The summer has sped by and hockey season is rapidly descending on us. With that being said, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few thoughts about my transition in my broadcasting career. I expressed several thoughts about this on my podcast a few weeks back, but I also wanted to get my thoughts in written form. I considered the thought of taking out advertising space in the Lawrence-Eagle Tribune for this written project but due to the high costs I've chosen to do it this way. And I think it will reach a lot of people this way as well.
On August 24, I was hired to be the next radio play by play voice of UMass Lowell hockey, replacing Bob Ellis, who retired after 40 years with the River Hawks at the end of last season. I had received a phone call from UML in June, as they were gauging my interest in the position. I agreed to meet with them on July 2, and after a long period of introspection on both sides, I chose to accept the offer, ending my 19 year run at Merrimack College as their play by play announcer for men's and women's hockey. In this post, I'd like to share my deep appreciation and affinity for Merrimack College.
Leaving the site of where I got my start in Division 1 hockey was the most agonizing decision I've ever made in my professional career. Merrimack has been so good to me over the years, and I'm so grateful to everyone there. You all have touched my life in so many wonderful ways. We've grown together, we've gone through some hard times and we've gone through some pretty unbelievably fun times too. It has been an absolute joy to be your play by play announcer. People may have different opinions of my work there, but there is one thing I can tell you for sure- I gave 120% of myself every time I put that headset on. I wanted you all to experience the excitement of the greatest game in the world through my passion for the sport, the sport I've loved all my life. The sport I've been around since age 5. And, the sport that I've wanted to broadcast all my life, starting with my practice of turning down the volume on my small gray black and white television at age 6 in 1970 and pretending to be the television play by play voice of the Boston Bruins, Fred Cusick. I knew I wasn't going to be a professional athlete, in spite of my athletic games I loved to play with my neighborhood friends growing up on Howland Road in Stoughton. But I damn well knew I'd be broadcasting it. It's in my blood, and it all got started because of you. Merrimack.
Who to thank- a monumental task. I'll start by acknowledging my love for you, WARRIOR NATION. You are among the most passionate devoted fanbase of any team in college sports. The nights I'd be at Lawler Rink and hear and see you in full voice made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. You are devoted, passionate, and incredibly loyal. I love that you made me feel right at home all these years. The times we've talked and shot the breeze about hockey was very gratifying. I love you all- no matter what way you came to follow Merrimack hockey- whether you were a parent, an alum, a student, an employee, or a player there- you are all very special to me and you always will be. I'll cherish the memories, the stories, and your friendship forever. I hope I meant as much to you as you did to me.
Thanks to my partner in crime, Mike Machnik, who was by my side for every game. If there's a person who knows more about college hockey than Mike, that person would be hard to find. Mike's knowledge, his preparation, and his enthusiasm for the game always helped me to elevate my game. I knew that every time we went on to do a broadcast, our audience would be entertained and informed. We had really good chemistry together, and I think we did pretty well together in our time there. I was so happy to see Mike get rewarded with the Concannon Media Award the year he won it. Very deserving. And he will continue to carry on the great responsibility of bringing you the game as only he can. Be very glad, Warrior Nation, you are in GREAT hands.
Mike McMahon is an unbelievable success story, and I need to thank him as well. When I started in 2005, Mike was a student at Merrimack, a senior. I saw him when he was just starting out. I knew immediately he had a great passion for the game. Fast forward almost two decades later, and Mike is the #1 authority for college hockey reporting. There are many great journalists out there- including everyone who works at CHN- but in my biased opinion nobody does it better than Mike. Mike has blossomed into simply the best college hockey journalist in the country today, and probably the world. Mike 's work is a staple of my preparation and I'm glad to say that will continue. I will miss seeing him and listening to his wisdom whenever I see him. I've said this to Mike many times- it has been fascinating to see his career grow. And I've seen it from Day 1. Again, Warrior nation, you are blessed to have Mike's coverage.
Ian Beauchesne is a rising star. I was so happy to see him becoming involved with Merrimack hockey, and he is such a passionate, entertaining fellow. Ian is amazing at what he does- his love for the sport and his love for Merrimack make him the perfect fit as the PA voice of Lawler Arena. He has been a contributor to my podcast several times, and will continue to do so in the future. Ian is becoming very well respected as a journalist in his own right, and he was and is a very vital part of the experience at Merrimack. I am honored to call him a friend and a colleague. I will miss hearing his voice at Lawler, but am certainly looking forward to coming back as a visitor and hearing him do what he does best. Thanks Ian.
Much thanks to the administration there, Jeremy Gibson and Ciaran Cullen, who gave me the chance to be me. I'm indebted to Jeremy for giving me the opportunity to do TV work- something I coveted for a long time. I loved every second of it. Ciaran is a great person who again supported us unbelievably well, and just let us be us. He was always by our side with everything, and I will miss him. Dr. Richard Hopey did and will continue to do great things for the college. There's never been any doubt about his commitment to make the Merrimack experience the best it can always be. Merrimack students should be excited to have these fine men guiding their path during their education and athletic careers there.
A big thank you to the head coaches, Scott Borek and Erin Hamlen. Two of the finest people I've ever worked with. Two individuals who are as passionate as they come. Both Scott and Erin treated me and us very well, and it was a pleasure to be associated with both of them. I will be following the Warriors and will root for their success. Both hockey programs deserve it. And also great thanks to Mark Dennehy for the first thirteen years. A consummate pro, he is now enjoying success with the New Jersey Devils organization. He deserves that success, and I'm happy for him. And to all the assistant coaches, Chris Ross, Jimmy Mullen, and Stephanie Wood, I will miss you all as well. You are great friends and are very good at what you do. And Chris, I'm not letting you off the hook. We WILL play a song together at some point.
Also great thanks to our incredible Pack Network crew, K.J. Cardinal, Jared Fieldsend, and Tom Casanova. You guys may be behind the scenes, but we couldn't pull off the TV broadcasts without you. Such great, professional people. Be proud of the work you have done and will continue to do. You are among the very best at your craft. You are and always will be appreciated.
I'd also like to thank Brock Hines. One of my best friends in this business, Brock did the radio and TV at UMass for 29 years. When he left the Minutemen, he became the most coveted, sought after free agent in Hockey East. Thankfully, I was aggressive in convincing him to come to North Andover to help me cover women's games. I know he loved being there as much as I loved having him. One of the worst parts of this decision was not being able to do games with Brock anymore. He means a whole lot to me, and I hope you, Warrior Nation, saw the passion and love he had for the game. He has indicated to me he's excited to follow Merrimack women's hockey going forward. He'll have a vested interest in those games, Brock, thank you for everything.
I'm sure there are so many others to thank, and if I've omitted anyone it is not intentional. If you were a part of Merrimack hockey in my time there, I noticed you, I recognized you, and believe me, you were special.
I'll only be about ten miles away this winter. I'll be keeping an eye on the Warriors and pulling for your success. I'm excited to come back to Lawler on October 26th with the River Hawks. Please come by and say hello if you are there. Know that you will always have a piece of my heart. Thank you Merrimack, for your love, your support, and your friendship. It has been a sincere pleasure.
