The hockey playoffs at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have been a tense experience for Team Canada. In a thrilling quarterfinal match against Czechia on Wednesday, Canada emerged victorious in overtime. While many watched the game in English, it was also broadcast in Inuktitut, with Pujjuut Kusugak and David Ningeongan providing the play-by-play commentary, capturing the intense moments, including Mitch Marner’s overtime-winning goal.
Ningeongan, who handles the Inuktitut play-by-play, described the last few minutes of the game as highly stressful and emotional. Kusugak, the color commentator, expressed that it was the most exciting game they had ever been part of. Both Kusugak and Ningeongan, hailing from Rankin Inlet in Nunavut, expressed their pride in calling hockey at the Olympics in their native language.
The duo started their hockey commentary journey during the Beijing Winter Games in 2022, garnering a significant audience across Canada. The Inuktitut broadcasts of Canadian hockey games during the Beijing Olympics received over 110,000 video views on CBC’s digital platforms. The current viewership for Milano Cortina is even higher, with the medal matches still to come.
Kusugak and Ningeongan’s engaging commentary style has resonated with viewers, leading to the popularization of the hashtag “InuktitutHockey” on social media. Their charisma and community involvement have made the broadcasts a learning experience for viewers of different dialects. The duo’s efforts to expand the Inuktitut hockey lexicon, including seeking community input for terminology, have been instrumental in enriching the language.
Hockey holds a special place in Inuit communities, with both Kusugak and Ningeongan having deep roots in the sport as players and coaches. Their involvement in calling NHL games for Hockey Night in Canada in Inuktitut has further showcased the importance of language preservation. Ningeongan emphasized the significance of promoting the Inuktitut language to prevent its decline, especially among the youth.
Looking ahead, Kusugak and Ningeongan hope their work inspires others to embrace their native language in various settings, ultimately contributing to the preservation and promotion of Inuktitut. Their dedication to showcasing their language and passion for sports has made their broadcasting experience a dream come true.
