Ailish Forfar: Biography, Career, and Life as a Sportsnet Host

When Ailish Forfar traded her hockey skates for a microphone, she didn’t just change careers—she started a second act that would put her behind some of Canada’s biggest sports broadcasts. Graduating from Dartmouth College in 2016 (International Paralympic Committee), she played professional hockey before stepping into the host chair at Sportsnet.

College: Dartmouth College (2016) ·
Height: 5-6 ·
Hometown: Sharon, Ontario ·
Current Role: Host, Sportsnet & FAN 590

Eight facts about Ailish Forfar, grouped by category.

Who is Ailish Forfar?

Ailish Forfar is a former NCAA hockey forward and current sports media personality. She played four seasons at Dartmouth College (2012–2016), where she appeared in 28 games as a senior and recorded 12 points (Dartmouth College Athletics). Her junior season saw 16 points in 30 games. She also played junior hockey for the Toronto Jr. Aeros, serving as a three-time captain while the team won two PWHL gold medals and one silver (Dartmouth College Athletics). After college, she played professional hockey — though the specific team is not confirmed in available Tier 1 or Tier 2 sources — and later earned a master’s degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (attested in her professional bio, but not independently verified).

The implication: Forfar’s playing career, though not widely covered at the national level, gave her the credibility to enter sports media with firsthand knowledge of the game.

What is Ailish Forfar doing now?

Forfar currently works as a host for Sportsnet and as a Maple Leafs radio personality on FAN 590 in Toronto, according to her speaker profile at Beyond the Boards Summit and her X profile (social media). She made the transition from playing to media after her professional hockey career, reportedly working with TSN, Yahoo Sports, theScore, and the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, as detailed in a Lead Thru Sport profile (athlete storytelling platform).

• Hosts Sportsnet programming (regular role since 2020)
• Appears on FAN 590 as a Maple Leafs radio analyst
• Previously contributed to the Paralympic Games and IIHF events

The pattern: She built her media career through multiple outlets rather than a single employer, which is typical for Canadian sports personalities entering the Toronto market.

Who is Ailish Forfar engaged to?

Questions about Forfar’s engagement appear in online searches, but no Tier 1 or Tier 2 source confirms the identity of a partner. Public profiles — including Dartmouth athletics, the IPC, and LinkedIn (not independently verified) — do not mention marital status. According to a Lead Thru Sport profile, she keeps personal life private, and available records do not include an engagement announcement.

The catch: Without a named source, the engagement claim sits in the “unclear” category — something searchers want to know but cannot be reported as fact.

What are some interesting facts about Ailish Forfar?

• She was the first freshman on Dartmouth’s women’s hockey team to earn ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week honors in 2013 (Dartmouth College Athletics news release).
• Her first career goal was a game-winner against Providence (Dartmouth College Athletics).
• She won a gold medal at the 2011–12 national championships with Team Ontario (Dartmouth roster).
• She attended Bishop Strachan School in Toronto before college (per the same roster).
• Her X profile lists her as a “Sportsnet host + Maple Leafs Radio on FAN590” (X profile).

Ailish Forfar personal life and background

Born in East Gwillimbury, Ontario (source not independently verified), Forfar grew up in Sharon, Ontario, as listed on the Dartmouth roster. Her date of birth is not officially recorded in available Tier 1 sources; the commonly cited July 11, 1994, appears only in secondary databases. Ethnicity and religion are not specified in any authoritative material. Her family background includes a sports-loving environment, as noted in a Lead Thru Sport interview.

What this means: The lack of personal details in official sources is typical for athletes who did not reach Olympic or national team visibility. Forfar’s private sphere remains largely off-record, which is a conscious choice.

“I think there’s something special about being able to tell stories from the other side of the game.” — Ailish Forfar in a Lead Thru Sport interview

Editor’s note: This quote reflects Forfar’s mindset as she moved from player to broadcaster. The interview also notes her diverse media experience across TSN, Sportsnet, and the Maple Leafs.

Forfar’s story is one of transition — from a competitive hockey career that peaked in junior and college hockey to a broadcasting role in Canada’s most saturated media market. The available record shows a disciplined athlete who leveraged her Dartmouth education and networked into sports media without the typical path of Olympic or NHL fame. For the reader looking to understand her background, the confirmed facts are solid, but the personal and financial details remain largely off the record. For young female athletes eyeing media careers, Forfar’s trajectory offers a blueprint: play, study, then speak.

For a detailed look at her career, including her transition from hockey to broadcasting, a detailed look at her career provides a comprehensive overview of her professional journey.

Frequently asked questions