Vees broadcaster Fraser Rodgers loves his job
Fraser Rodgers is play-by-play announcer with the Penticton Vees on 800 (AM) and the team’s director of communications. Born in Nanaimo, prior to coming to Penticton in 2010/11 he did play-by-play work in both Melfort, Sask. (for three junior A teams in the same season) and Powell River. He spoke this week with Herald managing editor James Miller.
HERALD: How did you become interested in being a play-by-play announcer? Were you one of those kids who turned off the volume on the television and pretended you were doing "Hockey Night in Canada?"
RODGERS: I guess it was watching hockey on TV. I found myself gravitating more towards wanting to know more about the broadcasters, the production of the game, than the players. I did go and buy a tape recorder — are they even around anymore? — and started doing my own broadcasts. It snowballed from there.
HERALD: Did you play hockey and were you any good?
RODGERS: Play? Sure, ha ha. I wasn’t very good. I was a good skater, but that’s it and my parents are quick to point out I wasn’t a fan of the investment of early mornings, so my so-called career quickly fizzled out. I excelled more at baseball and soccer and played those two sports up until my late teens.
HERALD: What was the first game you did for real?
RODGERS: That would have been, oh, in late 2007. It was a junior B game on Vancouver Island between Oceanside Generals (Parksville) and the Campbell River Storm. I was filling in for the Oceanside broadcaster and I thought I was going to faint. My Dad still has a tape from that game somewhere, and I hope it never sees the light of day.
HERALD: Do you remember the final score?
RODGERS: Nope. I just remember it was a road game for Oceanside and they lost. It was a blur. The biggest thing I remember was just being so damned excited and I could have cared less if that had lost 11-0. It was a thrill.
HERALD: You arrived in Penticton the year they won the Canadian championship and set the record for most consecutive wins ever. What a way to start.
RODGERS: Some colleagues and friends are quick to tell me how spoiled I am, and I know it! In seven years in this league, I’ve called two RBC Cups, a Western Canada Cup, a Doyle Cup (WCC predecessor) and three BCHL Finals.
HERALD: Calling the Western Canada Cup must be a thrill for you with it being here in Penticton this year.
RODGERS: I am really excited to be able to be a part of what should be fantastic event. There’s so much hard work going into behind the scenes to make it the best one yet and I believe it will be. David Michaud (tournament chair) and Laura Carleton (tickets) have been working their butts off to make it great. I hope fans jump on board and watch some of the best Junior A hockey they’ll ever see.
HERALD: How much preparation goes into a broadcast?
RODGERS: How many words do I have? Simply put, a lot. It’s not just showing up and putting a headset on and calling the game. There’s player research, team stats, trends, streaks and the list could go on. Just like the players, you want to be as prepared as you can once the game starts. It’s three to four hours for every game — at least. My biggest advice to aspiring broadcasters is do your homework!
HERALD: When you go on the road, how much advance time is needed to set up your gear? Do you have any roadies who help?
RODGERS: Usually the Vees like to get to the opposition rink two-and-a-half hours before the game. For me, it’s about 30 minutes to set up the equipment, another 10-15 minutes chasing down coaches for pregame interviews and then some lastminute notes. All in all, about an hour to be ready.
HERALD: What is your favourite out-oftown arena to broadcast from?
RODGERS: I hope I don’t get fired for this — Vernon. Three keys things. It’s a great location right about centre ice. There is lots of room for equipment and notes. Most importantly, there’s a bathroom right behind the visitors broadcast location, only steps away. That’s a huge plus. West Kelowna is fun too, but that’s for the atmosphere, especially playoffs when fans from both sides pack it.
HERALD: Like an aspiring junior A hockey player, they all hope to extend their careers beyond the Vees. Do you aspire to a higher level?
RODGERS: Yes, 100 per cent. Guys and gals in my profession are striving for the next step, just like players. I have been incredibly fortunate to have great bosses and set up in Penticton which has afforded me to be patient. One day, I hope to make my way up the ladder.
HERALD: Which sports broadcasters, both past and present, do you most admire and why?
RODGERS: Tough question... there’s a lot. One familiar name would be former Vees’ broadcaster Dan Marshall. Our paths crossed in Nanaimo and he helped me get into the field. He’s still someone I look up to. Obviously, there’s the higher profile names like Jim Hughson (CBC), and a guy like Dan Shulman (ESPN / Sportsnet) who does baseball. Those two are at the top of their respective craft and are so smooth — something that’s an underrated quality in broadcasting.
HERALD: What makes hockey a tougher game to call than say baseball, football, basketball or soccer?
RODGERS: Speed, speed, speed. It’s the fastest game out there. The other sports have a much slower tempo and start-stop action to them.
HERALD: I won’t ask you who the greatest Vee is during your time because that would be a loaded question. But how about who you consider to be the unsung Vees, the guy who never received the recognition that maybe he should have?
RODGERS: I’m glad you asked this because there’s a lot to go into good teams, championship teams. In 2012, the RBC Cup team, I don’t think they’d be a winner if it wasn’t for the guys like Kyle Beaulieu and Nick Buchanan on the blue-line. Two 20year-old veterans who played a man’s game. Also, a guy like Logan Johnston, the captain, was a sheriff out there and his intimidating presence helped protect the Vees’ star players. Mess with them, you’d have to answer to Johnston.
Patrick Sexton too. He was one of the best leaders I’ve come across in junior hockey. He was a stay-at-home defenceman who wore his heart on his sleeve; he started growing a beard when he was like 10, I believe. I’ll never forget his game-winning goal against Vernon in Game 7 in 2015. Electric.