Who wants to read close to 5,600 words about announcer record-keeping?
And where does that rank on the list of worst attention-grabbing blog post hooks in the history of humankind?
The year hit its proverbial one-third point Sunday night, although the actual one-third point comes at 4 p.m. Tuesday in your favorite time zone. But while I was pondering that the four quarters of the year are three different lengths in most years (90, 91, 92 and 92 days, with the first quarter becoming 91 in a leap year) and I suppose the three thirds can be too, I realized that no one actually cares about that and we should get on with the content.
So, without further or Freddy Adu, here are 93 different blurbs about announcer milestones since we last updated things here.
By way of reminder, we track announcers in three categories, which I will probably refer to as “flavors” sometime in this post. You can be a play-by-play announcer, a color commentator, or a sideline reporter (also called a field, courtside or rinkside reporter). Following the established precedent in the listings community, an analyst who works from field level (popularized by Fox’s use of Tony Siragusa on the NFL) is credited as an analyst rather than a reporter.
We have five main listings — one for each of the four major pro sports (MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL) in the United States, plus a separate listing for the NHL in Canada. While I do track some collegiate announcers in terms of including them in the daily schedules, there isn’t a tabulator for them. All of these listings track only national network telecasts, not including teams’ local broadcasts, although there is occasionally some crossover when a local NHL feed is picked up in Canada.
On top of those listings, there are three sets of totals, which come from arithmetic sums of the previous five categories. These are a cumulative NHL total, a cumulative total across the four American lists, and a cumulative total across all four sports including Canada. The NHL totals don’t double-count a game shown on both sides of the 49th parallel – if your Canadian telecast is shown in America or vice versa, you get credit in each individual listing but only one game in the cumulative totals.
At this time, I don’t track studio personnel, although there is some blurring of the line between hosts and rinkside reporters in our old hockey data. The primary person affected by this is longtime CBC host Ron MacLean, who is credited with 545 host appearances through 1998 and has probably added another 1,000 over the last quarter-century.
(Because this list is longer than all get out, the Find feature is probably your friend if you’re looking for a specific announcer. Command-F or Control-F.)
Tuesday, Jan. 10 - Canucks at Penguins (SNE-SNO-SNP, 7:00) - Vancouver Canucks rinkside reporter Dan Murphy becomes the 14th person credited with 200 appearances as a reporter in our Canadian NHL listings and the 15th including the U.S. (As noted in the MacLean exception above, our sources are a bit fuzzy on the distinction between “reporting” and “hosting.”) John Garrett becomes the 12th person on record with 550 NHL colour commentary appearances between the two nations we track. John Shorthouse joins them in western Pennsylvania.
Tuesday, Jan. 10 - Panthers at Avalanche (ESPN+, 9:30) - Ray Ferraro’s 121st American national appearance as an NHL commentator passes Daryl Reaugh for 12th-most in our records. This completes a pass from Dec. 30, 2022. Emily Kaplan breaks a tie with Brian McFarlane and Joe Micheletti for the sixth-most American appearances by a host or reporter with her 69th such game, completing a pass from Jan. 5. John Buccigross handles play-by-play.
Tuesday, Jan. 10 - Suns at Warriors (TNT, 10:00) - Ian Eagle handles his 550th national play-by-play telecast of the four major pro sports, making him the 19th person to reach that point. Jim Jackson (the one from Ohio, not Philadelphia) and Chris Haynes partner with Eagle on the milestone occasion.
Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Predators at Maple Leafs (TNT, 7:30) - A give-and-take involving the sixth spot on the binational NHL colour list, the eighth position on the master color list and the 12th line on the binational NHL total list continues. Ed Olczyk passes Greg Millen with his 872nd color game and 874th total telecast, joined by Kenny Albert and Keith Jones. The two men continue to trade things off as follows…
Saturday, Jan. 14 - Millen 872/874 - CGY-DAL (SN) with Rick Ball and Ryan Leslie
Wednesday, Jan. 18 - Olczyk 873/875 - BOS-NYI (TNT)
Saturday, Jan. 21 - Millen 873/875 - TB-CGY (CBC-SN) with Ball and Leslie
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Olczyk 874/876 - NYR-TOR (TNT)
Friday, Jan. 27 - Millen 874/876 - CGY-SEA (SN1-E-O-W) with Ball and Leslie
Wednesday, Feb. 8 - Olczyk 875/877 - MIN-DAL (TNT)
Saturday, Feb. 11 - Millen 875/877 - CGY-BUF (SN1-E-O) with Ball and Leslie
Sunday, Feb. 12 - Olczyk 876/878 - SEA-PHI (SNE-O-P) with John Forslund and JT Brown
Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Oilers at Ducks (SN-SN1, 10:00) - Louie DeBrusk passes Joe Micheletti for 18th place on the list of NHL colour commentators between the U.S. and Canada with his 342nd such game. Jack Michaels and Gene Principe join him to complete this pass from Jan. 7.
Thursday, Jan. 12 - Kraken at Bruins (SN360, 7:00) - Former ESPN commentator and current Bruins voice Jack Edwards ties Dick Irvin with his 202nd Canadian national NHL telecast, a feed lift of Boston’s home game with Seattle. Andy Brickley and Sophia Jurksztowicz work alongside Edwards, who passes Irvin for #12 in the Canadian NHL play-by-play listings four days later.
Saturday, Jan. 14 - Bucks at Heat (ABC, 1:00) - Jeff Van Gundy’s 823rd national telecast of the four major pro sports passed Curt Gowdy for #16 on that total list. With Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Monica McNutt. Completed pass from Jan. 6.
Saturday, Jan. 14 - Seahawks at 49ers, wild card (Fox, 4:30) - Daryl Johnston’s 400th NFL telecast (21st to that point) and color (seventh to that point). With Joe Davis, Pam Oliver and Kristina Pink.
Saturday, Jan. 14 - Maple Leafs at Bruins (CBC-SNO-SNW, 7:00) - Hockey Night in Canada’s resident rinkside relator, Kyle Bukauskas, ties Brian McFarlane for eighth in our Canadian NHL rinkside listings with his 313th game. Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson staff the booth. Bukauskas completes the pass two nights later.
Saturday, Jan. 14 - Canadiens at Islanders (Citytv-SNE, 7:00) - John Bartlett of Hockey Night in Canada fame ties Dick Irvin and Jack Edwards with his 202nd Canadian national NHL telecast. The three men share that spot for about 42 hours and Bartlett and Irvin remain tied for four days. Garry Galley and Shawn McKenzie round out the telecast.
Sunday, Jan. 15 - Dolphins at Bills, wild card (CBS, 1:00) - Tracy Wolfson’s 243rd national sideline appearance in the four major pro sports ties Laura Okmin for 14th on the SLR list. Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Jay Feely also populate the booth. Pass completed Jan. 22.
Sunday, Jan. 15 - Giants at Vikings, wild card (Fox, 4:30) - Erin Andrews’ 392nd sideline appearance in our five main listings ties Christine Simpson for the 15th-most on record. Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen and Tom Rinaldi also appear on the telecast. Pass completed Jan. 22.
Monday, Jan. 16 - Flyers at Bruins (SN, 1:00) - Jack Edwards, whom we have previously discussed, makes his 203rd national Canadian appearance as an NHL play-by-play announcer, passing Dick Irvin and John Bartlett for 12th on that list and completing a pass from Jan. 12. Andy Brickley and Sophia Jurksztowicz work alongside Edwards.
Monday, Jan. 16 - Senators at Blues (SN, 8:00) - Hockey Night in Canada’s resident rinkside rocket, Kyle Bukauskas, passes Brian McFarlane for eighth in our Canadian NHL rinkside listings with his 314th game. Mike Luck and Jamal Mayers staff the booth. Bukauskas had tied McFarlane on the HNIC flagship game 49 hours earlier.
Wednesday, Jan. 18 - Penguins at Senators (SN1, 7:00) - John Bartlett calls his 203rd national Canadian game as an NHL play-by-play announcer, breaking a tie with Dick Irvin for 13th and creating one with Jack Edwards for 12th. Garry Galley and Kyle Bukauskas back up Bartlett. Because this post is going to be way too long as is and I don’t want to rewrite these blurbs for Bartlett and Edwards every single time, below is a list of their comings and goings.
Thursday, Jan. 19 - Edwards 204 - BOS-NYR on SN360-E-O-P
Saturday, Jan. 21 - Bartlett 204 - WPG-OTT on Citytv-SN1-W (with Galley and McKenzie)
Sunday, Jan. 22 - Edwards 205 - SJ-BOS on SN
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Bartlett 205 - NYI-OTT on SN1 (with Galley and Bukauskas)
Thursday, Jan. 26 - Edwards 206 - BOS-TB on SNE-O-P
Saturday, Jan. 28 - Bartlett 206 - PHI-WPG on Citytv-SN360-W (with Galley and Sean Reynolds)
Sunday, Jan. 29 - Edwards 207 - BOS-CAR on SN
Monday, Jan. 30 - Bartlett 207 - STL-WPG on SN (with Galley and Reynolds)
Thursday, Feb. 16 - Edwards 208 - BOS-NSH on SNE-O-P
Monday, Feb. 20 - Bartlett 208 - WPG-NYR on SN (with Galley and Reynolds)
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Bartlett 209 - WPG-NYI on SN (with Galley and Reynolds)
Thursday, Feb. 23 - Edwards 209 - BOS-SEA on SN360-E-O-P
Saturday, Feb. 25 - Bartlett 210 - OTT-MTL on CBC-SN360-E-O (with Galley and Bukauskas)
Thursday, March 2 - Edwards 210 - BUF-BOS on SNE-O-P
Monday, March 6 - Bartlett 211 - SJ-WPG on SN1 (with Sam Cosentino and Reynolds)
Bartlett proceeds to work again on March 8, 11, 13 and 18 before Edwards’ next appearance
Friday, Jan. 20 - Heat at Mavericks (ESPN, 7:30) - Cassidy Hubbarth’s 147th NBA sideline appearance ties Pat O’Brien for 10th-most on record. With Mark Jones and Jeff Van Gundy. Pass completed Jan. 28.
Saturday, Jan. 21 - Maple Leafs at Canadiens (CBC-SN360-SNE-O-P, 7:00) - Hockey Night in Canada lead commentator Chris Cuthbert makes his 1,250th appearance in our Canadian NHL listings, most of which have come on play-by-play. He sits fourth in those listings, behind Bob Cole, Jim Hughson and Dick Irvin. Craig Simpson and Kyle Bukauskas back up Cuthbert that night.
Saturday, Jan. 21 - Giants at Eagles, divisional (Fox, 8:15) - Pam Oliver ties Dan Dierdorf for #8 on the NFL total list with 505 appearances. SLR with Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Kristina Pink.
Sunday, Jan. 22 - Bengals at Bills, divisional (CBS, 3:00) - Tracy Wolfson’s 244th national sideline appearance in the four major pro sports passes Laura Okmin for 14th on the SLR list. Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Jay Feely also populate the booth. Completion of pass from Jan. 15.
Sunday, Jan. 22 - Cowboys at 49ers, divisional (Fox, 6:30) - Erin Andrews’ 393rd sideline appearance in our five main listings passes Christine Simpson for the 15th-most on record. Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen and Tom Rinaldi also appear on the telecast. Completion of pass from Jan. 15.
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Grizzlies at Warriors (ESPN, 10:00) - Ryan Ruocco’s 152nd game of NBA play-by-play ties Skip Caray for 12th all-time. With JJ Redick and Ros Gold-Onwude. Pass completed Feb. 5.
Saturday, Jan. 28 - Nuggets at 76ers (ABC, 3:00) - Cassidy Hubbarth’s 148th NBA sideline appearance completes the pass of Pat O’Brien for 10th-most on record. With Dave Pasch and Hubie Brown. Completed pass from Jan. 20.
Saturday, Jan. 28 - Canadiens at Senators (CBC-SNE-O-P, 7:00) - Craig Simpson ties Bill Clement for the tenth-most national NHL telecasts between the U.S. and Canada with his 1,016th game, which is also good for the 19th-most games including the other three major sports. Chris Cuthbert and Shawn McKenzie join him.
Wednesday, Feb. 1 - Bruins at Maple Leafs (SN, 7:30) - The voice of Hockey Night in Canada, Chris Cuthbert, calls his 1,255th Canadian NHL telecast to tie Dick Irvin for third place. Craig Simpson calls his 1,017th NHL game between the U.S. and Canada. That breaks a tie with Bill Clement for 10th on the binational total list and 19th on the five master lists while creating another with Danny Gallivan for ninth and 18th respectively. Shawn McKenzie does reporting that night and the ties persist for about 68 hours.
Thursday, Feb. 2 - Grizzlies at Cavaliers (TNT, 7:30) - Reggie Miller ties Dick Stockton for ninth on the NBA’s total list with his 616th national telecast. With Kevin Harlan and Stephanie Ready. Pass completed Feb. 9.
Saturday, Feb. 4 - NHL All-Star Game (CBC-SN, 3:00) - Chris Cuthbert assumes third place outright on the list of Canadian NHL national commentators, working his 1,256th game to pass Dick Irvin. Craig Simpson’s 1,018th national NHL telecast passes Danny Gallivan for ninth-most on record between the U.S. and Canada and the 18th-most including the other three major sports. Kyle Bukauskas, David Amber and Kevin Bieksa also appear on the telecast, which consists of three 20-minute mini games. Completion of passes from Feb. 1.
Sunday, Feb. 5 - 76ers at Knicks (ESPN, 6:00) - Ryan Ruocco passes Skip Caray for 12th on the confirmed NBA play-by-play list with his 153rd national telecast. Partners are Richard Jefferson, J.J. Redick and Monica McNutt. Completes pass from Jan. 25.
Thursday, Feb. 9 - Bucks at Lakers (TNT, 10:00) - Reggie Miller’s 617th NBA telecast passes Dick Stockton for ninth on record in the NBA. With Kevin Harlan and Chris Haynes. Completed pass from Feb. 2.
Friday, Feb. 10 - Hornets at Celtics (ESPN, 7:30) - Doris Burke becomes the 12th NBA commentator to appear on 550 national telecasts. Cassidy Hubbarth becomes the 10th NBA sideline reporter with 150 national credits. Mark Jones handles play-by-play.
Saturday, Feb. 11 - Blue Jackets at Maple Leafs (CBC-City-SN-SN1-SN360, 7:00) - This Hockey Night in Canada telecast is the 11,500th game in our Canadian NHL listings. Chris Cuthbert, Craig Simpson and Kyle Bukauskas do the talking.
Tuesday, Feb. 14 - Panthers at Blues (ESPN+, 8:00) - Ray Ferraro’s 129th national (American) appearance as an NHL color commentator ties Peter McNab for 11th-most on record. Leah Hextall handles play-by-play with Dominic Moore also analyzing. Pass completed Feb. 18.
Tuesday, Feb. 14 - Lightning at Avalanche (SN, 9:00) - Lightning play-by-play voice Dave Randorf calls his 371st game for a Canadian national audience, tying fellow former CBC commentator Paul Romanuk for eighth among PBP men and fifteenth including the United States. Brian Engblom and Gabrielle Shirley round out the telecast, which creates a tie that lasts until Feb. 28.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Cavaliers at 76ers (ESPN, 7:30) - Ryan Ruocco’s 154th NBA play-by-play appearance ties Gary Bender for 11th in our records. Jeff Van Gundy handles color commentary. Pass completed Feb. 24.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Avalanche at Wild (TNT, 9:30) - Kenny Albert’s 1,309th national telecast in our records ties Jim Hughson for seventh among all four major pro sports and types of commentators. Ed Olczyk and Keith Jones handle color commentary. Pass completed Feb. 22.
Saturday, Feb. 18 - Canadiens at Maple Leafs (CBC-Citytv-SN, 7:00) - Current HNIC lead analyst Craig Simpson calls his 1,000th NHL game for a Canadian national audience, making him the third colour commentator and eighth person overall to reach that milestone. Chris Cuthbert, who also had a milestone Habs-Leafs game earlier this year, and Kyle Bukauskas join him.
Saturday, Feb. 18 - Capitals at Hurricanes (ABC, 8:00) - At North Carolina State University’s Carter-Finley Stadium, Ray Ferraro assumes sole possession of 11th place on the American NHL color commentators list with his 130th game, passing Peter McNab and completing a pass from Feb. 14. Sean McDonough does play-by-play and Emily Kaplan, Kevin Weekes and Marty Smith report.
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Blackhawks at Stars (TNT, 9:30) - Kenny Albert’s 1,310th national telecast in our records passes Jim Hughson for seventh among all four major pro sports and types of commentators. Ed Olczyk and Keith Jones handle color commentary. Completed pass from Feb. 15.
Thursday, Feb. 23 - Oilers at Penguins (SNE-O-W, 7:00) - The “350 Canadian NHL telecasts as a colour man” club gains its 11th member as Louie DeBrusk hits that mark alongside Jack Michaels and Gene Principe.
Friday, Feb. 24 - Thunder at Suns (ESPN, 10:00) - Ryan Ruocco passes Gary Bender for 11th on the list of national NBA play-by-play announcers with his 155th game. Alongside Ruocco are Richard Jefferson, J.J. Redick and Monica McNutt. Completes pass from Feb. 15.
Saturday, Feb. 25 - Celtics at 76ers (ABC, 8:00) - This was the 2,500th NBA telecast on the Disney family of networks (ABC, ESPN, etc.) since they reacquired national rights in 2002. Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters helm the telecast.
Monday, Feb. 27 - Canucks at Stars (SN1-SNP, 8:30) - The “550 Canadian NHL telecasts as a colour man” club gains its seventh member as John Garrett hits that mark alongside John Shorthouse and Dan Murphy.
Tuesday, Feb. 28 - Panthers at Lightning (SNE-SNO, 7:00) - Former CBC commentator Dave Randorf, now working for the Lightning just as he was two weeks earlier, calls his 372nd game for a Canadian national audience, passing fellow former CBC commentator Paul Romanuk for eighth among PBP men and 15th including the United States. Brian Engblom and Gabrielle Shirley round out the telecast.
Wednesday, March 1 - Rangers at Flyers (TNT, 7:30) - Darren Pang becomes the eighth person to call 700 national NHL telecasts in the United States. Brendan Burke handles the play-by-play with Jackie Redmond reporting.
Sunday, March 5 - Warriors at Lakers (ESPN, 3:30) - Lisa Salters’ 650th sideline appearance across the four major pro sports makes her the third person in the U.S. to reach that plateau; she is the fifth person with that credit including Canadian NHL work, although there has been some shifting between the role of rinkside reporter and host in that listing over the years. Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson accompany her.
Sunday, March 5 - Grizzlies at Clippers (ESPN, 10:00) - Mark Jackson ties Doug Collins for third on the NBA color list, eighth on the NBA total list, ninth on the color list in the four major American pro sports and 15th on the color list in our five main listings with his 686th appearance. Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Lisa Salters accompany him. Pass completed March 11.
Tuesday, March 7 - Flyers at Lightning (SNE-O-P, 7:30) - Lightning color commentator and former ESPN analyst ace Brian Engblom calls his 850th NHL game between the U.S. and Canada. That makes him the 14th person to call that many games; it’s also his 650th game of colour commentary, which is 10th-most in the NHL and 17th-most in the five main listings. Dave Randorf and Gabby Shirley flank him.
Wednesday, March 8 - Blackhawks at Red Wings (TNT, 7:30) - Darren Pang becomes the fourth person to call 650 national NHL telecasts in the United States as a color commentator. He also becomes the 11th person with 650 color telecasts in any of the four major U.S. pro sports. Kenny Albert is the play-by-play announcer and Keith Jones also analyzes; Pang and Ed Olczyk switched spots this week due to geography.
Thursday, March 9 - Warriors at Grizzlies (TNT, 7:30) - Kevin Harlan becomes the fourth NBA commentator and third play-by-play announcer with 850 national games under his belt. Reggie Miller and Jared Greenberg round out the telecast.
Saturday, March 11 - Bucks at Warriors (ABC, 8:30) - Mark Jackson passes Doug Collins for third on the NBA color list, eighth on the NBA total list, ninth on the color list in the four major American pro sports and 15th on the color list in our five main listings with his 687th appearance. Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Lisa Salters accompany him. Completed pass from March 5.
Wednesday, March 15 - Wild at Blues (TNT, 9:30) - Working alongside Brendan Burke on play-by-play and Tarik El-Bashir reporting, Darren Pang becomes the 18th person in our records to broadcast 750 national NHL telecasts to the United States and/or Canada. He also becomes the ninth person to reach 700 games on the binational NHL color commentator list and the 14th person to 700 on the color commentator list in any of the four major pro sports.
Wednesday, March 22 - Penguins at Avalanche (TNT, 8:00) - Kenny Albert becomes the fourth person with 1,300 national play-by-play telecasts of the four major American pro sports and the sixth including Canadian NHL broadcasts. Ed Olczyk ties Joe Morgan for seventh place on our master color commentary list with his 886th national telecast. Keith Jones joins them on the telecast. Olczyk pass completed March 29.
Thursday, March 23 - Penguins at Stars (ESPN, 9:00) - Ray Ferraro’s 136th national (American) appearance as an NHL color commentator ties Darren Eliot for 10th-most on record. Steve Levy handles play-by-play with Emily Kaplan reporting. Pass completed two days later.
Saturday, March 25 - Capitals at Penguins (ABC, 8:00) - Ray Ferraro assumes sole possession of 10th place on the American NHL color commentators list with his 137th game, passing Darren Eliot and completing a pass from March 23. Sean McDonough does play-by-play and Emily Kaplan reports.
Tuesday, March 28 - Oilers at Golden Knights (SN1-E-O-P, 10:00) - Prince of puns Gene Principe ties Christine Simpson for the 12th-most NHL appearances on record by a rinkside reporter with his 227th game. Jack Michaels and Louie DeBrusk populate the booth and the pass is completed on April 5.
Wednesday, March 29 - Mavericks at 76ers (ESPN, 7:30) - Mike Breen’s 1050th national telecast of the four major pro sports makes him the ninth person in the U.S. and 16th including Canada to reach that plateau. Among play-by-play announcers, he is the seventh in the U.S. and 11th including Canada. Jeff Van Gundy and Cassidy Hubbarth join him.
Wednesday, March 29 - Penguins at Avalanche (TNT, 8:00) - Ed Olczyk passes Joe Morgan for seventh place on our master color commentary list with his 887th national telecast. Kenny Albert and Keith Jones join him on the telecast. Pass completed from March 22.
Thursday, March 30 - White Sox at Astros (ESPN, 7:00) - The fourth of four commentators to appear on this telecast, likely field reporter Buster Olney, is the 30,000th commentator credit to appear in our MLB announcer listing. There are 564 people in the listings, 116 of whom appeared exactly once. The other commentators on this game were Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez and Roger Clemens.
Saturday, April 1 - Giants at Yankees (Fox regional, 4:00) - John Smoltz’s 493rd national color-commentary appearance ties him for 18th across the four major U.S. pro sports with Dan Dierdorf. Joe Davis and Ken Rosenthal also appear.
Saturday, April 1 - Maple Leafs at Senators (CBC-SN360-SNO-W-P, 7:00) - Chris Cuthbert becomes the third person to handle 1,250 national NHL play-by-play telecasts between the U.S. and Canada. (Bob Cole and Jim Hughson are the others.) He’s also the seventh person to reach that mark in the five main listings. Craig Simpson and Kyle Bukauskas join him, as they often do on Saturdays.
Sunday, April 2 - Warriors at Nuggets (NBA TV, 8:30) - Dennis Scott ties Lewis Johnson for 13th among NBA courtside reporters with 124 appearances. Spero Dedes handles play-by-play with Brendan Haywood on color. The completion of this pass remains pending as of month end.
Wednesday, April 5 - Oilers at Ducks (SN-SN360, 10:00) - Gene Principe assumes outright possession of the 12th position on the list of Canadian NHL rinkside reporters, passing Christine Simpson with his 228th such game. Jack Michaels and Louie DeBrusk populate the booth and the pass from March 28 is completed.
Saturday, April 8 - Flames at Canucks (CBC-Citytv-SN-SN360, 10:00) - John Shorthouse ties Jim Robson with his 196th Canadian national television appearance as the play-by-play man, which leaves the two men deadlocked at 15th for five days. John Garrett and Scott Oake join him.
Sunday, April 9 - Avalanche at Ducks (TNT, 9:00) - Kenny Albert pulls into a tie with John Forslund with his 427th American national NHL telecast. The men share ninth place on the overall list and fourth on the play-by-play list in addition to 12th on the binational NHL play-by-play list for about 72 hours. Ed Olczyk and Keith Jones share analyst duties (for the game, not Albert’s list movement).
Monday, April 10 - Wild at Blackhawks (ESPN, 9:00) - A.J. Mleczko’s 120th American national appearance as an NHL commentator ties Daryl Reaugh for 13th-most in our records. She calls the game with play-by-play announcer Mike Monaco and analyst Dominic Moore before completing the pass on April 13.
Monday, April 10 - Predators at Flames (SN-SN1, 9:30) - Calgary-based play-by-play announcer Rick Ball becomes the 10th person to handle 300 Canadian NHL telecasts in that medium and the 18th when the United States is included. Kelly Hrudey and Ryan Leslie appear on the same medium in other capacities.
Tuesday, April 11 - Padres at Mets (TBS, 7:00) - Bob Costas’ 500th MLB telecast, 10th to that point. On PBP with color Ron Darling.
Wednesday, April 12 - Stars at Blues (TNT, 7:30) - Kenny Albert breaks a tie with John Forslund with his 428th American national NHL telecast, moving into ninth place on the overall list and fourth on the play-by-play list in addition to 12th on the binational NHL play-by-play list. Ed Olczyk and Keith Jones do color. Completion of pass from April 9.
Wednesday, April 12 - Sharks at Flames (SN-SN1, 10:00) - Kelly Hrudey cracks the top 15 of Canadian NHL colour commentators, tying Mike Johnson with his 227th appearance alongside Rick Ball and Ryan Leslie. Completion of this pass is still pending because Hrudey appears as a studio analyst in the playoffs.
Thursday, April 13 - Blues at Stars (ESPN, 8:00) - A.J. Mleczko takes sole possession of 13th place in the American NHL color commentator listings, passing Daryl Reaugh with her 121st game. John Buccigross and Leah Hextall round out the broadcast. Completion of pass from April 10.
Thursday, April 13 - Canucks at Coyotes (SNP, 10:00) - In the final Canucks game of the season, John Shorthouse passes Jim Robson on the Canadian NHL play-by-play list with his 197th game. John Garrett handles local colour in Vancouver for the final time and Dan Murphy reports. Completion of pass from April 8.
Saturday, April 15 - Knicks at Cavaliers game 1 (ESPN, 6:00) - Hubie Brown ties Harry Neale for the second-most color commentary appearances and 14th-most appearances overall in our five main listings with his 1,075th game. Dave Pasch and Cassidy Hubbarth flank him. Pass completed April 21.
Monday, April 17 - Warriors at Kings game 2 (TNT, 10:00) - Ian Eagle’s 134th national NBA play-by-play assignment ties Tom Hammond for 15th on record. Jim Jackson and Jared Greenberg are with Eagle. Pass completed April 19.
Wednesday, April 19 - Lakers at Grizzlies game 2 (TNT, 7:30) - Ian Eagle’s 135th national NBA play-by-play assignment passes Tom Hammond for 15th on record. Jim Jackson and Jared Greenberg are with Eagle. Completed pass from April 17.
Wednesday, April 19 - Kings at Oilers game 2 (CBC-SN, 10:00) - Louie DeBrusk ties John Davidson for the 17th-most NHL colour commentary appearances between the U.S. and Canada with his 370th game. Harnarayan Singh and Scott Oake call this one with him. Pass completed April 21.
Thursday, April 20 - Lightning at Maple Leafs game 2 (CBC-SN, 7:00) - Craig Simpson ties Al Michaels with his 1,033rd appearance in our five master listings, which is good for 17th place across four sports and two countries. Chris Cuthbert and Kyle Bukauskas join Simpson as he starts the two-day pass.
Friday, April 21 - Celtics at Hawks game 3 (ESPN, 7:00) - Hubie Brown passes Harry Neale for the second-most color commentary appearances and 14th-most appearances overall in our five main listings with his 1,076th game. Dave Pasch and Cassidy Hubbarth flank him. Completed pass from April 15.
Friday, April 21 - Bruins at Panthers game 3 (CBC-SNE-O-P, 7:30) - John Shorthouse, pressed into action on a non-Canucks series, calls his 200th game of national Canadian NHL play-by-play to become the 15th person with that credential. John Garrett and Caroline Cameron tag along.
Friday, April 21 - Stars at Wild game 3 (TBS, 9:30) - Darren Pang makes his 707th NHL color commentary appearance on a national telecast to the United States and/or Canada, tying Gary Green for eighth on that list and 13th on the four major pro sports analyst list. Randy Hahn and Bret Hedican join him to call the action and start a pass that takes less than 24 hours to complete.
Friday, April 21 - Oilers at Kings game 2 (CBC-SN, 10:00) - Louie DeBrusk passes John Davidson for the 17th-most NHL colour commentary appearances between the U.S. and Canada with his 371st game. Harnarayan Singh and Scott Oake call this one with him. Pass completed from April 19.
Saturday, April 22 - Maple Leafs at Lightning game 3 (TBS, 7:00, with first period bumped to truTV) - Darren Pang passes Gary Green with his 708th NHL color commentary appearance, assuming eighth place outright on the binational analyst list and 13th on the four major pro sports analyst list. Brendan Burke and Butch Goring join Pang on the announce team as he finishes the pass from the night before.
Saturday, April 22 - Maple Leafs at Lightning game 3 (CBC-SN, 7:00) - Craig Simpson passes Al Michaels with his 1,034th appearance in our five master listings, which is good for 17th place across four sports and two countries. Chris Cuthbert and Shawn McKenzie join Simpson as he finishes the two-day pass.
Sunday, April 23 - Hurricanes at Islanders game 4 (TNT, 1:00) - Kenny Albert’s 1,309th national play-by-play telecast in our five main lists ties Jim Hughson for fifth on record. Keith Jones’ 112th appearance as an American national NHL color commentator ties Dale Tallon for 15th on that list. Bryce Salvador joins Jones on color. Both passes are completed on April 25.
Sunday, April 23 - Kings at Warriors game 4 (ABC, 3:30) - Doris Burke ties Bill Russell with 297 confirmed NBA color commentary appearances, which is good for a tie for 10th on that list. Mark Jones and Malika Andrews join Burke. The completion of this pass remains pending.
Tuesday, April 25 - Wild at Stars game 5 (TBS, 8:00) - Turner Sports’ lead NHL crew doubles up on milestones. Play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert calls his 1,310th game of PBP in the five main listings, passing Jim Hughson, while analyst Keith Jones breaks a tie with Dale Tallon and claims 15th place on the American NHL color chart. Ed Olczyk also provides analysis. Both completed passes began on April 23.
Thursday, April 27 - Lightning at Maple Leafs game 5 (CBC-SN, 7:00) - Canadian NHL stalwart Chris Cuthbert matches TSN and NBC veteran Pierre McGuire with his 1,391st NHL telecast between the United States and Canada. This ties the two men for second place for a couple of days on the binational NHL total list and fourth place on the five master lists. Craig Simpson and Kyle Bukauskas join Cuthbert on the telecast.
Thursday, April 27 - Rangers at Devils game 5 (ESPN2, 7:30) - ESPN’s rinkside wrangler, Emily Kaplan, becomes the sixth person with 100 national rinkside reports on American national NHL telecasts. Steve Levy and Ray Ferraro discuss matters upstairs.
Friday, April 28 - Bruins at Panthers game 6 (CBC-SN, 7:30) - The Vancouver Canucks’ TV duo hits national milestones together - John Shorthouse calls his 202nd national game of play-by-play, tying Dick Irvin for 15th on the Canadian NHL list, while John Garrett’s 562nd national telecast ties Gord Miller for 15th among Canadian NHL commentators of all flavors. Caroline Cameron serves as reporter. Shorthouse’s pass is completed two nights later, while Garrett has a family commitment on April 30 and his pass remains pending.
Friday, April 28 - Grizzlies at Lakers game 6 (ESPN, 10:30) - Not to be outdone, ESPN’s NBA commentators also double up on milestones on the other side of the continent. Play-by-play man Mark Jones ties Cheryl Miller for 16th place on the total NBA list with his 444th game while analyst Doris Burke passes Bill Russell for 10th on the analyst list in her 298th game. Cassidy Hubbarth reports from the sidelines. Jones will finish his pass two days later while Burke’s started on April 23.
Saturday, April 29 - Maple Leafs at Lightning game 6 (CBC-SN, 7:00) - Canadian NHL stalwart Chris Cuthbert passes TSN and NBC veteran Pierre McGuire with his 1,392nd NHL telecast between the United States and Canada. This gives Cuthbert sole possession of second place on the binational NHL total list and fourth place on the five master lists. Craig Simpson and Kyle Bukauskas join Cuthbert on the telecast.
Saturday, April 29 - Devils at Rangers game 6 (ABC, 8:00) - ESPN’s lead NHL analyst, Ray Ferraro, becomes the 10th person with 150 national analyst credits on American national NHL telecasts. Sean McDonough assists in holding down the fort in the booth with Emily Kaplan rinkside.
Sunday, April 30 - Heat at Knicks game 1 (ABC, 1:00) - In the world’s most famous arena, play-by-play announcer Mark Jones moves up the list of the describers of the world’s most talented basketball players. He passes Cheryl Miller with his 445th national NBA telecast, joined by Doris Burke and Cassidy Hubbarth to complete a pass that started April 28.
Sunday, April 30 - Panthers at Bruins game 7 (CBC-SN, 6:30) - John Shorthouse calls his 203rd national game of play-by-play, passing Dick Irvin for 15th on the Canadian NHL list. Caroline Cameron serves as reporter with Greg Millen handling the color. This pass was initiated on April 28.
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice.
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