While we still don’t know who will be part of the Seattle Kraken’s roster, we now know who will get to announce their goals.
John Forslund will serve as TV play-by-play announcer on Root Sports when the team begins play next season, becoming the first TV play-by-play announcer in Seattle Kraken history.
The Kraken once again made history last summer when they hired then-Cincinnati Cyclones radio play-by-play announcer Everett Fitzhugh. Fitzhugh became the first Black team broadcaster in NHL history.
We all love Forslund, he who initially joined the Hartford Whalers back in 1991 as public relations director. He started calling games on TV in 1995 and followed the team when it relocated to become the Carolina Hurricanes. He continued calling games for the Canes until his contract expired just after last season. The announcement was made in July.
We all felt there were good chances Forslund would join the Kraken as its general manager Ron Francis is one of the most decorated Hurricanes/Whalers players of all time and served as Carolina’s GM from 2014-2019. They are finally reunited and fans are more than thrilled about it.
“It is an honor to join the Seattle Kraken as their inaugural television voice,” said Forslund in a statement. “I am looking forward to reuniting with Ron Francis and working alongside Everett Fitzhugh. Throughout my career I have cherished my connection with fans. To get the chance to create that bond and tell the Kraken story from day one is a magnificent opportunity.”
The 59-year-old has also called games nationally for NBC. He’s known for his catchphrases, “Hey, hey, whadda ya say!” and “That’s hockey, baby!”
And that’s what we want to say about this : “Hey, hey, whadda ya say!”
