In Vancouver, the Canucks are king when it comes to the sporting world. Hundreds of kids across the country win the Stanly Cup in their driveways and dream one of one day playing in the show and bringing that dream to reality.  

But what happens when you can no longer achieve that dream? For me, it was pivoting to sports broadcasting. I can remember a time in my early years of elementary school, I decided during lunch I was going to do play by play while my classmates played ball hocky on the hardtop, one of my friends turned to me and commented that I sounded good at it, and from that moment, I was hooked. 

I had grown up hearing the legendary voices of Jim Hughson and John Shorthouse on the TV, and for me, they weren’t just commentators; they were the sound of hockey. To this day I still get goosebumps while listening to Alex Burrows knock of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011 or the numerous, “Great save, Luongo!” from Jim Hughson. A good play by play guy can elevate the moment, not just call it. 

But where to start? You can’t exactly walk into an arena and start yapping into a mic. Thanks to an opportunity from the BCIT Radio Arts and Entertainment course, and also the unfortunate case of one of my friends leaving, I got the chance to step in to do play by play for the Port Moody Panther’s in the PJHL. 

So, what is it like to be a sports broadcaster in a lower-level league? Let me tell you, it is the best job I’ve ever had. I show up a couple hours early to do prep and set up the equipment. I love the sounds on the rink, freshly sharpened skates carving up the ice, the locker room stench and the general dampness of it all. There’s no place I’d rather be.

and then it’s show time. Whether the home team wins or losses it’s always a good time for me. Even though the playoff run was short lived, I am unbelievably hyped to come back next season to run it back and further improve and home in on my skills as a broadcaster, storyteller, and stat nerd. 

For anyone looking to get into play by play or sports broadcasting, and I know there is a lot out there, the Radio Arts and Entertainment, although it has had its ups and downs, it has opened more doors for me than I thought possible. I know find myself with not only paid play by play experience under my belt, but a hot radio personality prospect, and sending out demo reels with work fully voiced and produced by me to talent agencies for voice acting. 
Its just like the great one says, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.