From Bucky Gleason's Inside the NHL column,

A radio pioneer


Former New York Daily News hockey writer Sherry Ross made history last week when she handled radio play-by-play for the Devils' victory over the Senators, becoming the first American woman to call a full game.

Ross was one of the best in the biz when she left print in 2007 and returned to radio as a color commentator with the Devils. She switched chairs after play-by-play man Matt Laughlin took a leave following the death of his father-in-law. She made a seamless transition and sounded as if she had the job for a decade.

"It was an unbelievable amount of fun," she said by telephone. "I was on such an adrenaline high that, honestly, it took me about two hours after the game to come down. I don't know if it was like an athlete or what, but it was such a rush. You're right on top of the play, and everything is happening immediately. All of a sudden, the show's over."

French-speaking network RDS had an all-woman broadcast team call a game between New Jersey and Tampa Bay on March 8, 2008. It was the first NHL game in which the entire broadcast was performed by women. Ross already has heard from one woman who was interested in calling play-by-play.

"If I can inspire a couple of other women to think they can do this, why not?" she said. "It's certainly not a physical issue. You don't have to lift anything heavy. It's something a woman can do as well as a man if she's trained to do it."

for me the last paragraph is particularly disturbing...i think that is quite obvious....almost seems like she is one of those "if guys can do it then so can girls" mentality....

i am bringing this issue up b/c around a year ago i was flipping through the channels and i came across college hockey on ESPN......well they had a female doing play by play, and i thought "wow, this is bad"....i actually turned it off b/c i was comlpetely turned off by a female doing play by play for hockey....

i am not sure what is was but i think she some how took the "manliness" out of the game

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"It is more about them than it is about the team...Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win." - Mike Singletary

Tyler Myers - Future captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and future Norris Trophy Winner

Manning the machine gun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon - just in case any teams have an idea of prying him away from us (3 GM's shot already)

Connolly/Roy - 2 goals in the last 47 playoff games

mods feel free to move over to the NHL section....my bad

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"It is more about them than it is about the team...Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win." - Mike Singletary

Tyler Myers - Future captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and future Norris Trophy Winner

Manning the machine gun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon - just in case any teams have an idea of prying him away from us (3 GM's shot already)

Connolly/Roy - 2 goals in the last 47 playoff games

I couldn't care less if it's a man or a woman calling a hockey game, I just want the commentators to know the material inside and out and have the moxie necessary to make me feel like I'm at the game.

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mechaphil

I have to hear her first.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

God I hope not; the woman who does the Yankees sucks.............

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Also, I don't care if it's a man or a woman calling a hockey game, but if the voice itself is irritating, it's gonna go. Ala the Caps HORRIBLE announcing team.

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mechaphil

I have mixed feelings about it......like when women demanded to be part of post game locker room interviews. I havent heard a game announced by a female yet, but I suppose it is coming regardless of our thoughts. An issue would be the inevitable politically correct soccer mom spin.... "OMG, we have to get fighting out of the sport." or "We lost, but it is ok." or, "Lindy shouldnt yell at them, it is so rude and they are trying." I think the teeth grinding and get dirty grit would be missing, the passion and emotion. I'm not sure if a female could relate to the play at a players level: What it feels like to have your teeth knocked out and wipe the blood up and continue to play. Or how the pain raises adrenalin: what it feels like to have the fight or flight process take over. Roby or Rob Ray, Harry or RJ, they all grind their teeth to emphasize a point. I cant see this from a female. Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps its a moot point since it will happen anyway and we will have to adjust..........Just some thoughts.

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I try to think, but nuttin happens.......Curley Howard
There is no past as it exists merely as a slippery bond tying the memories of the past to the dreams of the future.............Me
If we started life as an old person and lived until we were young, we would eventually finish off fucked as an orgasm.......George Carlin

Tell that to Cammi Granato, Hayley Wickenheiser, and the rest of the ladies from Hockey Canada and USA Hockey. Christ.

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mechaphil

Chill Phil....just some thoughts I had

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I try to think, but nuttin happens.......Curley Howard
There is no past as it exists merely as a slippery bond tying the memories of the past to the dreams of the future.............Me
If we started life as an old person and lived until we were young, we would eventually finish off fucked as an orgasm.......George Carlin

I am chill, it's just that it's kind of flagrantly disrespectful to a ton of women out there who could call the game better than some of the asshats that are now, just due to the fact that they've been in the trenches.

Know who needs to never call a game? Kevin Sylvester. NEVER EVER AGAIN.

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mechaphil

My thoughts werent disrespectful in any way. And I agree with Kevin Sylvester never calling a game.

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I try to think, but nuttin happens.......Curley Howard
There is no past as it exists merely as a slippery bond tying the memories of the past to the dreams of the future.............Me
If we started life as an old person and lived until we were young, we would eventually finish off fucked as an orgasm.......George Carlin

Can anyone find a clip?

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Wheelhouse

it has nothing to do with sex to me. but the fact is, i feel men have better voices for calling sports then women. i wouldnt want a man on the line when i call for phone sex, would i?... not that i call for phone sex...just saying.

we have a lady who calls MSU football games... and shes downright terrible. bad voice, no enthusiasm, no real knowledge of the game.

so, i dont think im being sexist, i just prefere a mans voice to call a game. maybe its what im used to.

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I dont think it was disrespectful, He was just meerly stating his opinion, and I kinda half-heartedly agree... While there are women out there who could definatly do the job, we dont want the type of woman (No offense to any women intended) who would bring the femanin side to hockey. Dont get me wrong Women are great, I repsect them all. But he has a point about the fact the announcers COULD be like "Awww the coach shouldnt yell at them, they are trying" because to be honest, I really dont think anyone really wants to hear that... But I am in no way opposed to having women announcers.

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

Oh, right. My bad, everyone. Still, I maintain Kevin Sylvester should never, ever call another game

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mechaphil

I know. Even listening to Cassie Campbell on CBC interview the players is bad, it just doesn't sound right unless you are the women who interviews the players that does NESN is pretty good.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

if your a good announcer, than i dont care if your some chinese announcer

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PSA: I am an overly sarcastic person. If you take me at my word, then i will most likely anger and offend you.

I watch most every Yankee game. Since she jinxed Jeter earlier this year, she has a short leash on live TV. I hear that her YES network show is pretty good. Kim Jones.

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I try to think, but nuttin happens.......Curley Howard
There is no past as it exists merely as a slippery bond tying the memories of the past to the dreams of the future.............Me
If we started life as an old person and lived until we were young, we would eventually finish off fucked as an orgasm.......George Carlin

Stef....A beer and a shot for Phil.

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I try to think, but nuttin happens.......Curley Howard
There is no past as it exists merely as a slippery bond tying the memories of the past to the dreams of the future.............Me
If we started life as an old person and lived until we were young, we would eventually finish off fucked as an orgasm.......George Carlin

Honestly, the only women I do believe should call a game should be those with prior experience in the game itself. The sad thing is we'll never see Cammi Granato or Hayley Wickenheiser (when she's done) call games because they'll both be managing their respective teams.

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mechaphil