David Alter found himself in a crowded, competitive room of 25 interns all fighting for the same chances to stand out. While others went about their work in a more traditional way, Alter sought out a different path, playing towards his strengths, and deciding to become an innovator.
At this point smart phones were still a bit of a rarity, but Alter was able to score a hand-me-down BlackBerry from his older brothers. Determined to stay ahead of the others, he tracked down the company’s IT specialist and made the simple yet unconventional request of putting his work email on his phone.
With Alter willing to step outside the box and take that technological leap, he was able to push himself ahead of the pack and show what he could offer.
“It’s such a small thing, but I leaned on what I was good at because I knew early on that I was good at tech,” said Alter. “That way, when my boss would send out the distribution list to the interns, saying who can do this? Who can do that? I was always first to say yes because I found my competitive advantage.”
David Alter’s career as a sports journalist has been anything but a straight line. Now a site manager for The Hockey News Toronto and reports full-time on the Toronto Maple Leafs. He hasn’t missed a game, home or away, since 2021.
Alter’s career is powered by resilience, versatility, and his love for hockey. For up-and-coming journalists, Alter’s journey from his early days in media, at his school radio station, to becoming one of Toronto’s trusted voices in hockey is inspiring.
Alter’s path began where not many would guess, in economics at Western University, though it didn’t take him long to realize he wasn’t doing what he wanted. Alter decided to try some volunteering, doing play-by-play radio for his school, and before he knew it, he was spending more time at the radio station than he was in class.
After doing a lot of searching, he was able to secure an internship at the FAN 590, which then turned into an eight-year employment as a producer, sportscaster, and then a reporter for the Leafs.
“It’s kind of insane, I just kind of sent an email to a sports director after getting some experience, and that’s kind of turned into my career,” said Alter.
Alter had a few stops between the FAN 590 and where he is today, including writing for the Leafs website, the National Post, the Athletic, and TSN, before getting in with The Hockey News.
Alter always comes back to the phrase: “Bet on yourself.” He even has this in his bio on social media. For him, betting on yourself means taking every opportunity and embracing it, proving hard work and dedication.
Alongside his relentless work ethic, Alter brings a remarkable adaptability that has helped him keep up with the ever-changing world of digital media. He’s developed an impressive fluency with technology, from being the first in the newsroom to put email on his phone back in 2006, to now running content management systems.
“So, a lot of it is being a journalist, but a lot of it is also running a website,” said Alter.
His technical expertise has made him invaluable in running The Hockey News Toronto’s platform, where understanding audience engagement and digital reach are as essential as traditional reporting skills.
Alter’s approachability and leadership style have made him a mentor to younger journalists in the industry. He’s worked closely with Evan Doerfler, a young reporter who started as his intern.
“He’s definitely been a mentor for me,” Doerfler says. “Working with David, he’s able to help craft your writing and revise it and give suggestions, and when you do that consecutively over and over with reps on end you’re going to get better at whatever you’re doing even if its not writing.”
Doerfler’s admiration for Alter goes beyond his work ethic, noting that Alter’s hands-on guidance has shaped his own approach to journalism.
Nick Barden, who met Alter at Leafs Nation, shares a similar respect for Alter’s dedication.
“The number one thing is consistency, he’s always one of the first people to do things, one of the first people at morning skates, he’s a very determined person,” Barden says, highlighting Alter’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
Barden has found Alter’s example inspiring, especially in an industry where perseverance and consistency are often the keys to success.
Despite the demands of his job, Alter is known for his positive energy. Whether bonding with colleagues over shared interests or discussing the quirks of the industry, he brings an approachable, down-to-earth vibe to his work environment.
“I would say he’s a lot of fun, he likes to joke around, there’s that side of it, and then there’s also again how much he wants to work hard and how determined he is to get a story,” Barden says, emphasizing the balance Alter maintains in his professional relationships.
Alter’s story is not only about his journey through sports media but also a testament to the importance of resilience and adaptability in journalism.
His determination to be at every Leafs game home or away, his technological skills, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of sports reporters make him a model for anyone entering the industry.