VGK Broadcast Ranked Third In The League by The Athletic
Since the 2017-18 inaugural season, the Vegas Golden Knights television broadcast has been held in high esteem by local fans. Three years later, The Athletic has ranked the VGK broadcast as the third best in the league thanks to input from fans all over the country.
According to the survey, “The success of the expansion Golden Knights stretches to the broadcast, which out of the box is one of the finest regional productions in the NHL.”
At the helm of the broadcast is TV play-by-play analyst Dave Goucher and color analyst Shane Hnidy. Both received top marks not only for their work with the Golden Knights, but from fans who miss their commentary in the markets they previously worked in.
One of the respondents noted how the pair has been able to teach Vegas about hockey while simultaneously calling the game. “Dave and Shane started Year 1 by catering to new fans. They clarified rules and explained things like line changes,” said the commenter. “As time has gone on, they’ve done a masterful job of evolving their commentary as the fan base has become more educated. Their role is fostering our fandom should not be understated.”
Host Daren Millard and analyst Mike McKenna were also credited for the work they’ve done to improve the broadcast since the start of the 2019-20 season. Millard’s 20 years of experience in broadcast television has undoubtedly helped him quickly gain the trust of the Las Vegas market at his new gig, while McKenna’s experience as a newly retired NHL goalie has allowed him to provide a unique perspective on VGK games.
About McKenna, one commenter said, “His style is fantastic, excellent job speaking to the audience (facing camera for direct eye contact), knows what he’s talking about and often includes hilarious anecdotes. His perspective is so refreshing because he knows the players, systems, and different teams as they are currently, not 20-plus years ago when the broadcaster was in the league. We need these newer retirees because they know the current game and system.”
While this survey focused primarily on the work of play-by-play analysts, color analysts and hosts, there are multiple essential individuals to the VGK broadcast whose work should not be glossed over. Rinkside reporter
Stormy Buonantony has established strong relationships with fans and players alike in her short tenure with VGK, making for always entertaining pregame and intermission interviews. VGK Insider Gary Lawless’ intermission segment, Lawless and Order, is a broadcast staple that fans love. There’s no better place to get information about what’s happening around the NHL from a guy who knows the league like the back of his hand. And Analyst Darren Eliot, a former NHL goalie himself, offers always insightful analysis about the game from someone who has spent his whole life in the hockey world.
Click here to read the full report from The Athletic.
