Botchford Project Reunion – The Impact

Photo Credit J. Lalli

One of the main reasons that I set up Sportswave was for upcoming and aspiring individuals who are wishing to excel in the broadcast industry is to grasp amateur sports telling the stories of today’s amateur athlete’s.

Some get involved for various reasons while others have a true passion to get into their chosen field for the betterment of sport.

The future of the world “like it or not” is today’s youth who have stories yet to be told while the older and seasoned veteran broadcasters have much to share.

One project started a few years back came to fruition following his passing April 25th, 2019 of Jason Botchford now called and carried on called the Botchford Project.

The past season I have had Jagraj Lalli work alongside us at Sportswave covering various events enabling him to cover additional events and he was one of many that was involved in this project.

Advice to aspiring journalists – “it’s not about you, but rather about the game” you are covering – remembering that “Arrogance” can and will be your worst downfall!!

Enjoy the read:

In the spring of 2019, the hockey world was shaken by the untimely passing of Jason Botchford, a vibrant voice in sports journalism. 

With his unparalleled dedication and infectious passion, Botchford left an indelible mark on the industry, particularly in his coverage of the Vancouver Canucks. 

Yet, beyond his journalistic prowess, Botchford was a staunch advocate for localized sports coverage and a mentor to countless aspiring journalists. 

His influence is everlasting in “The Botchford Project” a program launched in the 2019-20 season to provide budding journalists with hands-on experience in sports reporting. 

Now in its fifth year, the project stands as a testament to Botchford’s commitment to nurturing young talent and elevating the standard of sports journalism. 

Participants are given the unique opportunity to cover a Vancouver Canucks game and have their articles showcased on NHL.com, reaching tens of thousands of readers. 

Recently, alumni and current participants of The Botchford Project convened at a Vancouver Warriors game for an evening of celebration and reflection. 

Among them was my broadcast partner Ian Wilson, a participant who shared his gratitude for the experience, stating, 

“Telling stories is something I will cherish for the rest of my life, I learned so much from creating this article.”

Kathryn Botchford, Jason’s widow and Project Coordinator, echoed Wilson’s sentiment, expressing her heartfelt appreciation for the project’s success. 

“Seeing all of the success that’s come from this project and seeing everyone here tonight, it truly means the world to me,” she said.

Personal testimonials within The Botchford Project serve as poignant reminders of its impact. As one of the fortunate individuals selected to participate in November 2022, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of the program. 

Stepping into Rogers Arena as a member of the media, rather than a mere spectator, was a momentous occasion—one that forever altered my perspective on sports journalism.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my participation was the opportunity to dive into the dynamic between Elias Pettersson and Andrei Kuzmenko during their 1st season together, and getting to talk to Pettersson himself. 

Similarly, my colleague Ian Wilson explored the remarkable resurgence of Brock Boeser as one of the league’s top goal scorers.

As I reflect on his enduring legacy, I will forever be grateful to The Athletic, Jeff Paterson, Thomas Drance, Ryan Biech, and Kathryn Botchford for their unwavering dedication to The Botchford Project. 

Their commitment continues to ensure that his passion for sports journalism will forever inspire and shape the future of Vancouver sports coverage for generations to come.