MizzouRah
05-06-2004, 04:59 PM
This sucks. Ken Wilson, my favorite broadcaster is gone after 20 years. Arrghh!! He will be missed by this Blues fan. :(
John Kelly Joins FSN Midwest As New Television Voice Of Blues
<TABLE cellPadding=1 width="21%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">http://www.stlblues.com/images/misc/John-Kelly-Photo.gif</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
ST. LOUIS, May 6, 2004 -- Fox Sports Net Midwest (FSN) and the St. Louis Blues today welcomed John Kelly as the new play-by-play voice of Blues games televised by FSN and KPLR WB 11.
Kelly, who has called Colorado Avalanche games on television for all nine seasons the team has been located in Denver, signed a multi-year agreement today and will return to the Blues television microphone for the start of the 2004-2005 season. Kelly replaces Ken Wilson, whose contract was not renewed.
Today's announcement marks a homecoming for Kelly, a native St. Louisan and the son of the late Dan Kelly, the legendary Blues broadcaster who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989. His wife, Jennifer, is also from St. Louis, where the Kellys will return this summer with children Patrick (8), Megan (7) and Grace (2).
"I've had nine wonderful years in Colorado calling games for the Avalanche and Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain, but a chance to move to my hometown and to be close to our family was the number one factor in deciding to go back to St. Louis," said Kelly. "In addition, it's a wonderful chance to remain in the Fox Sports family and return to the St. Louis Blues, a team that I grew up admiring as their number one fan and that has been close to the Kelly family for 37 years."
Following several seasons calling radio games in the American Hockey League and one season as the radio voice of the New York Rangers, Kelly worked the Blues' radio and television simulcasts for three seasons, 1989-1990 through 1991-1992. From there, Kelly joined the expansion Tampa Bay Lightning, describing the action on the Lightning's radio/television simulcasts for three seasons. Kelly then moved to Colorado in 1995 when the Quebec Nordiques relocated in 1995 to Denver, where he has been a member of the FSN Rocky Mountain family since.
"We appreciate Ken Wilson's tremendous contributions to Blues telecasts. We enjoyed working with Ken and wish him the best," said Jack Donovan, FSN vice president and general manager. "We're excited to welcome John, who is well-liked by fans and one of the top play-by-play announcers in hockey. John brings the Kelly tradition back to Blues hockey, and with him aboard we will continue to deliver outstanding Blues coverage to hockey fans throughout the region."
In his new role calling Blues games on FSN, Kelly will team with analyst and Hockey Hall of Fame center Bernie Federko and reporter/pre-game host Dan McLaughlin. FSN produces 65 Blues telecasts per season, with 40 airing on FSN and 25 on WB 11. FSN also provides in-depth coverage of the team on the Midwest Sports Report and on the Blues Face-Off pregame show.
"On behalf of our organization, I sincerely thank Ken Wilson for his many years in the Blues radio and television booth," said Jim Woodcock, the Blues' senior vice president of marketing and communications. "Many great Blues moments occurred with Ken behind the microphone, and his calls will always be part of our memories.
"In welcoming John Kelly home to St. Louis, we welcome one of the NHL's most talented play-by-play announcers as well as someone who has a sincere love for the Blues and our community. John consistently delivers energy, insight, color and drama with each game, making each telecast compelling and entertaining for viewers. With John teamed with Bernie Federko, we feel the best television team in the league will be here in St. Louis."
FSN, which will enter its 10th season this fall as the television home of the Blues, reaches more than 4.2 million cable and satellite homes in six Midwestern states. Nationally, FSN's 20 regional sports channels are home to 20 of the 24 U.S.-based NHL teams.
The Blues will return on radio to KTRS for their fifth season on The Big 550, with Chris Kerber and Kelly Chase back on play-by-play and color commentary, respectively.
John Kelly Joins FSN Midwest As New Television Voice Of Blues
<TABLE cellPadding=1 width="21%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">http://www.stlblues.com/images/misc/John-Kelly-Photo.gif</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
ST. LOUIS, May 6, 2004 -- Fox Sports Net Midwest (FSN) and the St. Louis Blues today welcomed John Kelly as the new play-by-play voice of Blues games televised by FSN and KPLR WB 11.
Kelly, who has called Colorado Avalanche games on television for all nine seasons the team has been located in Denver, signed a multi-year agreement today and will return to the Blues television microphone for the start of the 2004-2005 season. Kelly replaces Ken Wilson, whose contract was not renewed.
Today's announcement marks a homecoming for Kelly, a native St. Louisan and the son of the late Dan Kelly, the legendary Blues broadcaster who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989. His wife, Jennifer, is also from St. Louis, where the Kellys will return this summer with children Patrick (8), Megan (7) and Grace (2).
"I've had nine wonderful years in Colorado calling games for the Avalanche and Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain, but a chance to move to my hometown and to be close to our family was the number one factor in deciding to go back to St. Louis," said Kelly. "In addition, it's a wonderful chance to remain in the Fox Sports family and return to the St. Louis Blues, a team that I grew up admiring as their number one fan and that has been close to the Kelly family for 37 years."
Following several seasons calling radio games in the American Hockey League and one season as the radio voice of the New York Rangers, Kelly worked the Blues' radio and television simulcasts for three seasons, 1989-1990 through 1991-1992. From there, Kelly joined the expansion Tampa Bay Lightning, describing the action on the Lightning's radio/television simulcasts for three seasons. Kelly then moved to Colorado in 1995 when the Quebec Nordiques relocated in 1995 to Denver, where he has been a member of the FSN Rocky Mountain family since.
"We appreciate Ken Wilson's tremendous contributions to Blues telecasts. We enjoyed working with Ken and wish him the best," said Jack Donovan, FSN vice president and general manager. "We're excited to welcome John, who is well-liked by fans and one of the top play-by-play announcers in hockey. John brings the Kelly tradition back to Blues hockey, and with him aboard we will continue to deliver outstanding Blues coverage to hockey fans throughout the region."
In his new role calling Blues games on FSN, Kelly will team with analyst and Hockey Hall of Fame center Bernie Federko and reporter/pre-game host Dan McLaughlin. FSN produces 65 Blues telecasts per season, with 40 airing on FSN and 25 on WB 11. FSN also provides in-depth coverage of the team on the Midwest Sports Report and on the Blues Face-Off pregame show.
"On behalf of our organization, I sincerely thank Ken Wilson for his many years in the Blues radio and television booth," said Jim Woodcock, the Blues' senior vice president of marketing and communications. "Many great Blues moments occurred with Ken behind the microphone, and his calls will always be part of our memories.
"In welcoming John Kelly home to St. Louis, we welcome one of the NHL's most talented play-by-play announcers as well as someone who has a sincere love for the Blues and our community. John consistently delivers energy, insight, color and drama with each game, making each telecast compelling and entertaining for viewers. With John teamed with Bernie Federko, we feel the best television team in the league will be here in St. Louis."
FSN, which will enter its 10th season this fall as the television home of the Blues, reaches more than 4.2 million cable and satellite homes in six Midwestern states. Nationally, FSN's 20 regional sports channels are home to 20 of the 24 U.S.-based NHL teams.
The Blues will return on radio to KTRS for their fifth season on The Big 550, with Chris Kerber and Kelly Chase back on play-by-play and color commentary, respectively.