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
[edit]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
[edit]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 as the team's radio broadcast play-by-play announcer, and would not be selected to replace Foley on TV for the 2022–23 NHL season.[9][10] Wiedeman signed a three-year extension with the Blackhawks in April 2024.[11]
Awards and honors
[edit]John has been awarded the following honors by the Illinois Broadcasters Association:[5]
- 2015 Best Play by Play, Chicago Market. Shared with colleagues Troy Murray and Judd Sirott.
- 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
[edit]Wiedeman and his wife, Kelly, have one daughter and one son.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Sherman, Ed (May 20, 2015). "WGN's John Wiedeman loves doing hometown call for Blackhawks in playoffs". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ Powers, Scott (January 24, 2019). "Better late than never: How John Wiedeman found his passion in broadcasting". The Athletic. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ Ziehm, Len (September 29, 2006). "Hawks 'ultimate reward' for Wiedeman". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via PressReader.
- ^ Musick, Tom (January 20, 2014). "Musick: Determination led Hawks' Wiedeman to broadcast booth". Shaw Media. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c "JOHN WIEDEMAN - RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY". Chicago Blackhawks. NHL.com. 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Kuc, Chris (October 19, 2019). "FEATURE: Wiedeman, Murray Bring Passion for Game to Radio". Chicago Blackhawks. NHL.com. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ Pope, Ben (June 23, 2021). "Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley will step down after upcoming season". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ Agrest, Jeff (September 29, 2021). "Blackhawks announce fill-ins for TV voice Pat Foley as he begins final season with team". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ Dietz, John (February 26, 2022). "Dietz: Hawks making wrong call with Wiedeman". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- ^ Roumeliotis, Charlie (August 25, 2022). "Blackhawks name Troy Murray, Patrick Sharp as TV analysts". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ Rubinstein, Tori (April 10, 2024). "WGN Radio announces three-year extension with Blackhawks". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved April 12, 2024.