Hockey isn芒鈧劉t just a North American and European sport 芒鈧�� it芒鈧劉s truly global.
And in a nation such as Canada which embraces multiculturalism, it appeals to a cornucopia of ethnic groups.
To whit: the growing popularity of CBC芒鈧劉s Hockey Night In Canada (HNIC) Punjabi and its hosts, play-by-play announcer Harnarayan Singh and colour commentators Bhola Singh Chauhan and Inderpreet Cumo.
During the National Hockey League season, they call Saturday night doubleheaders involving the Canadian teams, and during the post-season, they follow one series per round all the way to the Stanley Cup final, Singh explained.
The trio was at Preston GM on the 91原创 Bypass on Sunday afternoon. For more than three hours, they sat behind the HNIC desk, signing autographs and visiting with their legion of fans.
The 29-year-old Singh is in his seventh season calling games with CBC芒鈧劉s HNIC Punjabi and brings a familiar voice to Canada芒鈧劉s South Asian community every Saturday night.
As a visible minority youngster growing up in Southern Alberta, Singh was able to use his love of hockey to connect with other classmates, he told the 91原创 Advance.
芒鈧揑t really broke the ice with them,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揥hen I reflect back on it, I became very obsessive-compulsive with the game of hockey.芒鈧�
Outside of his duties with CBC, Singh enjoys playing tabla and harmonium, which he has performed across Canada, the U.S., and India.
Cumo, 32, brings a vast knowledge of hockey to his role with CBC and counts calling the 2012 Stanley Cup final alongside Singh and Chauhan as the highlight of his career, to date.
芒鈧揑 just love the game,芒鈧� Cumo said. 芒鈧揋rowing up in Canada that芒鈧劉s what you always see, what you always talk about. It芒鈧劉s such a great game, and芒鈧� with us [broadcasting games] in Punjabi, it just opens up the borders that much more. The game芒鈧劉s that great, that it should be that open for all cultures and all languages.芒鈧�
Chauhan, 47, is not only an analyst, he co-hosts the weekly HNIC Punjabi podcast.
He also provides play-by-play and analysis for Canadian kabaddi tournament matches, hosts various Punjabi radio shows, and writes for numerous Punjabi newspapers around the world.
He said hockey continues to gain popularity amongst Indo-Canadians.
芒鈧揥e are in our seventh season and it芒鈧劉s growing year in and year out,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揝o it芒鈧劉s growing very fast.芒鈧�
While fans are found across the country, the most popular teams amongst Indo-Canadians are the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks, in Singh芒鈧劉s opinion.
芒鈧揓ust based on demographics and the population of the South Asian communities, there,芒鈧� he said.
Asked what teams they lean towards, the three weren芒鈧劉t biting. They remain neutral.
芒鈧揋rowing up we all did [have our favourite teams] but of course now we芒鈧劉re totally unbiased,芒鈧� Singh said. 芒鈧揟he Canadian teams are all who we芒鈧劉d like to see, be successful.芒鈧�
芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s fun calling all Canadian [teams芒鈧劉] games, especially with the success that the Canadian markets are having,芒鈧� Cumo added.
All three believe their job continues to be a learning process.
芒鈧揊or all of us, the terminology we芒鈧劉re using, how comfortable we are芒鈧� it芒鈧劉s been a lot of fun and I really see that all of us are gradually improving a lot,芒鈧� Singh said.
