John Forslund is an American sports announcer who is the television play-by-play announcer of the Seattle Kraken. He had previously filled the same role for the Carolina Hurricanes and was with the team since 1991 (when the team was the Hartford Whalers) and called games from 1995 to 2020.
John Forslund | |
|---|---|
 Forslund in February 2012 | |
| Born | February 14, 1962 |
| Education | BA, Springfield College MA, Athletic Management, Adelphi University |
| Occupation | Broadcaster |
| Spouse | Natalie |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
editJohn was born on February 14, 1962, and grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, Forslund decided at an early age that he wanted to be a hockey play-by-play announcer. “I started doing the games off the television, from age 12 to 17,” he says. “My dad was my color man. We would turn the sound down and we would do any game that came on. His friends would come over and watch the Bruins play at night, and little Johnny would sit on the floor and call the game.”[1] Forslund attended Cathedral High School before enrolling at Springfield College. Following this, Forslund earned his master's degree in athletic management from Adelphi University.[2]
Career
editAfter graduating, Forslund handled the television and radio broadcasts for the American Hockey League's Springfield Indians from 1984 until 1991. In 1989, he won the Ken McKenzie Award, an award given to the AHL's top publicist and/or announcer. Following this, he joined the Hartford Whalers organization in 1991 as public relations director.[3] In 1995, he replaced Rick Peckham on the Whalers television broadcasts, then on SportsChannel New England. Forslund served as the radio analyst alongside Chuck Kaiton during non-televised games.[2] When Peter Karmanos Jr. moved the Whalers to Carolina in 1997, Forslund said the team's final game was very emotional. "It was a very emotional game and everyone was in tears from the camera man to the producer. The final game, which didn't have any playoff implications, was played against the Tampa Bay Lightning....For a game that is meaningless, this means everything!"[4]
During his time with the Hurricanes, Forslund served as a play-by-play announcer for ESPN National Hockey Night, NHL on Versus, NBCSN, NBC Sports, and has called ACC and SEC basketball for Fox Sports Net. On June 27, 2002, Ken Lehner announced that Forslund signed a two-year contract extension with the Hurricanes to remain as their television play-by-play broadcaster.[5] As a result of his broadcasting achievements, Forslund was the recipient of the 2018 and 2019 North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.[6][7]
Forslund's contract with the Hurricanes expired at the end of the 2020 regular season and was unresolved at the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs qualifying round.[8] As a result, Forslund called games for NBC Sports in the Toronto hub through the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. On January 26, 2021, Forslund announced he had accepted the job as television play-by-play broadcaster on Root Sports Northwest for the Seattle Kraken ahead of their inaugural NHL season in fall 2021.[9] Forslund joined the NHL on TNT crew as an occasional play by play broadcaster in 2022.
In April 2024, Canadian NHL broadcast rightsholder Rogers Communications announced that it had struck a deal to shift a portion of its rights – specifically the Monday night games played in Canada – from its own NHL on Sportsnet broadcast to Amazon Prime Video for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 regular seasons.[10] In September, it was announced that Forslund would be the play-by-play announcer for Prime Monday Night Hockey,[11] which launched with a game in Montreal on October 14, 2024.[12]
Personal life
editForslund and his wife Natalie have three children together, two daughters and one son.[6] His son Matthew plays ice hockey with Brad McCrimmon's son, who worked with Forslund as a Springfield Indians announcer.[13]
References
edit- ^ Dusterberg, Kurt. "Carolina Hurricanes broadcaster John Forslund has a way with a phrase—and a high-profile voice—in today's NHL". Cary Living. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
- ^ a b Shea, Jim (March 3, 1995). "FORSLUND PROVIDES SOUND BACKGROUND". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "Forslund Named N.C. Sportscaster of the Year". nhl.com. National Hockey League. January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "Hockey Announcer John Forslund 'Just Living the Dream'". sportscasterlife.com. May 23, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "HURRICANES SIGN BROADCASTER JOHN FORSLUND TO A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION". nhl.com. National Hockey League. June 27, 2002. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ a b Alexander, Chip (January 24, 2020). "'That's hockey, baby!' Canes broadcaster John Forslund keeps fans educated, entertained". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Alexander, Chip (January 14, 2020). "Canes' John Forslund shares award as NC sportscaster of year". News and Observer. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Armstrong, Mark (September 25, 2020). "'I'll never get over this': John Forslund on life after Canes". abc11.com. WTVD. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Clark, Ryan S. (January 29, 2021). "Seattle Kraken's John Forslund sees 'truly special' play-by-play chance". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "Rogers announces deal to move Monday night NHL games to streaming". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. April 23, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Tovell, Jonathan (September 23, 2024). "Prime Video Unveils On-Air Talent For NHL Broadcasts, Trailer for Star-Studded Docuseries". The Hockey News. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Strong, Gregory (October 11, 2024). "Prime Monday Night Hockey job a homecoming for Canadian broadcaster Adnan Virk". The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Former Springfield Indians announcer remembers Brad McCrimmon". masslive.com. March 25, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2021.