Kings Season is Underway

Tonight was the second home game for the LA Kings with the season opener happening this past Saturday. I didn't get the chance to blog about it with everything else going on this past weekend. However, it was a fun experience.

I never got to go to a season opener for any pro team, so it was cool to see the videos the team created and see all the players get introduced. Kings fans are very loyal from what I have seen so far and love their hockey. They are passionate, cheer loudly for their team, boo the other team, and know the game well. Very impressive for a southern city!


As for me, I have really enjoyed being in the radio booth for the games. Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans are two really great guys who are always pleasant, love to do their job, and do it well. They are also always in the mood to talk with me about the game and ask me constantly about what I'm up to. It's great to have people in the business that are interested in what you do! I also have had the chance to meet and talk with Bob Miller and Jim Fox, the Kings TV broadcasters, as well as some other great people that are part of and cover the Kings. All of them are great and very enjoyable to converse with.

Normally, I'll get to the game at about 4/4:30 for a 7:30 face-off. I'll go up to the broadcast booth and check in with our engineer, John Traconis, to see how things are going. I'll then usually head down with Nick to the locker room to watch him do some pregame interviews, and/or I'll help out getting equipment for the booths. Then, I'll have a great pregame meal prepared by the LA Kings dining staff and head back to the booth to get ready for the game.


During the game, I'll provide Nick and Daryl with out of town scores from around the NHL as well as keep track of some statistics in case they need confirmation on a goal, assist, penalty, or the time any of it occurred. It's great to be able to watch so much hockey live. The real benefit though is getting to listen to them call a game. It helps me on many levels. I get to increase my hockey knowledge and vocabulary. I learn the best way to call a hockey game and what to look for during a broadcast. Finally, I learn the order of a broadcast and how everything is put together. It really is useful information I get just from putting on a headset and listening to them broadcast the game.

I'll usually stay after the game as well to listen to their postgame show and their talk show in which fans can call into the show and ask them questions. It's a pretty cool thing they do and provides more content for me to observe. I couldn't have asked for a better internship opportunity and am glad Nick and the Kings have me the chance to do it. If only I could broadcast the games with them!