Sirott, the Bruins’ radio play-by-play announcer for the last seven seasons, succeeds Edwards, who retired after 19 seasons.
The Bruins’ broadcast booth will undergo a significant change in the autumn, but familiarity should ease the transition.
After Jack Edwards ended his historic 19-year reign behind the microphone this spring, NESN announced Judd Sirott as his successor on Thursday. Sirott, a Chicago native, has been the Bruins’ radio play-by-play announcer for 98.5 The Sports Hub for the past seven seasons. He will join long-time commentator Andy Brickley in the booth.
“This job is unrivalled around the National Hockey League,” Sirott told reporters. “It is not just an Original Six team, but also the oldest American franchise in the National Hockey League. There is no more prosperous hockey market in the country than this one in New England. And I
Think beyond that; this is such a unique city and place. Our family has been really lucky to live here for the past several years.”
While Sirott grew up in Chicago and began writing letters to legendary Blackhawks announcers Pat Foley and Mike “Doc” Emrick as a child to get his foot in the door, he is well-versed in Bruins history, mentioning Fred Cusick and other Boston announcing legends like Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti a few times each.
His career began as a University of Michigan student, announcing Wolverine games. He subsequently spent a few years calling the now-defunct University of Illinois-Chicago games before moving to work for the Chicago Wolves, then in the International Hockey League.
Think beyond that; this is such a unique city and place. Our family has been really lucky to live here for the past several years.”
While Sirott grew up in Chicago and began writing letters to legendary Blackhawks announcers Pat Foley and Mike “Doc” Emrick as a child to get his foot in the door, he is well-versed in Bruins history, mentioning Fred Cusick and other Boston announcing legends like Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti a few times each.
His career began as a University of Michigan student, announcing Wolverine games. He subsequently spent a few years calling the now-defunct University of Illinois-Chicago games before moving to work for the Chicago Wolves, then in the International Hockey League.
League. That is where he met his former partner, Bob Beers, and new partner, Brickley, both of whom played for the Utah Grizzlies at the time. He also covered national games for HDnet and spent nine years with the Blackhawks and Cubs before landing the job covering Bruins games.
Sirott, who auditioned in June, admitted that transitioning from radio to television requires some adjustment. Sirott works the locker room like a good reporter during morning skates and has a wealth of knowledge about the game and its characters, which should help him make the move to television.
“The craft is different. Beersie and I on radio had to paint a picture. That was the job. Now, we have the
picture, so how can we add to it and make that broadcast sing?” said Sirott.
While Sirott covered one vacancy by taking over the TV position, there is a play-by-play opening at 98.5. Ryan Johnston, who has presented The Hockey Show on the station’s Saturday mornings during hockey season for several seasons, could be a candidate.
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