The 2025-26 NHL season is in full swing. While many teams appear to be taking North America’s premier hockey league seriously in its early stages, the Edmonton Oilers are still struggling to find their footing. The back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists are currently on a 2-1-1 record, not exactly a reflection of their deep roster. Naturally, the fans of the Western Conference powerhouse are feeling squeamish. And now, Edmonton’s hockey fans just got another reason to feel the blues.

Global Edmonton went on X (formerly Twitter) on October 17 to express their heartbreak about having to bid farewell to a veteran journalist from the city recently. “A sad announcement from our team,” reads the opening statement of the social media post, as if preparing the fans for the news they’re about to share. “Underneath John Sexsmith’s jovial demeanour was a steely resolve to give 110% in his fight against prostate cancer. For over a decade he won countless battles, but on Friday, succumbed to the disease,” the caption added.

John began his career with K-97 radio in 1990 and spent a year as an on-air host at 630 CHED before moving on to TV. Sexsmith was involved with Global Edmonton from 1997 to 2023, winning a national journalist award in 2014. The proud Edmontonian loved his job and was loved by his colleagues. “John was our friend but he was also an icon in this city,” said Global Edmonton managing editor Fletcher Kent, following Sexsmith’s demise.

Outside of covering sports, hockey was what brought the departed journalist the most joy. From being a high-performance coach with Hockey Alberta to being a proud parent of a WHL player, Sexsmith’s life was an ode to the sport. He was also a part of the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s philanthropy team.

Quite understandably, his demise has left a gaping hole in Edmonton and its hockey community. “Such a great person gone too soon. Condolences to the Global and Sexsmith families,” wrote one fan, trying their best to keep the morale high during the trying times. Well, the heartbreak is understandable, considering the Canadian hockey fans had to deal with a number of bolts from the blue this year.

Hockey fans take a moment to remeber their fallen brethren

6-time Stanley Cup winner and former Canadian Parliament member Ken Dryden passed away in September. The Hall of Famer also passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer, leaving the hockey fans everywhere tending to their wounds. And now, with another icon of the Edmonton hockey community taking his leave from the mortal world, the heartbreak feels compounded. “This is heartbreaking. John Sexsmith was my friend and a sports media icon in Edmonton,” wrote Derek Van Diest, NHL reporter, wishing peace for the departed soul.

“So sad to hear this news…John ended up writing for my Hockey Edmonton Magazine. So many words to describe John, but here are just a few: Positive, Professional, Courageous, Kind, and above all, a First Class Guy,” commented Rob Fuggitt, whose 30 NHL game-watching spree in 30 days made him an international sensation in 2015. “Very sad. Condolences,” commented another. As we lose another comrade to cancer, it only makes our determination to protect those who we still have with us, like the Rangers’ broadcaster John Giannone, more resolute. Giannone has also been fighting his battle with cancer, and he’s got the hockey community firmly standing on his corner.

“Grew up watching John on the nightly news as my parents always had it on. He will be greatly missed,” one long-time fondly remembered how Sexsmith made them fall in love with sports in general. Do you also have such chresidhed memories? Share some of them with us below!