Calgary Flames fans were blessed to have Rick Ball call their games on TV for the past decade. Unfortunately for us, Rick was given a new opportunity to call games for the Chicago Blackhawks starting this season, and will no longer be behind the Sportsnet desk to call Flames games.
The role of TV play-by-play voice has remained vacant through the summer, but has now been filled.
Jon Abbott will be the new Calgary Flames TV play-by-play voice.
The press release confirms that Abbott will join Kelly Hrudey and Greg Millen in the broadcast booth to call Flames games, with Ryan Leslie continuing as the host.
Abbott began his broadcasting career at Rogers TV, and has over 24 years of experience in the industry. He has called NHL games before including those for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators.
The Flames released a video of Abbott calling Flames goals for the first time and it’s pretty darn good.
From the press release, Abbott had these comments about his new role:
The hockey world is a small one and often provides full circle moments. Growing up in Aylmer, ON, my minor hockey team was named the Flames because of funding provided by a former owner of the Calgary Flames, the late Harley Hotchkiss. Mr. Hotchkiss was from the neighbouring community of Tillsonburg, and just as the Flames ownership continues to do today, he always supported his community through his love for the game. It is an honour to join both the Sportsnet and Flames families over 30 years later, and I look forward to many years of great hockey memories in Calgary.
Thank you Rick Ball for the countless memories, and welcome to Calgary, Jon Abbott!
