After five years and about 350 games, former Powell River Kings play-by-play broadcaster Alex Rawnsley found dedication, patience, preparation and attention to detail were the necessary skills needed for the job.
On Friday, July 22, Rawnsley’s work ethic paid off when he was recognized as the 2016 BC Hockey League (BCHL) Broadcaster of the Year as chosen by his peers. Rawnsley shares the award with Nanaimo Clippers’ announcer Dan Marshall.
“It’s incredibly flattering,” said Rawnsley. “It wasn’t something I was expecting and the guy I share it with is, quite frankly, the best our league has to offer. He has won it three out of the last five years.”
While Rawnsley holds Marshall and fellow play-by-play announcers in the small BCHL broadcasting fraternity in high esteem, he also idolizes Michael “Doc” Emrick who broadcasts for NBC and NBC Sports.
“In Canada, I really like Jim Hughson from Hockey Night in Canada and Gord Miller from TSN,” he said.
At the end of last season, Rawnsley said a lot of the little things that go into a broadcast started to wear him down. He had been with the Kings for five seasons. He said it was an incredibly difficult decision to step down, but he does not plan to take the award and sit on his laurels.
“I’m not done,” he said. “I’m in touch with the broadcasting fraternity and I see myself calling games in the future. This is just a pause for me to recharge, re-energize and reassess where I am and move ahead from there.”
Craig Beauchemin will be replacing Rawnsley in the Kings’ broadcast booth for the coming season. Beauchemin formerly handled play-by-play for Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
In other Kings news, the team is holding its annual hockey school from August 15 to 19 for atom, peewee and bantam/midget players.
For more information, go to powellriverkings.com.
