“Oh My! Oh My!” Longtime TSN curling broadcaster Vic Rauter to retire

Brad Gushue still gets chills every time he watches the clip — with TSN’s Vic Rauter on the call — of his famous shot to win his first Canadian men’s curling championship in 2017.

“He really did a very good job of explaining the moment, explaining what was going on in the building. And he built it up even before I stepped in the hack,” Gushue said. “Like it was just such a professional job. Not everybody can step in there and do what Vic did.

“Sometimes when you’re just talking on TV, people think it’s easy. But it only looks easy because he’s so good.”

Rauter, the voice of the network’s curling coverage for more than 40 years, will retire after calling this week’s world men’s curling championship in Ogden, Utah.

TSN announced Rauter’s plans Thursday in a release that paid tribute to the popular broadcaster, who’s known for his famous “Make the final …” call. Rauter, who will turn 72 in May, said it’s “the right time to step away” after 53 years on the air.

“Feeling a little like my favourite TSN hat,” he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “Little worn out…fraying at the edges…but still does the job. However..it’s time. Thank you.”

The Toronto native joined TSN in 1985, a year after the network launched. His contributions went beyond curling, and included coverage of MLS, NHL, MLB, football, auto racing, figure skating, bowling, squash, cricket and equestrian.

He worked nine Olympic Games and six FIFA World Cups over his career.

“Vic is an icon of sports broadcasting in Canada, and his exceptional work is a valuable example to any aspiring broadcaster who dreams of spending their career behind the mic,” said Shawn Redmond, vice-president and general manager of Bell Media Sports.

“On behalf of everyone at TSN, we thank Vic for his incredible contributions to the network, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

The network posted a Top 10 list of “Vic Rauter Moments” on Thursday, which included everything from a sheep shearing competition, to his participation in vignettes, to Gushue’s Brier-winning throw in St. John’s.

Gushue, who retired last month, said he’ll show the clip with Rauter’s call at public speaking events.

On that night in St. John’s, the tension was thick as the packed house watched their hometown hero try to win his first Brier. Rauter nailed the call in his inimitable fashion.

“It’s a big drag now, it’s getting frosty!” Rauter said as Gushue’s teammates furiously swept the rock’s path while the crowd held its collective breath. “Full eight (foot) is what you need. Full eight is what you need to become the Canadian curling champions!”

The timing was impeccable.

“I think his call just built it up even more,” Gushue said from Sudbury, Ont. “Obviously it was a huge moment, a huge shot, a huge buildup as the rock went down the ice. But as a viewer watching it on TV, it was even greater I think because of the way Vic used his voice and really brought that across.

“And when I hear that each time I play the video in my speeches, I get chills just from the energy that he brings.”

Rauter began his broadcasting career in February 1973 at CFTR Radio as a news and sports reporter, before joining Toronto’s Global Television Network and then CBC.

“When you’re a 19-year-old walking into a job at a radio station right out of college, you just can’t fathom this moment,” Rauter said in a statement. “But after an amazing 53 years on the air, and as this curling quadrennial comes to a close, I’ve made the decision that this is the right time to step away.”


Broadcast partner Russ Howard, a legendary player who has served as a curling analyst since 2009, said he has always been wowed by Rauter’s preparation.

“Nobody realizes what this guy does,” Howard said from Toronto. “It’s insane the amount of information he has on everybody, everything, every place, every ice surface, every you name it.

“I would say one-10th of that stuff comes out in the show because he’s professional. He knows when to put something in and when not to.”

Rauter has called every edition of the Canadian men’s and women’s curling championship since 1986, except for 2006 when CBC had the rights.

“His legacy is going to be long lasting,” Sportsnet and CBC curling broadcaster Mike Harris said from Ogden, Utah. “Whoever is going to take over for him will have some very big shoes to fill.”

TSN has yet to announce its broadcast team lineup for next season.

Besides Rauter’s familiar game-ending catchphrase, he often worked in other signature lines to his curling broadcasts.

“Count ‘Em Up!” was a frequent refrain in high-scoring ends and “Oh My! Oh My!” was reserved for spectacular shots.

“He’s got the golden voice, the inflection and the other part that nobody gets is his timing,” Howard said. “He’s got the pauses. He knows when to slow it down.

“He doesn’t rush anything and it’s just genuine excitement when that rock makes contact … he’s just one of a kind.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press