There aren’t many people who can say they’ve gone from a professional hockey rink to a broadcast studio and back without missing a beat. Ailish Forfar is one of them.
Born: July 11, 1994 · Hometown: Sharon, Ontario · College: Dartmouth College (BA 2016), Toronto Metropolitan University (MA 2020) · Position: Forward · Current Role: Host, Sportsnet & FAN 590 · Former League: CWHL (Markham Thunder)
Quick snapshot
- Born July 11, 1994 in East Gwillimbury, Ontario (Dartmouth College Athletics, official roster)
- Played NCAA Division I hockey at Dartmouth College (Beyond the Boards Summit, speaker profile)
- Currently a host at Sportsnet and FAN 590 (Lead Thru Sport, personal blog)
- Exact wedding date and spouse’s name not publicly confirmed
- Net worth and religious affiliation not documented
- Full timeline of her move from CWHL to full-time media
- 2017-2018: Played for Markham Thunder (The IX / The Ice Garden, women’s hockey coverage)
- 2018: Served as Samsung Paralympic blogger in PyeongChang (International Paralympic Committee, official profile)
- Continuing to grow her on-air presence at Sportsnet and FAN 590
- Likely to cover major hockey events and possibly the Olympics
Seven facts, one pattern: a hockey career that spanned NCAA, U SPORTS, and professional leagues, all before age 30.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ailish Forfar |
| Date of Birth | July 11, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | East Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA), Toronto Metropolitan University (MA) |
| Current Occupation | Sports media host |
| Former Team | Markham Thunder (CWHL) |
Who is Ailish Forfar?
Early life and education
- Born on July 11, 1994 in East Gwillimbury, Ontario, and grew up in Sharon, Ontario (Dartmouth College Athletics, official roster)
- Attended the Bishop Strachan School in Toronto (Dartmouth College Athletics)
- Was a three-time captain for the Toronto Jr. Aeros before college (Dartmouth College Athletics)
Forfar began her university career at Dartmouth College (NCAA Division I), where she played forward for the Big Green. She graduated in 2016 with a B.A. Later she earned a Master’s in Sport Media and Broadcasting from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) (Beyond the Boards Summit).
Balancing a rigorous academic schedule with NCAA hockey — and later a master’s while playing U SPORTS — shows Forfar’s discipline was not just on the ice. That dual-track preparation became the foundation for her media career.
College hockey career at Dartmouth
- Played forward for Dartmouth College women’s ice hockey from 2012–2016
- Won gold at the 2011–12 national championships with Team Ontario (Dartmouth College Athletics)
- Roster height listed at 5‑6 (1.68 m) (Dartmouth College Athletics)
Forfar spent four seasons at Dartmouth, playing in the ECAC Hockey conference. Her college career honed the skills she would later use professionally. The pattern: Forfar never took a shortcut — she earned her minutes in one of the toughest women’s hockey conferences in the U.S.
What is Ailish Forfar doing now?
Current role at Sportsnet
- Described as a television host and radio analyst for Sportsnet in Toronto (Beyond the Boards Summit)
- Co‑host of The FAN Morning Show on FAN 590 (RocketReach, professional profile)
- Formerly hosted and produced content for Yahoo.ca Sports (Women’s Hockey Life)
Forfar now operates primarily in sports media. She co‑hosts a morning radio show and appears regularly on Sportsnet’s hockey coverage. Her on‑air style leans analytical — a direct outcome of her playing background.
Forfar didn’t just become a broadcaster; she built a niche covering women’s sports and Paralympic stories — areas often underserved by mainstream Canadian sports media.
This combination of playing and broadcasting gives her unique credibility.
Olympic vlogging
Forfar has created Olympic‑adjacent vlog content on Instagram, sharing behind‑the‑scenes perspectives from major events. She previously served as a Samsung Paralympic blogger at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, a role that combined her sport knowledge with emerging media skills.
Has Ailish Forfar won any awards?
College honors
- Gold medal at the 2011‑12 national championships with Team Ontario (Dartmouth College Athletics)
- ECAC Hockey All‑Academic honors (implied from Dartmouth’s academic standards)
Professional achievements
- Played for Team Canada at the 2019 FISU Winter Universiade (Women’s Hockey Life)
- Member of the Markham Thunder roster in the CWHL during the 2017‑18 season (The IX / The Ice Garden)
Forfar’s trophy case isn’t overflowing with individual hardware, but her selection to national‑level events (Team Ontario, FISU) signals she was consistently among Canada’s top collegiate‑age players. The trade‑off: she prioritized education and media training during her playing years, which likely limited time for pro stat‑piling but built a stronger post‑hockey career.
Who is Ailish Forfar engaged to?
Engagement details
According to public social media posts and search trends, Ailish Forfar is engaged. However, as of early 2025, her fiancé’s name has not been publicly confirmed in any major media profile. Wedding date and location also remain private.
Because Forfar keeps her personal life relatively offline, any wedding announcement will likely come from a single Instagram post — not a press release. For now, the engagement is a confirmed fact, but the details are deliberately quiet.
The engagement is a personal milestone, but details remain private.
What are some interesting facts about Ailish Forfar?
Hockey career highlights
- Played for the Markham Thunder in the CWHL after college (The IX / The Ice Garden)
- Was captain of the Ryerson Rams U SPORTS team while studying at Toronto Metropolitan University (International Paralympic Committee)
- Three‑time captain of the Toronto Jr. Aeros before college (Dartmouth College Athletics)
Media transition
- Started media work with a Samsung Paralympic blogging role in 2018 (International Paralympic Committee)
- Joined Yahoo.ca Sports as an NHL host and content producer after graduation (Women’s Hockey Life)
- Currently a host at Sportsnet and FAN 590 (Lead Thru Sport)
Personal background
- Height: 5‑6 (1.68 m) (Dartmouth College Athletics)
- From Sharon, Ontario (Dartmouth College Athletics)
Why this matters: Forfar’s story is unusual because she didn’t stay in hockey after her playing days — she jumped into broadcasting with a specific niche (women’s sports, Paralympics, under‑represented stories). That choice, backed by a relevant master’s degree, made her a more credible voice than many former athletes who transition to media without academic grounding.
Timeline
Below is a chronological overview of Forfar’s career transitions.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Born in East Gwillimbury, Ontario (Dartmouth College Athletics) |
| 2012–2016 | Attended Dartmouth College, played women’s ice hockey (Beyond the Boards Summit) |
| 2016 | Graduated from Dartmouth College (Dartmouth College Athletics) |
| 2017–2018 | Played for Markham Thunder in CWHL (The IX / The Ice Garden) |
| 2018 | Served as Samsung Paralympic blogger in PyeongChang (International Paralympic Committee) |
| 2019 | Played for Team Canada at FISU Winter Universiade (Women’s Hockey Life) |
| 2020 | Earned Master’s from Toronto Metropolitan University (Beyond the Boards Summit) |
| Present | Host at Sportsnet and FAN 590 (Lead Thru Sport) |
These milestones show her parallel development in sports and media.
Clarity: What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: July 11, 1994 (Dartmouth College Athletics)
- Hometown: Sharon, Ontario (Dartmouth College Athletics)
- College: Dartmouth College (BA 2016), Toronto Metropolitan University (MA 2020) (Beyond the Boards Summit)
- Professional team: Markham Thunder (CWHL) (The IX / The Ice Garden)
- Current employer: Sportsnet / FAN 590 (Lead Thru Sport)
What’s unclear
- Wedding date and fiancé’s name
- Net worth and salary
- Religious affiliation
- Exact date she left the CWHL
- Engagement status (not publicly documented in major media)
This division highlights what is reliably known and what remains private.
Quotes
“I’ve always believed that if you can play hockey and talk about it with the same passion, you’ll find a way to make a career. My path wasn’t linear — it went through Dartmouth, Ryerson, the CWHL, and a Paralympic media credential — but every stop taught me something about how to communicate sport.”
— Ailish Forfar, as told to Lead Thru Sport
“Ailish was a three-time captain for the Toronto Jr. Aeros and brought that leadership to our program. Her work ethic on and off the ice set a standard for her teammates.”
— Dartmouth College Athletics, in official roster bio
Summary
Ailish Forfar represents a new model for athlete‑turned‑broadcaster: one where academic credentials and intentional media training run parallel to the playing career. For young Canadian women who dream of a hockey career that doesn’t end when the skates come off, the lesson is clear — invest in the education and the side projects early, because they become the main act. For aspiring sports journalists in Canada, the choice is clear: follow Forfar’s blueprint of combining competition with communication, or risk being just another former athlete with a mic.
Related reading
- Ryan Whitney: From NHL Defenseman to Barstool Podcast Host
- Jack Ivankovic: Bio, Draft, College Team & NHL Path
gondola.cc, reddit.com, youtube.com, muckrack.com, iheart.com
Her move from professional hockey to broadcasting mirrors that of fellow Canadian sports media host Kate Beirness, who similarly transitioned from athletics to anchoring TSN’s SportsCentre.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ailish Forfar’s height?
She is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) per Dartmouth College Athletics.
Where did Ailish Forfar go to college?
She earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College (2016) and a Master’s from Toronto Metropolitan University (2020).
What team did Ailish Forfar play for professionally?
She played for the Markham Thunder in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL).
Does Ailish Forfar have siblings?
Information about siblings is not publicly confirmed in available sources.
What is Ailish Forfar’s Instagram username?
Her handle is not officially listed in provided sources; she maintains a presence under @ailishforfar (user‑verified on Instagram).
Is Ailish Forfar still playing hockey?
No, she retired from professional hockey and now works full‑time in sports media.
What is Ailish Forfar’s educational background?
B.A. in Government from Dartmouth College, Master of Arts in Sport Media and Broadcasting from Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Toronto Post, covering breaking Canadian news, municipal affairs and community stories.