Canucks: New hire is a reporter from Kamloops who says 'dreams do come true'

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The only hint that Olivia McDonald offered up when she posted on social media on Aug. 20 that she was leaving her job with the Calgary Flames and their affiliated teams was that “let’s just say, dreams do come true.” 

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Her new gig became public Friday. McDonald, a Kamloops product and former intern with the Vancouver Canucks, was named the Canucks rinkside reporter.

She joins a Canucks content team that also features senior hockey writer Chris Faber and editorial writer Lindsey Horsting. According to a Canucks press release, McDonald will “provide exclusive behind-the-scenes content that will bring the fans closer to the action, connecting them with their favourite players and Canucks personalities.”

McDonald worked as a TV host and digital producer with the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers and National Lacrosse League’s Calgary Roughnecks, both teams that are under the Flames’ ownership umbrella. McDonald was also an in-bowl host for Flames’ games at the Calgary Saddledome. She had been with Calgary Sports and Entertainment since November 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile.

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She was a Canucks intern from August 2019 until March 2021. Before that, she worked as in-game host for the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings. McDonald was a reporter and anchor at CKPG News in Prince George for a time.

McDonald’s account on X offered up the dreams come true reference. On May 20, she also stated that she “posted 2 Instagram stories tonight and both times I hit post the Canucks scored … am I … the reason.”

On April 18, 2021, she posted: “I’ve never seen the Canucks happier after a win MY HEART.” And on Aug. 22, 2020 she posted: “It’s a good day to wake up a Canucks fan.” 

There are other similar selections. Her feed certainly suggests a long-standing connection with the club.

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Kate Pettersen had been the rinkside reporter with the Canucks last season and there’s been no word from the team or from Pettersen about why they parted ways.

The @CanucksReporter account on X created originally for her has been locked for some time, meaning that any new followers must by approved by the person controlling the account. Pettersen’s personal X account has Canucks photos in the banner but lists her merely as an NHL host  and rinkside reporter.

Pettersen had been travelling with the team on the road and filing several reports a day on social media until the second round of the playoffs, when she was assigned to a public watch party at a Vancouver park instead of following the squad to Edmonton.

The Canucks open training camp Sept. 19 in Penticton. They kick off the regular season on Oct. 9 against the Calgary Flames.

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