John Wiedeman

John Wiedeman is an American broadcaster who is the radio play-by-play announcer for the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks.

Early life and career

Wiedeman grew up in Kansas City, Missouri.[1] He worked for his family's plumbing parts supply company until 1988. Wiedeman attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1989. He decided to pursue a career in broadcasting at the age of 31.[2] Wiedeman moved to Chicago in 1992 where he hoped to find work as a sports broadcaster. He was a bartender at a comedy club in Mount Prospect, Illinois and also served as an unpaid reporter for WCSJ in Morris, Illinois to cover Chicago Blackhawks games.[3][4]

Broadcasting career

Wiedeman served as the radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster for the Muskegon Fury (1992–1994), Worcester IceCats (1994–1996), and Cincinnati Cyclones (1997–2001).[5] He worked his way to the National Hockey League (NHL), where he served as the radio and substitute TV play-by-play commentator for the Philadelphia Flyers (1996), Tampa Bay Lightning (1997), Columbus Blue Jackets (2001), and New York Islanders (2001–2006).[6] He joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 2006 and served as the team's radio play-by-play commentator.[6][7] Wiedeman provided commentary for the Blackhawks alongside Troy Murray on the radio, including three Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, 2013 and 2015.[6]

In 2021, the Blackhawks announced Pat Foley would retire as the team's TV play-by-play commentator after the season. Wiedeman, along with other announcers, "auditioned" to succeed Foley throughout the 2021–22 NHL season.[8] In April 2022, the Blackhawks announced that Wiedeman would retain his role team's lead radio play-by-play announcer, but not on TV for the 2022–23 NHL season.[9][10]

Awards and honors

John has been awarded the following honors by the Illinois Broadcasters Association:[5]

  • 2014 Best Play by Play, Chicago Market. Shared with Murray and Sirott.
  • 2014 National Sportscaster and Sportswriters Association Illinois Sportscaster of the Year.
  • 2012 Best Sports Story shared with Murray.
  • 2011 Best Play by Play, Chicago Market shared with Murray.

Personal life

Wiedeman and his wife, Kelly, have one daughter and one son.[5]

References
  1. Sherman, Ed (2015-05-20). "WGN's John Wiedeman loves doing hometown call for Blackhawks in playoffs". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  2. Powers, Scott (2019-01-24). "Better late than never: How John Wiedeman found his passion in broadcasting". The Athletic. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  3. Ziehm, Len (2006-09-29). "Hawks 'ultimate reward' for Wiedeman". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-10-17 – via PressReader.
  4. Musick, Tom (2014-01-20). "Musick: Determination led Hawks' Wiedeman to broadcast booth". Shaw Media. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  5. "JOHN WIEDEMAN - RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY". Chicago Blackhawks. NHL.com. 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  6. Kuc, Chris (2019-10-19). "FEATURE: Wiedeman, Murray Bring Passion for Game to Radio". Chicago Blackhawks. NHL.com. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  7. Pope, Ben (2021-06-23). "Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley will step down after upcoming season". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  8. Agrest, Jeff (2021-09-29). "Blackhawks announce fill-ins for TV voice Pat Foley as he begins final season with team". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  9. Dietz, John (2022-02-26). "Dietz: Hawks making wrong call with Wiedeman". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  10. Roumeliotis, Charlie (2022-08-25). "Blackhawks name Troy Murray, Patrick Sharp as TV analysts". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
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