CBC Sports announced Tuesday that it has re-signed Gemini Award-winning announcer Jim Hughson to a six-year contract.

The new deal goes into effect immediately and runs through to the end of the 2013-14 NHL season.

Hockey Night in Canada commentator Jim Hughson signed a six-year contract extension with CBC Sports on Tuesday.

Hughson, from Fort St. John, B.C., will continue to work on two of CBC's major sports properties, Hockey Night in Canada and Blue Jays baseball, during the course of the agreement.

"Jim Hughson is a talent like no other and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with him," said Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports.

"With Jim and Bob Cole, CBC Sports now employs the top two play-by-play announcers in this country for our hockey broadcasts. Having Jim in our lineup exclusively for the next six seasons, on both our hockey and our baseball telecasts, is great news for our viewers and great news for CBC Sports."

'Honoured and excited'

Hughson, who joined Hockey Night in Canada at the start of the 2005-06 NHL season, said he was "honoured and excited" to continue his association with CBC.

"In the play-by-play world, Saturday night on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada is the best place to be, surrounded by the top professionals in the business. And baseball, at a time when the Jays look resurgent, is a great change of pace I'm happy to be a part of," said Hughson, a broadcast veteran of 29 years.

Hughson began his NHL broadcasting career in October 1979. One of the highlights of his storied career is calling Wayne Gretzky's final game in Canada in Ottawa in April 1999.

Hughson is a five-time Gemini Award winner, his most recent honour coming in 2004 when he was named the best sports play-by-play announcer.