Tom Anselmi

Professional Sports Executive

[Brian Burke @Burkie2020]

Cliff Fletcher was a Stanley Cup winner, HHOF fame. Classy, smart, fearless. Beloved and respected. Blessed to have worked with him in TO. Taught me to always try to make your deals bigger, so I did! 2 great kids, was lucky to work with Kristy and Chuck. Sad day. RIP, Cliff.

[Joe Bowen BA,LLD,U of Windsor @Bonsie1951]

Very sad to learn of the passing of a wonderful friend and outstanding hockey executive and GM Cliff Fletcher. He turned the Leafs around from the laughing stock of the 1980’s to one missed call and a Stanley Cup Final birth. RIP my Friend. You will certainly be missed

[Pierre Poilievre @PierrePoilievre]

The Prime Minister told Davos he wanted to close the “gap between rhetoric and reality.”

Here’s how👇

[Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie]

The trade is one for none.

Which is to say I’m exchanging my semi-retired TSN life of the last five years — doing the World Junior Championships, NHL Draft Rankings, a handful of Toronto Maple Leaf broadcasts, TradeCentre and Free Agent Frenzy — for a fully-retired life of doing absolutely nothing.

Well, nothing work related anyway.

Today’s Free Agent Frenzy is the last working day in a 48-year professional career that included stops at The Sault Star, The Globe and Mail, The Hockey News (twice), The Toronto Star, TSN, ESPN and NBC, amongst others.

It’s been quite a ride.

I’ll be 69 years old in August. I decided a few months ago it’s as nice a time as any to call it a career with the expiry of my current contract. If I had been so inclined to continue doing the World Juniors and draft rankings etc. at TSN, the opportunity was certainly there for me to do so. And I’m so grateful to TSN for that.

Honestly, though, I am looking forward to waking up on Christmas morning this year and NOT flying to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the World Juniors.

I’m also looking forward to doing more travelling with my wife Cindy; having more time to give my sons Mike and Shawn unwanted (and unneeded) advice; playing even more golf than I am now; and having my two wonderful grandchildren Blake and Gunnar running my show on a full-time basis.

After almost 50 years in the business, there are far too many people to thank individually, so I won’t even try to name any lest I leave some out.

Just know that I’ve been blessed to work for, work with and work against so many great people who gave me boundless opportunity, incredible support and intense motivation. The nearly five decades have gone by in the blink of an eye.

I certainly never set out to be the TSN Hockey Insider. It never occurred to me that I would work in television. All I wanted to be when I grew up was a hockey writer, to have a “job” to watch, write and talk about the game. You know, tell a few stories and try to capture the spirit of the thing.

Mission accomplished, I guess.

I couldn’t say goodbye now without a special thanks to everyone at TSN, past and present.

I first started showing up on the network in or around 1986-87. In the 1990s, I was working full-time hours at TSN but still had a full time newspaper job, too. Since 2000, 25 years ago, TSN has been my primary professional home.

It’s been a very special place on so many levels. The best part of TSN has always been the people. The best people doing the best work. What an honour to be one small part of the unsurpassed excellence that is TSN. Every time I’ve walked out of Studio Six at the end of Free Agent Frenzy on July 1, I’ve said to myself: “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

And it doesn’t. That’s especially true on this Canada Day because I’m so very proud to be a Canadian. 🇨🇦

I’m a very lucky guy. I owe the game of hockey, and all the people within it — the players, coaches, managers, executives, scouts, agents et al — so much; I owe my family and friends even more. 

Finally, thank you to anyone who has ever read, watched or listened to any of my work in any form at any outlet over the last 48 years. It’s been a privilege to share some information with you all, and try to have a few laughs along the way on social media or whatever they’re calling it these days.

I’ve cherished it all.

Fully Completely.

✌️and 💕 

-30-

[Ryan Gerritsen🇨🇦🇳🇱 @ryangerritsen]

100% he does.
Who else thinks @CoachsCornerDC deserves the order of Canada?

[The Buck You Will @TheBuckYouWill]

THE ORDER OF CANADA

Don Cherry is a FAR, FAR more deserving recipient of the Order of Canada than criminals Theresa Tam & Bonnie Henry.

The only thing 'controversial' about Don Cherry is his LOVE for Canada.

CELEBRATING TAM & HENRY IS JUST AN OUTRAGE.
`

[Andi Petrillo @AndiPetrillo]

So, I wrote a book!
Very excited, and nervous!
It comes out in the fall..hope you enjoy it!

https://t.co/tTy3giB5AD

[Andi Petrillo @AndiPetrillo]

😢

[Alan Frew/ GLASS TIGER @AlanFrew]

PLEASE SHARE MY VIDEO❤️I am thrilled and honoured to share this simple song with you today. A song, that I trust, invokes within you, the love, passion and respect, for all who have contributed to the tapestry of this great nation.

From the ancient beginnings of our magnificent Indigenous Peoples, to the times of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting against the horrors of despotism and tyranny, Canada has, and always shall be…Strong & Free.

When respected and honoured, Canada is a friend, an ally, and a beacon of hope for the millions she holds in her embrace today and for the millions yet to come.

Canada is NOT a coin to be placed into a slot machine, nor a card to be turned over on a gambling table. Canada is NOT something to be politicized, bartered for, nor sold.

I trust you will enjoy and embrace this simple song. A song and a tale that chooses no sides in the elitist, political arena. It comes to you as a celebration of Canada’s beauty and as a call to action, encouraging you to cherish and protect the freedoms we enjoy today.

With Glass Tiger, I have travelled the world carrying Canada’s message of friendship, including, to almost every “nook and cranny” within the great nation we call the USA. While travelling and performing there I have shared wonderful times with great people, who, like most of us, want only to live in peace and harmony with the rest of the world. I have also broken bread and shared fellowship in war zones with the brave men and women of our militaries, allied together to defend the freedoms that so many take for granted.

My friends, whether you be Canadian, American, or from wherever you call home, this is “Canada’s Song,” and I am asking a favour of you today. PLEASE SHARE don’t just hit the like button. SHARE the video with your loved ones, your friends, your neighbours, your cat and dog if ya have one. SHARE IT TO THE WORLD! Let’s rescue our freedom from the clutches of those who would have us bow to their self-serving whims. Thank you in peace and harmony, Alan ❤️

[NHL Alumni @NHLAlumni]

If you do ONE thing today, it should be watching this masterpiece. 🎨🏒
#NHLAlumni

[Nasher @TheNasher61]

Heartbreaking tragedy.

It really can’t be put into words.

Praying for the Gaudreau family, friends, teammates, and the entire hockey community.

[Joe Warmington @joe_warmington]

#RIP Cindy Cherry whose unexpected death has shocked her family/friends. She was a wonderful person just like her dad Don, brother Tim, son Del and late mom Rose. Class. The Cherry’s are a charitable family who raised millions for many causes including pet rescue. Terrible news

[Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC]

Incredible: For just the third time in Stanley Cup Final history, a team forced Game 7 after being down 3-0.

Toronto (1942) won
Detroit (1945) lost

Bedlam in Edmonton. See you Monday in Florida.

[Spittin' Chiclets @spittinchiclets]

The sports world loss a legend, Darren Dutchysen has passed away. RIP Dutchy ❤️

[Christine Simpson @MsChrisSimpson]

So sad to hear of Ron Ellis’s passing. We worked together at the Hockey Hall of Fame for the 5 years I was there. You couldn’t meet a more genuinely caring and lovely man.
My condolences to his wife Jan and the entire family. 🙏

[General Hillier @GeneralHillier]

We are so much lesser without this good man’s presence.

[Milk Boyz 🍁 @AustonStachews]

“WE’RE GOING TO BOSTON AGAIN BUDDY AND THIS TIME WE’RE GONNA FINISH THE JOB”

The greatest call ever #LeafsForever

[Bob Stauffer @Bob_Stauffer]

Poised, professional close-out performance by the @EdmontonOilers tonight!

Draisaitl 2 goals, 17 in 18 playoff GP vs LA.
Bouchard 3 assists, 3-21-24 in 18 Playoff GP vs LA.
McDavid 2 assists, 1-11-12 in the series, 8-28-36 in 18 Playoff GP vs LA.
EDM 9 PP goals in series.
LA 0!

[Don Cherry @CoachsCornerDC]

I'm sad to hear of my good buddy Bob Cole's passing. No one could call a game like Bob. Godspeed Bob.
#bobcole

[John Shannon @JShannonhl]

My heart is broken today. My friend Bob Cole passed away last night in his beloved St. John’s.

He was one of the sound tracks of our game.

He had a passion that every hockey fan felt every time he announced a game.

There will only be one Bob Cole.
And now he’s gone.