Former Baltimore Skipjacks radio announcer Kenny Albert says calling the recent Olympic hockey ranks among the most memorable stretches of his career, highlighting multiple overtimes and gold medal games for the United States men’s and women’s hockey teams.
Albert, the TV voice of the New York Rangers and the lead voice for the NHL on TNT, joined Glenn Clark Radio Feb. 27 after calling the U.S. men’s and women’s games for NBC. This was the first time since 2014 that NHL players represented their countries in the Olympics.
Albert said he has worked seven Winter Olympics and several gold medal games, but this run felt different because NHL players returned and the U.S. beat Canada in overtime in the men’s and women’s gold medal games. He said the overtime endings left stronger impressions among viewers.
“It’s kind of been overwhelming — the texts, the emails, the tweets that I’ve seen, the articles that have been written,” he said.
Despite the importance of the games, Albert said he approached the broadcasts like any other assignment.
“You definitely feel the magnitude of it, but when you’re in the moment, I’m calling the game,” he said.
Albert also credited his crew for staying focused even during the tournament’s biggest moments.
“Everybody was at the top of their game,” he said, mentioning Brian Boucher, Eddie Olczyk, Catherine Tappen and Mike Tirico specifically.
When it comes to potential calls, Albert thinks ahead but avoids scripting them.
“I’m not one that necessarily scripts out a couple sentences or a paragraph. I think that’s a little too forced at times,” he said. “But you do want to have a couple of words and phrases in your mind.”
Albert explained that overtime goals require spontaneity because a single play can unfold in many ways.
“So you can’t really script a goal call,” he said.
However, Albert said he did want to reference history if the U.S. men won gold. After the winning goal, he did deliver a line he had thought about saying.
“For the first time since the 1980 miracle, the United States takes the gold,” Albert said after Jack Hughes’ game-winner.
Albert also mentioned how relationships with players and coaches added emotion to his experience. He said he and his crew spent time around the U.S. men’s and women’s teams and got to see them and their reactions throughout the tournament.
Albert remembered Olczyk’s reaction to Hughes’ goal. A native of Chicago, Olczyk played 16 seasons in the NHL and was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. He represented the U.S. in the 1984 Winter Games.
“I looked over at him after the goal was scored, he had tears in his eyes, and I know how much it meant to him,” Albert said.
Albert said he hopes the United States’ Olympic success this winter sparks a rise in youth participation just as the 1980 win did.
“Hopefully this has a similar effect,” he said.
Albert also mentioned how the visibility of highlights and interviews on social media could help grow the sport and hopefully encourage more kids to play and follow hockey.
He hopes the momentum carries into the NHL season and postseason.
“Hopefully it’s a tremendous time for the sport,” he said.
For more from Kenny Albert, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC Sports