Former Bowling Green State University hockey announcer Everett Fitzhugh has been hired by the Seattle Kraken, the NHL's expansion team, as its play-by-play man.
Fitzhugh has been the announcer and director of broadcasting for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL for the past five years.
Fitzhugh, 31, becomes the first full-time black team broadcaster in the history of the NHL.
“Reaching the NHL has been my goal, and to be able to come in on the ground floor with an expansion NHL team like the Seattle Kraken is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am excited and ready for,” Fitzhugh said in a press release.
Congratulations to @bgrso @bgsu @BGFalconHockey alumnus Everett Fitzhugh (@TheVoiceFitz) on today's announcement by @NHLSeattle_! #AyZiggy https://t.co/KtW8qT2KVR pic.twitter.com/sCaZZ84qla
— BGSU Athletics (@BGathletics) August 7, 2020
A Detroit native, Fitzhugh called more than 120 hockey games for the BGSU hockey program.
After graduating from Bowling Green in 2011, Fitzhugh worked for two seasons in the United States Hockey League. He served as manager of communications for the USHL from 2012-14. He then was the director of media relations/broadcasting for the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms in 2014-15.
In June of 2015, Fitzhugh took over as the director of broadcasting and public relations for the Cyclones. He was selected to be part of the ECHL's All-Star Classic broadcast crew in 2018.
In 2017, Fitzhugh was honored by his peers and media members when he earned the ECHL's Award of Excellence in Media Relations.
The NHL said in a press release that Fitzhugh will become the NHL's first black full-time team play-by-play announcer when the league's 32nd team begins play in the 2021-22 season.
Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said Fitzhugh has established himself as a unique and leading voice for hockey.
“He's going to bring a tremendous energy and talent to our broadcast and content team, and we can't wait for our fans to get to know him,” Leiweke said.
The NHL has seen a growth in black broadcasters over the years nationally, with Kevin Weekes and Anson Carter as TV analysts on NHL Network and NBC Sports. Mike Tirico occasionally calls NHL games on NBC, as did John Saunders, the ESPN/ABC Sports broadcaster who died Aug. 10, 2016.
“Getting to the NHL has always been my goal. I look forward to serving as the voice for this incredible team and its fans, as well as representing the Kraken organization throughout the greater Seattle community,” Fitzhugh said.
First Published August 7, 2020, 9:57 p.m.
