Photo courtesy of Harnarayan Singh / Twitter

By Scott Roblin

From Brooks to HNIC

Brooks’ Harnarayan Singh reflects on path to Hockey Night in Canada stage

Nov 9, 2020 | 5:39 PM

BROOKS, AB – It wasn’t hard for Harnarayan Singh to stand out growing up in Brooks.

Coming from a family of first-generation immigrants from India, Singh was often the only visible minority among his classmates and certainly was the only one wearing a turban.

But, when things would get tough Singh would lean on his hockey cards, stats, and love of Canada’s national winter sport to help him connect with his classmates.

“It’s something quite special that we have here in Canada in comparison to other countries where it really does bring us together,” said Singh.

The Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster has enjoyed a whirlwind few months following the release of his new book One Game at a Time: My Journey from Small-Town Alberta to Hockey’s Biggest Stage.

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Singh’s memoir has become a national best seller, exploring his path from discovering the game through the famed ‘Battle of Alberta’ matchups in the 1980s to eventually anchoring Hockey Night in Canada’s Punjabi broadcasts.

“It’s been pretty tremendous to be able to see the book go out there and have it in our own hands in terms of my family and the community,” said Singh. “But, also the impact in terms of providing a unique perspective of growing up in Brooks as a visible minority and how hockey filled in those gaps.”

It wasn’t always easy for Singh being part of the only Sikh family in the community, as he found himself the target of bullying and racism from his peers.

During the early stages of the book Singh and his writing partner Michael Kingston took a drive through Brooks, visiting locations like his old home and schools.

It was a drive that brought back many fond memories, but also re-ignited some of those memories of intolerance.

“For the most part it was a positive experience,” said Singh. “The roller-coaster of emotions comes in when you have to acknowledge some of the more traumatic moments as well… so I think going through the good and the bad of it all was important for me.”

Despite years of being told that his appearance wouldn’t likely lead to a real microphone, Singh received his first break in the broadcasting industry at his hometown station Q13 Radio.

A chance at pursuing his dreams that still humbles the national broadcaster.

“Had it not been for that opportunity, I wouldn’t have given myself a shot at this industry,” he said. “Being able to be on the local Brooks radio station gave me that glimmer of hope that if these guys are willing to give me a chance in this small town where there isn’t as much diversity, then maybe somebody will give me a chance down the road.”

Singh was eventually able to climb up the broadcasting ladder straight to Toronto, starting to call Hockey Night in Canada games in Punjabi beginning in 2008.

That has also opened up doors to breaking barriers on the English flagship broadcasts in recent years, becoming one of only a few Sikh broadcasters on mainstream Canadian sports television.

A little internet virality didn’t seem to hurt either as his call of Nick Bonino’s overtime goal in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final garnered thousands of shares and retweets, and helped expose Singh to a wider audience in Canada and the United States.

Singh has also helped to pave the way for other visible minorities in southeast Alberta to achieve success in the sporting world.

Receiver Ajou Ajou shares a very similar story to Singh, as he too grew up in Brooks to immigrant parents and is now one of the most talked about young Canadian football players plying his trade with the powerhouse Clemson Tigers program.

“When you’re anywhere in the world and you’re able to find that connection with your hometown, it makes it really special,” said Singh. “Obviously, making it to the NCAA is a tremendous achievement. When you persevere through obstacles and challenges and you’re a person that’s a visible minority, it is a unique experience. So, I’m very pleased to see the success that he’s having.”

Singh is still able to travel back to his hometown every year as he’s involved with a scholarship named after his father, who was a teacher, at his own alma mater of Brooks Composite High School.

But, the most rewarding piece of the experience so far for Singh has been the connection that others from coast to coast have made with his journey.

“Sometimes it seems like the dream or the goal that you have is insurmountable,” said Singh. “But, my story really proves that in Canada – especially more than anywhere in the world – no matter who you are, how you look, what your background is, what language you speak, your hopes and dreams and goals are achievable.”