday’s game.

“After the conclusion of Finland-Sweden, Bob Wischusen confirmed on the ABC broadcast that Sean McDonough will be on the call for USA-Canada tonight,” Breeze’s social media post shared. McDonough was also scheduled to call Thursday night’s game between the USA and Finland. Awful Announcing later notified that an ESPN official had said that Sean had flu and wanted to sit out the game to recover and focus his energies on tonight’s high-stakes matchup.

The 2024 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 was the last time that hockey fans got to watch McDonough in all his glory as he brought his signature charm and expertise to the NHL. Even then, his commentating skills sounded not like his usual enthusiastic self, and fans were noticeably irked. “I hope the people who have heard me over the years know that’s not the way I usually sound. Maybe I shouldn’t have tried to power through it. Maybe I should have just stepped aside,” Sean said in June last year.

Since then, his health condition has gotten the better of Sean. Apart from being part of several college football games, including the Allstate Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia, McDonough has been out of commission for most of the hockey season. Until now, that is. However, Sean McDonough isn’t the only NHL community member who has been suffering from serious health conditions. Instead, it seems like many fan-favorite voices in the game are going through a rough patch of their own!

Sean McDonough isn’t a lonely traveler on the poor health road

Former Washington right wing and the Capitals’ legendary broadcaster Craig Laughlin has been dealing with poor health for a long time. The commentator missed several matches without any explanation, only to reveal later in January that he had to undergo heart surgery. “I’ve been advised by my group of doctors that I need heart surgery,” the NHL stalwart said last month. After a long and anxious wait, good news finally arrived last week. “I am thankful to now be at home recovering after spending 6 days in the hospital,” Craig shared on social media.

On the other hand, for the Rangers announcer John Giannone, things are much more grim. During a match between New York and Dallas last month, the MSG Network commentator revealed that he had prostate cancer. The news startled the community who immediately stepped forward to assure Giannone that there was indeed a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

However, it looks like 62-year-old McDonough is desperate to be part of the rollercoaster that will be the USA vs Canada in Montreal tonight. Considering the depth in each of the team’s roster, it’s understandable why Sean, like many other hockey fans, is feeling the excitement seep through his body. While his voice waits to make tonight’s match-up a memorable affair, which squad do you think has what it takes to emerge victorious in the high-octane 4 Nations Face-Off game? Share your predictions for the match with us below!