Blackhawks issue statement on their new broadcaster after major firing

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Joshua Deeds
July 31, 2024 (7:28 PM)

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This offseason the Blackhawks replaced former announcer Chris Vosters with veteran broadcaster Rick Ball.

Ball had recently spent 2014-2024, with the Calgary Flames as he had spent 2011-2013, as a broadcaster for Hockey Night in Canada, and Western Lead Announcer for Hockey Night in Canada.

Prior to Hockey Night in Canada and being the main voice of the Calgary Flames, he was also the voice of the Vancouver Canucks on Radio for Team 1040 from 2008-2013/2014.

He has had a storied career as a broadcast, dating back to 1995-2000 he started in the WHL as the announcer for the Kelowna Rockets. Following up with a spot filling in for Jim Hughson for the Vancouver Canucks on VTV from 2000-2001.

And prior to returning to the Canucks in 2008, in 2004 he called Football games for the BC Lions in the CFL.

You can see Rick Ball's veteran credentials on display, as someone who mainly called professional hockey games for most of his career.

We're getting a real one folks.

«I was in the last year of my contract in Calgary. I worked for the network in Canada, not with the team. They wanted me back, and I was looking forward to signing a new deal, and the Hawks reached out. It happened really quick after that. It was basically a week, and there was an offer on the tableThe last month has been chaotic � as you could imagine � but very exciting,» the announcer noted.

The thing Ball is most excited about, however, is sharing a broadcast booth with Darren Pang.

«When I went to Calgary 10 years ago, a very attractive component to that whole opportunity was working with Kelly Hrudey, and the same applies to Darren Pang. He's one of the best in the business and a great guy on top of itI can't wait to get started with him, either,» he said.

Source: Awful Announcing
Rick Ball discusses joining Chicago Blackhawks broadcast booth