TORONTO — Torstar Corporation announced today Chris Johnston, a long-time reporter at Rogers Sports and Media’s Sportsnet, is joining NordStar’s new gaming venture as its senior NHL insider.
NordStar Capital is the parent company of Torstar, having acquired the media business last year.
Johnston (above) has been hired to take a leadership role covering the Toronto Maple Leafs and the National Hockey League in general for the as-yet-unnamed gaming company’s sports betting business. Johnston’s work will also be syndicated to other publications, including the Toronto Star.
“Considered one of North America’s top hockey insiders covering the inner workings of the NHL, Johnston has spent the past nine years as a key member of Sportsnet’s hockey coverage team, including weekly appearances on Hockey Night in Canada as part of its second intermission ‘Headlines’ panel,” reads a press release.
Johnston began his journalism career at The Canadian Press in 2000 and moved to Sportsnet in 2013.
“I can’t tell you how delighted we are that Chris has agreed to join our group,” said John Boynton, vice-chair of NordStar, in the release.
“No one covering hockey today has his finger more on the pulse and heartbeat of hockey, from the drafty junior arenas up through the ranks of the major player agents, the Maple Leafs, and other NHL team front offices and right up to and including the league headquarters itself.”
NordStar co-owner Paul Rivett added: “I’ve watched and read Chris for many years. His encyclopedic hockey knowledge, sharp analysis, reporting skills, and an impressive network of contacts throughout the game will give us a huge edge in coverage of the Maple Leafs and NHL overall in the future.”
According to the press release, NordStar’s new gaming company “will offer unique gaming experiences that will create new jobs, offer growth for the Ontario economy, and generate new tax revenue to help Ontario communities.”
It is expected to launch in December 2021, according to an email from a company spokesperson.
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Photo borrowed from Chris Johnston’s Twitter account.
