Nashville Predators Check-Ins: Former Defenseman Hal Gill

With no games to watch, Nashville Predators fans are looking for any sports-related content to satisfy their cravings, including catching up with alumni!

Many look to social media to fill that hole that’s missing in their current sports lives. We’re checking in on some of our favorite Nashville Predators personalities and former players.

One of my favorite “follows” on social media is Stanley Cup champion Harold Priestly Gill, III, aka Hal Gill.

While the former defenseman spent only two of his 16 NHL seasons in Nashville, you would never know it. Gill is definitely a fan-favorite that is loved by many in the area.

The 45-year-old from Concord, Massachusetts was drafted 207th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Over Hal’s entire NHL career he played in 1,108 games, netted 36 goals and racked up 148 assists.

Gill’s biggest hockey achievement happened on June 12th, 2009 when the team that he was playing for at the time, the Pittsburgh Penguins, were crowned the Stanley Cup champions.

While we can’t forgive him for being a Penguin, we are still proud of his accomplishment.

What’s Hal Gill up to these days?

In 2015 Gill hung up his skates and announced his retirement from the NHL. In 2017, Gill became a radio analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Pete Weber.

Gill brings his years of experience to the radio commentary and works well with Weber in the broadcast booth. He certainly had an incredibly long and commendable NHL career. Just the type of game experience you want in your broadcast booth.

Gill also spends some time on Nashville Predators’ TV broadcasts. He usually joins Chris Mason and Willy Daunic during the second intermission. On television broadcasts, Gill signs off with his catchphrase “20 Miles, 20 Smiles”.

Why is Gill a great social media “Follow”?

Hal Gill, like his friend and counterpart Chris Mason, has no problem getting others to laugh at his expense. Check out this Tweet where Gill shares his margarita recipe when he hosts “Happy Hour”.

Another favorite Tweet of mine is when Hal transformed into “Mr. Gill” to help his kids with their homework during the Covid-19 pandemic.

There is also this poor example of social distancing. Check out this Tweet from Chris Mason.

Hockey fans in the Nashville market have to feel pretty fortunate to have a nice blend of knowledgeable veterans with humorous sides to them as well. Gill is one of those, and you can learn a lot about the sport when he’s commentating games.

But More Importantly…

Gill does an excellent job of interacting with fans. He does an even better job of staying connected to the community.

Gill volunteered his time by helping with clean-up projects in the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes that swept through Nashville on March 2nd and 3rd.

Family man, NHL star, live game broadcaster…is there anything that Hal Gill doesn’t do? If you’re looking for a great social media “follow” check out @Skillsy75.

In these trying times, it is good to know that we can get some relief with lighthearted entertainment by our favorite Nashville Predators personalities. Gill does a great job of helping fans take their minds off of things even just for a moment.

You can check out Gill primarily on the Predators radio affiliate 102.5 The Game in Nashville, and he regularly makes guest appearances on the television broadcast on Fox Sports Tennessee.