With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Seattle Kraken broadcasting duo makes NHL history as first all-Black TV crew
Listen
• 2:04
LEILA FADEL, HOST:
The Seattle Kraken hockey team made NHL history with its TV broadcast crew last night. Announcers Everett Fitzhugh and JT Brown called the Kraken's game against the Winnipeg Jets as the league's first all-Black play-by-play team.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
EVERETT FITZHUGH: Finds a lane, shoots. He scores. Marcus Johansson.
Support for LAist comes from
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
JT Brown is new to broadcasting as the Kraken's new TV color commentator. He's making the transition after playing seven seasons in the NHL, most of them for the Tampa Bay Lightning as one of the few Black players in the league. Here he is making a big play against the Anaheim Ducks back in 2017.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: ...The puck around, shoots, scores. JT Brown.
MARTÍNEZ: Everett Fitzhugh normally does the radio play-by-play for the Kraken. He's the first Black play-by-play announcer in NHL history. And last night, he filled in for the regular TV announcer. Fitzhugh says he and Brown make a unique duo.
FITZHUGH: We've learned from each other. You know, how often do you get to talk to a former NHLer on a daily basis?
FADEL: Brown says he formed a friendship with Fitzhugh during the offseason. They called mock games together to help Brown prepare for his new gig.
Support for LAist comes from
JT BROWN: For us to be able to practice, it was good for me. And I think it was also good for Everett to see the TV side 'cause we knew at some point, this may happen.
FADEL: Still, less than 5% of NHL players are black. Brown says the league is taking the right steps to make hockey more inclusive. But barriers remain between them and the student athletes they need to scout.
BROWN: One of them is location, access to ice, how much it costs to enter this game. It's more expensive than the majority of the other sports of what you need to play and to practice.
MARTÍNEZ: While the NHL works through these roadblocks, Fitzhugh says last night's broadcast sent a message to the sports world.
FITZHUGH: It's OK to be Black. It's OK to be a member of a historically underrepresented community and want to be involved in the game of hockey.
(SOUNDBITE OF ANIMAL ZOUNDS' "COME TAKE A RIDE") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
Best of LAist