Leah Hextall of ESPN became the first female play-by-play commentator for nationally broadcast NHL games during the 2021–22 season.
Unfortunately, Hextall's first year in this position was marked by abuse and criticism.
Hextall highlighted how much hostility she faced over the season in a conversation with Sean Fitz-Gerald of The Athletic.
She alleges that extremely critical remarks were frequent on her social media profiles.
Hockey fans know that no one should have to deal with harassment of this nature, regardless of how they feel about Hextall as a broadcaster.
Hextall said to her mother when the season ended, "I survived." She quickly understood that no one should ever feel that way about finishing a job.