Showing posts with label 2010 Olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 Olympics. Show all posts

Monday, October 8, 2018

Stepping down

Last Thursday (Oct 4th) was my last one behind the mic for the Ottawa Senators. It wasn’t an easy decision to come to – but it’s one that’s best for me and my family. Like a lot of Canadian kids growing up in Montreal, one of my dreams was to play in the NHL. If you’ve seen me play hockey, you know that’s impossible so I had pursue my dream another way.
Fast forward to the summer of 2006 when I became the PA announcer (hired by Glen Gower) for the Ottawa Senators. It was the closest thing I’d ever have to being a player on the ice and I never took the job for granted every single time I walked into that arena.
It was a dream come true.
Calling players names at the start of each game was such a rush – I was nervous and excited every single time I opened the mic. And those players were always so welcoming, they always made me feel like a part of the team… like one of the guys.
When I was diagnosed with Leukemia the outpouring of support from Sens fans, the players, the wives and the organization – from security staff, suite hosts, right up to the front office was incredible. To this day there are not enough words of gratitude and thanks – that feeling of support and love I will take with me forever. But truth is the effects of all that treatment (chemo, radiation) and the medication (that I’m still taking) has finally caught up with me.
I don’t announce calls like I use to, and the act of burning the candle on both ends isn’t something I can do anymore. I would often joke, the Sens gig pays the groceries, the job on the radio at MAJIC 100 FM pays the mortgage.
The role of PA announcer for the Ottawa Senators afforded me so many incredible opportunities – from calling games at 2 Olympics, NHL All Star game, NHL draft, announcer for the NHL awards, NHL outdoor game to name a few.
More importantly, it also allowed me to meet thousands of Sens fans over the years, you’re a passionate fan base. Don’t ever lose that and don’t ever take for granted how lucky we are as a city to have an NHL team in our backyard.
I’ll continue to work with the Ottawa Senators doing some events throughout the year with the Senators foundation and alumni. Until then I look forward to going to games with my kids, it’ll be a new experience that I look forward to, because ultimately family is the most important thing.
To the game night crew, please continue playing Cotton Eyed Joe, and doing what you do best. I’m truly going to miss working with you.
And lastly to the Sens fans, I hope I did you proud each and every game night, it was an honour and a privilege to be your PA announcer over the last 12 years.
Thank you, Un gros merci, GO SENS GO!
(Thanks for the jersey Emily Knight)

Monday, March 1, 2010

I'll have Gold pint please...

The celebs were out in full force for the Gold medal game, including Hollywood actor Vince Vaughn. He was taunting the crowd during Friday's semifinal and prior to Sunday's game I asked if he would autograph my "Hockey is Canada's Game" sign. He said "C'mon dude..you know I can't do that, I'll get in trouble.." So, I offered option B. Pose for a photo with me or I call in the RCMP. He smiled, gave me the OK and I put my blackberry camera into motion. I tried to get him to sign it after the game, but decided I didn't need an ass kicking from an A list star.


Bryan Adams was 2 boxes over and was kind enough to pose and sign. Late in the 3d period I was waving the sign and he motioned to me to hold it up so he could take a picture on his blackberry. Here I'm thinking, how cool is this, Bryan Adams is taking a photo of my sign that he signed...

Mr. Adams is likely looking at his phone today thinking, "Why did I take a photo of this guy?"

Delete...




While Team Canada captain Scott Neidemayer was skating with the flag I kept thinking this is too good to be true. The perfect ending to a typical Canadian hockey story. Many of you reading this grew up hearing about Paul Henderson's goal in 72. On Sunday Feb 28th 2010, a new page was written where years from now you'll be able to say where you were when you saw it.

I was in the rink, surrounded by USA fans. How sweet it is.




After the game we sat in a bar still amazed from what we saw. Congrats to all the Canadian athletes who made the journey to Vancouver. Regardless of how you finished, you made the country proud.

Paralympics start next week, I'll be back to work those as a PA announcer for men's sledge hockey.

No pressure boys...but let's see if we can go 3 for 3 in hockey.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Microphone is now off....

Finland 2, Czech Republic 0.

Final Olympic game at UBC Thunderbird arena.

After announcing 17 hockey games (15 Women's, 2 Men's) I now have the good fortune to move from rafters down to the stands with jersey on and beer in hand.

My accreditation is now null in void, blue uniform put away and access to the pressbox washroom now denied.

Bring on Team Canada.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Getting ready for the Women..

Sitting here in our production office at UBC Thunderbird arena and getting ready for the Canada/Sweden game followed by Slovakia/Switzerland later tonight. In between games we have a monitor and are watching non stop Olympic action. I have to admit in past Olympics I've mostly watched hockey but now that I'm in the bubble, I'm hooked on a variety of events including the Women's downhill which is on as I write this. Our schedule is the same everyday, get to the rink 3 hours before puckdrop and go over player rosters and scripts. I've been lucky enough to work as a PA announcer for big events like the Stanley Cup, World Juniors and over in Sweden but this is on a whole other level. The world is watching Vancouver and just getting an opportunity to be apart of it is something I'll cherish forever. If you want to watch one of the coolest promos for Canadian Hockey, click here. You may have to download a special viewer but it's from the CTV site and loads in seconds.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Lucky Loonie...

The question I'm getting the most from back home is, "so what's it like working a game at the Olympics'?

It's amazing looking down at center ice and seeing the 5 rings. There's no downside, but player rosters are completely different from the NHL. When I saw the names for China today, I thought, "how the heck am I going to announce these?". Thankfully a very patient Chinese team rep sat with me, saying each name 5 or 6 times. The crowds are pumped regardless of who's playing. In the USA/China game most were cheering for the US, even VP Joe Biden was in the building. Team USA was hammering China and late in the third you couldn't help but hope that China would score. They eventually did and lost 12-1, but the goal was huge and the building erupted in cheers.



After our late game we got word that there would be a group photo with our crew after the game. I think the arena staff thought we would take one photo and leave, but 30 minutes later they almost had to drag us off. No sign of a lucky loonie in the ice, just the one lying on it.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Random thoughts from the Olympics...

Driving through Vancouver today we noticed a foreign TV crew that was checking into their hotel. They walked in and out pretty quickly. To their credit, the hotel is technically downtown, just on the outskirts. This is why you use Google.

You can't go anywhere in this city without bumping into someone who ran with the torch. They're easy to find. Look for the crowds and you'll see someone in a white track suit living the rockstar life for a few minutes.









This was taken at the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion (downtown Van) where I hosted the launch for the new Olympic Loonie on Thursday. I asked to hold the Gold medal and the instructions were, please wear these white gloves and don't lick it.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Gotta light?


The Olympic Torch is coming through Ottawa this weekend...Congrats to all the lucky runners including Dion Metcalfe. What an opportunity to have! I'm going to crop him out from this photo in 30 years and tell my grandkids that I ran with the flame.
(photo credit - Cynthia Sager Snap Ottawa Downtown)