By Tim Ubels (Contributor)– Email
Print Edition: September 25, 2013
Some of my fondest memories as a sports fan have come not while I was attending a sporting event in person, but rather while sitting in a car listening to a radio broadcast or lounging on my couch watching a game on television. The main reason for this is the electrifying way a broadcaster can make you feel like you’re actually at the game, even if in reality you’re driving east down the Trans-Canada Highway after an evening class. This summer Brandon Astle, former play-by-play broadcaster for the Langley Rivermen, landed his first professional hockey league position as announcer for the Abbotsford Heat in the upcoming season. I recently spoke to Astle about becoming the voice of a professional hockey league team.
You must be thrilled to land the position of play-by-play commentator for the Abbotsford Heat. How does it feel?
It is an unbelievable feeling to say the least. Having a chance to join a great franchise like the Abbotsford Heat and call games at the professional level is a dream come true. Not many people get the opportunity to still live at home and continue to work in the Fraser Valley, so I am thankful for that and how everything worked out.
How did you get into broadcasting?
Broadcasting is a line of work I have been interested in since a young age. I remember growing up and listening to Canucks games and saying that I want to be the next Jim Robson. At around 10 years old I started commentating street hockey games with neighbours in my cul-de-sac and they really would get a chuckle at some of the things I would say and it just took off from there.
What was your first play-by-play gig?
My first play-by-play gig was with the Coquitlam Adanacs Junior B lacrosse team. It was during the 2007-2008 season and it was set up by my broadcasting school (Columbia Academy) … It was only the home games that I did and it was streamed live on their website. It was not the best lacrosse in the world, but it was nice to get my feet wet a bit.
How would you describe your broadcasting style?
I would like to think my broadcast style is entertaining. When I work a game, I want the fans to feel like they are inside the building watching the action. Hockey is a fun game and I want everyone who listens to my broadcasts to be on the edge of their seats.
How much preparation goes into each game and how much work do you have to do on the fly?
A lot of preparation goes into every game. It is all about credibility in this business and you have to know what you are talking about or people won’t take you seriously. A lot of time and work goes into knowing all sorts of stats on players and their teams and that does not entail just sitting at a computer looking things up all day before the puck drops. You have to be proactive and take the time to watch practices, morning skates, talk to players and coaches, etc. As for remembering names, I will be the first to tell you my memory is not the greatest, but for some reason when I see a player play one shift, I will remember them instantaneously when they are out on the ice.
Do you have any favourite broadcasters?
Jim Robson was a guy I grew up listening to and is a big reason why I wanted to get into broadcasting. John Shorthouse, Jim Hughson, and Rick Ball are other guys I look up to and try to model myself after as well, but my all-time favourite has got to be Bob Cole. He may be long in the tooth, but he is very entertaining to listen to and has the uncanny ability to bring every fan out of their seats and [make] you shout at the television in excitement. There will only be one Bob Cole, and I know his days on CBC might be numbered, but I hope he gets at least a few games next season.
What’s the most difficult aspect of your job?
The most difficult aspect of my job is not saying the same thing too often, which makes for a stale broadcast. Hockey fans are smart and they know when you repeat the same thing over and over. Coming up with other ways to say things can be a challenge sometimes, but re-listening to broadcasts after games and taking notes helps a lot.
When you attend sporting events in your free time, do you find yourself still calling play-by-play?
Honestly, I don’t really do that anymore. When I was younger I would kind of do it in my head to get the hang of it and see where I was at, but when I attend a game I am just like any other fan inside the venue and just want to enjoy the event. From time to time friends or family say, “Brandon, start doing the play-by-play,” which I decline to do 100 per cent of the time.
How do you see the season shaking out for the Heat?
That is the unknown right now and even the coaches will tell you that. We do know that the team is going to be very young and you will see only a few veterans. I think it will make for exciting hockey because with young players these days it seems like most of them are very skilled, which makes for an exciting brand of hockey. They will take more chances and we will see a lot more mistakes than usual, but with the young core that we are going to have, it is the only way they will learn the pro game.
Are there any match-ups you’re especially looking forward to calling this season?
Definitely the Utica games. We will play them six times at home and another six on the road. The Canucks affiliate always draws a big crowd to the AESC and that makes for a great atmosphere and those are the best games to call. Plus one of my childhood friends Zach Hamill signed with the Canucks this summer and if he doesn’t make the big club, he will be in Utica. Calling his name during a game will be a special feeling.
You can hear Brandon call Heat games this year on your local campus radio station, CIVL Radio, 101.7 on your FM dial. The home opener is set for October 11 at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre.
