There’s something about the way Hazel Mae tells a story—whether it’s a walk-off win or a personal struggle—that makes you lean in. The Filipino-Canadian sportscaster has spent decades on Canadian television, first with Sportsnet’s Blue Jays coverage and later crossing into U.S. baseball markets. Now, with a forthcoming memoir and a recent public reflection on resilience, Mae is showing fans a side they rarely saw behind the microphone.

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Date of Birth: April 7, 1970 ·
Place of Birth: Tagbilaran, Philippines ·
Profession: Sportscaster ·
Nationality: Filipino-Canadian

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of health condition (CBC Books)
  • Salary figure (CBC Books)
  • Existence of a first husband (CBC Books)
3Timeline signal
  • 2026 memoir Before I Let You Go (CBC Books)
  • April 2026 CBC profile aired (CBC Radio)
4What’s next
  • Book tour and media appearances fall 2026
  • Continued Blue Jays coverage on Sportsnet

Eight biographical details, one pattern: Mae’s life crosses oceans, broadcast booths, and now the pages of a memoir. The table below pulls together the core identifiers.

Label Value
Full Name Hazel Mae Barker (née Cagulada)
Date of Birth April 7, 1970
Place of Birth Tagbilaran, Philippines
Nationality Filipino-Canadian
Profession Sportscaster
Spouse Brian Burke
Children 2
Known For Toronto Blue Jays reporter

What illness does Hazel Mae have?

In her upcoming memoir Before I Let You Go, Mae reportedly opens up about a personal health struggle. The exact medical condition has not been publicly specified, though the book is framed around resilience and healing (CBC Books).

  • CBC Radio coverage contextualizes the memoir within a broader discussion of mental health in sports.
  • A 2023 Sportsnet interview saw Mae discussing mental health with Blue Jays player Spencer Horwitz (Sportsnet).
Why this matters

Mae’s choice to share a private health challenge in a memoir aimed at a Canadian audience signals a shift: high-profile sports figures are increasingly using their platforms for health advocacy—and her readership will likely extend beyond baseball fans.

The disclosure positions Mae as a credible voice in mental-health conversations within sports.

How many children does Hazel Mae have?

Hazel Mae has two children with her husband Brian Burke, in addition to a stepchild from Burke’s previous marriage (Wikipedia biography).

  • She has not publicly named her children, maintaining privacy around their ages and lives.
  • The stepchild is from Burke’s first marriage; Mae has described her blended family warmly in interviews.

The implication: while Mae’s professional life is highly visible, she keeps her family intentionally protected—a choice many public figures make when children are involved.

When did Hazel Mae marry?

Hazel Mae married Brian Burke in 2012 in a private ceremony (Wikipedia biography).

  • Burke, a prominent NHL executive, was previously married and has three sons.
  • The couple has been together for over a decade, often seen at hockey events and Blue Jays games.

The pattern: Mae’s relationship with Burke placed her squarely at the intersection of Canadian baseball and hockey cultures—giving her a rare dual footing in both sports.

Who is Hazel Mae’s partner?

Hazel Mae’s partner is Brian Burke, a former NHL general manager and current hockey media analyst (The Globe and Mail 2026 profile).

  • Burke served as GM of the Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames.
  • He now appears regularly on Sportsnet and TSN as a hockey analyst.
The trade-off

Being married to a high-profile hockey executive gives Mae insider access to another sport, but it also means public scrutiny of their family life. So far, she has balanced both with careful privacy.

Mae has managed to keep her family life private while maintaining a high-profile career.

What does Hazel Mae’s husband do?

Brian Burke is a hockey executive and media personality. He has held general manager roles for multiple NHL teams and currently contributes to hockey broadcasts (Wikipedia biography).

  • His career includes a Stanley Cup win with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
  • He is known for his outspoken style and advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion in hockey.

Why this matters: Burke’s career and public persona mean that Mae is often mentioned alongside him in sports media. But her own professional identity—built over 20+ years in baseball broadcasting—stands independently.

Timeline

  • 1970 – Born in Tagbilaran, Philippines (Wikipedia biography)
  • 1990s – Begins broadcasting career in the Philippines (Athlete Speakers)
  • Early 2000s – Moves to Canada, works for Sportsnet (CBC Radio)
  • 2012 – Marries Brian Burke (Wikipedia)
  • 2026 – Publishes memoir Before I Let You Go (CBC Books)
  • April 2026 – CBC Sunday profile airs (CBC Radio)

These milestones trace her journey from the Philippines to Canadian sports broadcasting.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and place (April 7, 1970, Tagbilaran) – Wikipedia biography
  • Profession as sportscaster (Sportsnet, Blue Jays) – CBC Books
  • Marriage to Brian Burke (2012) – Wikipedia biography
  • Memoir publication in fall 2026 – CBC Books

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of her health condition
  • Salary figure
  • Existence of a first husband
  • Names of children
  • Ages of children

The lack of clarity on some personal details reflects Mae’s careful privacy management. You can read more about her biography at Jerome Anthony biografia.

Quotes

“Everyone was supporting me.”

– Spencer Horwitz, Blue Jays infielder, to Hazel Mae in a 2023 Sportsnet interview about mental health

“I broke into the U.S. media scene covering the Boston Red Sox before returning to Toronto to cover the Blue Jays.”

– Hazel Mae, as reported by CBC Radio

Mae’s path from the Philippines to Canadian sports broadcasting is a story of persistence and reinvention. For aspiring broadcasters in Canada—especially those from immigrant backgrounds—her career offers a concrete template: start local, build a reputation, and don’t shy away from personal storytelling. The choice to publish a memoir about resilience and health challenges may redefine her legacy beyond sports.

Additional sources

me-pedia.org, prospeakers.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, cbc.ca, reddit.com, facebook.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Hazel Mae Filipino?

Yes, she was born in Tagbilaran, Philippines and is a Filipino-Canadian.

What network does Hazel Mae work for?

She works for Sportsnet, covering the Toronto Blue Jays as an on-field reporter.

Does Hazel Mae have a podcast?

As of early 2026, she does not host a regular podcast, but appears as a guest on sports and culture shows.

Where does Hazel Mae live?

She resides in Toronto with her family.

What awards has Hazel Mae won?

She has received multiple Gemini Award nominations for her sports broadcasting work.

How long has Hazel Mae been a sportscaster?

She began her broadcasting career in the 1990s in the Philippines and has been active in Canada since the early 2000s.

Is Hazel Mae active on social media?

Yes, she maintains accounts on Twitter and Instagram, where she shares behind-the-scenes content and personal updates.

Bottom line: Hazel Mae is a veteran sportscaster who has built a career at the intersection of baseball and personal storytelling. For readers interested in Canadian sports media: her memoir provides a rare inside look at resilience. For Blue Jays fans: expect her to continue as the team’s trusted reporter. For those following mental health in sports: her disclosure adds a significant voice.

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