Rogers today announced the four big voices who will guide hockey fans through all of the upcoming memorable on-ice moments, beginning with the 2014/15 NHL season.
Jim Hughson, Dave Randorf, Paul Romanuk and Bob Cole will call play-by-play for NHL national games across all Rogers properties, as well as Hockey Night in Canada, this coming fall. The announcement was made today as part of the 2014 Rogers Upfront.
“All four of these announcers have the remarkable ability to bring the game to life, capture the ebbs, flows and emotions of the game, and elevate the viewing experience in a significant way,” said Gord Cutler, Senior Vice President of NHL Production, Rogers. “Jim Hughson is one of the top voices in the business today, and Dave Randorf and Paul Romanuk also bring an incredible amount of experience and expertise from the broadcast booth. With the legendary Bob Cole rounding out the team, we are thrilled to have talent of this caliber calling the games for Canadians next season.”
The Lineup:
Jim Hughson, Lead Play-by-Play Announcer
• The Gemini Award-winner will be the lead play-by-play commentator for Rogers’s upcoming NHL coverage from the first puck drop on October 8 through the regular season to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final
• Hughson is one of hockey’s most notable broadcast voices, with an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. He has called countless NHL, OHL, and CHL games, as well as numerous big events including the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final, NHL Winter Classic, NHL All-Star Game and the men’s hockey tournament at the 2006 and 2014 Olympic Winter Games. This year marks Hughson’s sixth Stanley Cup Final
• Hughson on his new role: “I’m pleased to be joining the Rogers hockey crew, and what we will endeavor to build into one of the best teams in hockey broadcasting. It’s going to be a great ride.”
Dave Randorf
• Randorf brings close to 25 years of experience to his new role with Rogers. The Gemini Award nominee has covered countless sporting events throughout his career, and has served as a play-by-play commentator for the IIHF World Championships, the World Junior Hockey Championships, as well as numerous NHL and other international hockey events. He was the full-time regional voice of the Montreal Canadiens for the last four seasons
• Randorf on his new role: “Like most Canadians, I am passionate about our game of hockey. To have this opportunity is an honour and I am very excited about the next phase of my career. I have been extremely fortunate the last 17 years of my career. Great memories and great people. Now I am looking forward to my next chapter and helping bring the passion and excitement of the NHL to Rogers.”
Paul Romanuk
• Romanuk has more than 25 years of sports broadcasting experience, and has provided play-by-play commentary for numerous NHL games, including serving as the voice of the Montreal Canadiens regional broadcasts from 1998 to 2001. He has also called several World Junior Hockey Championships and World Hockey Championships
• Romanuk on his new role: “I can’t say enough how thrilled I am to be coming back to Canada to call play-by-play for the greatest hockey league in the world, and to be part of Rogers’s exciting new venture as national rights holders, bringing so many games to hockey fans across the country. Rogers is building a great team, and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”
Bob Cole
• Cole, a Hockey Hall of Famer and Canadian icon, has been captivating hockey audiences with his electrifying voice for more than five decades. Cole will continue to call games on Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada, as well as during the Stanley Cup Playoffs
• Cole on returning to the broadcast booth in September: “I’m coming off one of the most exciting playoff experiences, and I’ve barely had a chance to unwind yet! It’s a delight to join the Rogers team, and I am pleased they are continuing to honour the Hockey Night in Canada tradition. I’m flattered to be included – and rest assured, I’ll do everything I can to give it my best shot.”
Rogers Communications secured a 12-year deal with the NHL in November 2013 for exclusive national broadcast and multimedia rights in Canada, beginning with the 2014-15 season.
