Tappen leaving NESN for NHL Network

[blackngold]

In what’s probably the worst-kept secret in Boston sports media, Kathryn Tappen is leaving NESN to join the NHL Network. She formally informed her bosses at NESN of her decision last week.

The anchor on Bruins pregame and postgame coverage since her arrival in 2006, Tappen will be difficult to replace, particularly given NESN’s struggles to find top-notch on-air talent the past few years.

Unfailingly referred to by colleagues as one of the nicest and hardest-working members of the Boston media, Tappen made herself into a trustworthy, knowledgeable hockey host. But it wasn’t a natural gig for her; she admitted during a fill-in hosting stint on WEEI’s “Dennis & Callahan’’ last week that she didn’t know much about hockey when she got the job at NESN.

No truth, by the way, to the rumors that it was the first time in the history of sports radio that a host admitted he or she didn’t know something.

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Former Channel 10 weekend sports anchor Kathryn Tappen, who has been NESN's hostess for Bruins pre- and postgame programs since 2006, is leaving for a job with the NHL Network, according to Boston.com's Chad Finn.

Tappen is married to Jay Leach, a former Providence College defenseman who now plays for the New Jersey Devils. She ran track and cross-country at Rutgers and was an Academic All-American.

Tappen and Leach met in 2005 during the NHL lockout, when Leach was playing for the Providence Bruins, and Tappen was working for Channel 10.

"We both had off on Mondays and were able to hang out a lot, and I soon realized that he has a great, light-hearted personality," Tappen told The New York Times.

They've been married since 2009.

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What's Rob Simpson up to nowadays?

[Fatt Patt]

She should take Nako (sp)? with her, I have a feeling Dale Arnold will be back.

[bruiser11]

Oh no! Tappen made the Bruins' pre-games+intermissions worth watching! That's a huge loss.

[srehm1]

I hate network suits who come in and act like they know hockey. Bye bye Tappen. Aside from being semi-good looking, you won't be missed. I agree, take naoko funayama with you.

She seemed very professional and nice, but knew nothing about hockey. Maybe they will smarten up and hire someone who actually knows the game or played it. Probably not.

[miller29]

Her looks are way overrated and her knowledge of the sport was next to nothing. It was kind of embarrassing watching her glaring at the teleprompter all the time and even more embarrassing when Kluzak and Pederson would be talking hockey and she would just sit there with a stupid look on her face. Good riddance and I agree, she should take the troll with her. She does the lamest interviews I have ever seen.

[bruiser11]

It would be nice to see good old Dale Arnold return in some capacity.

I really liked Dale as the announcer before. Funniest thing he used to say was when someone hit the post, he would be like "hit the pipe!"