NESN’s Sophia Jurksztowicz announces return from leave of absence
"I’m in the offices for now but will start doing some podcasts next week and back on air very soon.”
Sophia Jurksztowicz, who has been on a leave of absence from NESN’s Bruins broadcasts this season for undisclosed personal reasons, announced Wednesday night she has returned to work and will be back on the air soon.
“I know it’s late in the regular season but this is just how the timing worked out for me and how the cards landed,’’ she wrote on her Instagram page. “I can finally say that I’m officially back to work and even though it’s March, I couldn’t be happier to start again. I’m in the offices for now but will start doing some podcasts next week and back on air very soon.”
Jurksztowicz did not explain the reason for her leave or say which day she would return as NESN’s Bruins studio host, but offered thanks to the team, NESN, and fans for their support.
“All I can say again is THANK YOU for every single note, comment and in person hug I’ve gotten from the best fans ever,’’ she wrote. “The Jacobs family, the Bruins and NESN have been SO freaking supportive throughout the last few months; I’m so grateful. To my best friends, my family and my teammates, you rule. Time to make some blooper reels.”
On Oct. 1, Jurksztowicz announced she was taking a temporary leave of absence from her NESN role, a week before the Bruins’ season opener, for personal reasons.
Addressing “my favorite nation [Bruins nation]” on her Instagram account, Jurksztowicz wrote at the time, “This summer I signed a contract extension with NESN and I couldn’t be happier to continue my journey as your Bruins host,” she wrote.
“But due to personal reasons, I’m going to have to delay my season start with NESN and the team. I don’t want anyone to worry, I WILL be okay, but right now I just need to take time away from work.
“I’ve received nothing but support from NESN with my circumstances and I seriously could not be more grateful to be working at NESN or more thankful for all the love from my teammates.”
NESN has kept the specifics of her situation private. On Jan. 2, she offered a bit of an update on Instagram, writing that 2024 has been one of her most challenging years “physically, emotionally, and mentally.”
She added, “Watching the B’s tonight from home has me missing it so much — sometimes I feel like this time off is just a waste when I’m not working or making strides in my personal life — but I know nothing is a waste and I know this all will serve a purpose. I haven’t been able to respond to everyone but all your notes and messages have made me so happy and it’s so nice to know you haven’t forgotten me! Even though this year was tough — looking back at pictures I realize how many [blessings] I have had and that I’m a super lucky and supported person.”
In Jurksztowicz’s absence, Adam Pellerin served as NESN’s sole Bruins studio host early in the season. In late November, longtime host Dale Arnold, who had retired in April 2023, returned to NESN on an interim basis to ease the workload on the current staff.
Jurksztowicz has been with NESN since August 2019, when she joined the network from Sportsnet in Toronto.
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