Thank you, Pat Foley! Passing the Mic Torch - Foley to Vosters; Plus Foley Call Compilation Video

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Stef
April 4, 2022 (2:24 PM)

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Just as it's never easy to watch players get traded, die hard fans never want to let of any member of their team, especially when they've been there for 39 years. With his last game coming up on April 14th, Pat Foley will have been the «Voice of the Blackhawks» since 1980, taking only a short sabbatical from 2006-2008. He has called 4 Stanley Cups and 12 Conference Finals. So, how do you replace a Chicagoland and Hockey Hall of Famer? You don't.
Chris Vosters will be the first one to tell you he's not here to replace Pat Foley. No one can do that. No one should do that. First and foremost, Vosters is a sports fan, and has complete understanding of fan favorite play-by-play announcers. In an interview with

The Athletic's Scott Powers, he mentioned his own favorite baseball broadcaster, Bob Uecker of the Milwaukee Brewers, and how he wouldn't want to hear anyone else call those games. So, he gets it, which I think is a very important part of this process. It's hard enough for sports fans to adapt to change, unless it's warranted. But when it's taking away someone you love, the next man up better not even think he could be anything like «our guy». That's the mentality, and being an active presence on social media allows Chris to see that, firsthand.

Having a Twitter, Tiktok, or Instagram accounts can come in very handy when involved with sports. They're a great way to keep up with your favorite teams, and keep track of any new information as it comes in. Chris Vosters has all three. Mix that with the fact that he's only 30, and I think you have a great pathway to a potential new fanbase. Fans can see with their own eyes how much he loves his job, his team, his city. He knows how to have fun while still making the ever-important calls.

Personally, I started following his social media after the first game I heard him call, during his «audition period» with the Blackhawks. And I was genuinely impressed with the range of his broadcast coverage which includes not only college and professional sports, but the Winter Olympics, as well.
Chris Vosters doesn't want to replace Pat Foley, and he won't. All he wants is to live his dream and do justice to the sports, the fans, and the position. With those goals in mind, I don't see anything but success for him.