Overview
- Öcal said on Wednesday that ESPN let him go after 10 years, adding that he plans to take time off before deciding his next move.
- He became a key NHL host at ESPN, leading The Drop digital pregame show launched in 2021 and anchoring In the Crease on ESPN+.
- He also appeared on Stanley Cup Playoff studio coverage with Steve Levy, Mark Messier, and P. K. Subban.
- Beyond hockey, his work spanned SportsCenter, SportsNation, and The Ocho, plus narration of the NHL Backstory podcast and a 2024 Fortnite “Football Island” project.
- The exit comes as ESPN parts with other personalities such as Clinton Yates and Xavier Scruggs, even as NHL viewership on ESPN rose about 23% in the regular season to a 14-year high and nearly 70% in the first playoff round year over year.