The Sunshine Skate is incredibly excited to announce our interview with Doug Plagens (Radio Play-By-Play Broadcaster for the Florida Panthers). During our interview with Doug, we discuss his broadcasting style, experience with the 3-on-3 hockey, his favorite bands out of Florida, and more.
Kris M.: What was your first experience with the sport of hockey and how did you come to fall in love with it?
Doug Plagens: I grew up in the Detroit area, so some of my earliest memories involve watching Red Wings games on TV. I attended my first game at the age of four; a Wings-North Stars game at Joe Louis Arena during the ’89-90 season, and started playing organized hockey when I was six. All the early experiences with hockey made it become something I wanted to be around for the rest of my life. I played through high school, and was fortunate enough to be a part of a state championship team during my senior year at Trenton High School, just south of Detroit, in 2003.
Following high school, I attended Lake Forest College, which is just north of Chicago. We had a small campus radio station, 88.9 WMXM, and it was there that I first got on-air and eventually became the play-by-play broadcaster for the men’s hockey and football teams during my junior and senior years. That was a long answer, but hockey is just something I’ve always wanted to be around. I’ve had a ton of experiences through hockey that I wouldn’t trade for anything, and it’s the best sport in the world.
KM: What broadcasters inspired you to pick up a microphone and helped shape your style?
DP: I’ve dreamed of becoming an NHL play-by-play broadcaster since I was six years old, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to say I’m now doing what I’ve always wanted to do. When I was first getting into watching hockey regularly on TV, Dave Strader and Mickey Redmond were the Red Wings TV team, so I’ve always been a fan of their work. I also really enjoyed the legendary former Detroit radio voices: Bruce Martyn on the Wings’ games and Ernie Harwell calling Tigers baseball. When I was a graduate student at Syracuse, I interned for Bob McElligott, the current radio voice of the Columbus Blue Jackets and former voice of the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. Bob has remained a friend and been a huge influence and help in my career.
Over the last few years I’ve had subscriptions that have allowed me to catch every NHL game on TV and radio, and I’m always tuning in to try and learn something new. I’ve always admired Pat Foley’s Blackhawks broadcasts, and I’m very excited to work with and learn from veteran broadcasters like Randy Moller, Steve Goldstein, and Denis Potvin here in Florida.
KM: You have broadcasted a wide variety of sports in your young career. You have had broadcast roles in both the ECHL + AHL All-Star Games in the past and won the ECHL Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2009-10. How have your experiences thus far prepared you for the challenge of broadcasting a major league sports franchise?
DP: Anytime a college student asks me how to prepare for the next step after school, I always tell them to find the value in every experience and make the most of it. I like to think I can look at everywhere I’ve been in my career, and recognize how those experiences helped me achieve my dream job in Florida. I’ve been chasing the dream of being a play-by-play announcer in the NHL since I was a little kid, and can’t wait to get the season started. Every new position is a challenge, but I’m incredibly excited and thankful to be the voice of the Panthers.
In my last position working in Cleveland, not only did I get to experience working for a team in a major league sports market, but I was also fortunate to work for the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters and AFL’s Cleveland Gladiators, who are under the ownership of the Cavaliers. Both teams, while minor league in classification, were treated and run like major league operations. The first team I worked for was the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL, which is another great organization. Working and crossing paths with so many talented people over the years has helped me constantly learn and improve.
Professionally, one of my goals in both the AHL and ECHL was to be involved with an All-Star Game broadcast, and being able to experience both of those was a huge thrill. Both leagues are filled with fantastic broadcasters, and to be able to work with a few of them on all-star games was a ton of fun. The ’09-10 ECHL Broadcaster of the Year award is one of my greatest honors to date, again, because the ECHL has always been loaded with awesome broadcasters. There are several former ECHL broadcasters who are scattered across the Major Leagues today.
KM: There has been quite the buzz this summer regarding 3-on-3 overtime, the new tiebreaking feature in the NHL this upcoming season. You saw this play out in the AHL last season so what is your impression of 3-on-3 hockey and the impact it may have on the NHL?
DP: I absolutely love the three-on-three overtime format. It’s so exciting, because it really turns into two-on-one rushes going each way until someone scores. The format also really cuts down the number of shootouts. I know there are a lot of people who love the excitement of shootouts, but the excitement levels I saw during three-on-three overtime were significantly greater than in shootouts. Three-on-three overtime displays speed and great plays, and anyone who hasn’t seen it before will love it.
KM: What are some things that you are excited about with your new position with the Florida Panthers?
DP: Just saying I’m excited about this is an understatement; it’s really the thrill of a lifetime. First of all, I’m very thankful that the Panthers have given me this opportunity. I can’t wait to continue the tradition of quality hockey broadcasters in South Florida and help the Panthers organization in any way possible. I’m looking forward to meeting the fans and to continue doing what I’ve always wanted to do and cover the Panthers on a day-to-day basis.
KM: Is there one player that you’re particularly thrilled about seeing this year with the Panthers?
DP: This is an exciting young hockey team that’s ready to make some noise in the Eastern Conference, and it’s hard to single out one name. I can’t wait to see Aaron Ekblad continue to develop into one of the premier defensemen in the game, or to watch Nick Bjugstad and Jonathan Huberdeau build on what they’ve already accomplished in their young careers. Roberto Luongo is one of the top goalies of the last quarter-century. I’m really looking forward to seeing Jaromir Jagr on a night-to-night basis; he’s one of the best players in the history of the sport, has always been one of my favorites to watch, and could wind up in the top-three all-time in points. There might not be anyone else, ever, who has had the combination of speed, size, vision, scoring, and playmaking ability that Jagr has.
KM: We’ve learned about Doug the broadcaster, so let’s learn a bit more about you personally. Your twitter bio says you’re a big fan of music, especially ska, punk, and metal – three genres that have been particularly successful in Florida. What are some of your favorite bands?
DP: Too many to name. I’m a huge music fan. My iPod is creeping up on 11,000 songs. Some of my favorite bands: Less Than Jake, Zebrahead, Sum 41, A Day To Remember, Mustard Plug, Goldfinger, Avenged Sevenfold.
KM: Do you have a favorite band from Florida?
DP: Less Than Jake (Gainesville), A Day To Remember (Ocala), and New Found Glory (Coral Springs)! I’ve seen them all several times. Also, Anberlin isn’t active anymore, but they’re from Florida, and I saw them a lot.
KM: While we’re on the top of music, what was the last concert that you attended?
DP: The last concert I attended was Motley Crue & Alice Cooper at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland shortly before I moved to Florida. A few days before that I saw NOFX, Lagwagon, and a bunch of others at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey; probably the best concert venue I’ve ever been to. I also went to four Van’s Warped Tours over the Summer, saw Rise Against & Killswitch Engage in Pittsburgh, and went to Skate & Surf Festival in Asbury Park during the Spring.
KM: Your twitter profile also mentions that you’re a guitarist. Do you have a favorite or go-to guitar that you like to play?
DP: I like to look at myself as a very average, self-taught guitar player who can’t read music but loves power chords. During my freshman year of college, I felt like I was playing too many video games and needed to do something constructive in my free time. That made me buy a cheap guitar and amp. When I turned 21 I got a Schecter Gryphon, which is no longer in production, and I love it. A friend of mine turned me on to Schecter guitars, and then I realized the guys from Avenged Sevenfold play them, so I was immediately sold. I tried getting a different guitar a little over a year ago, and I returned it. It just didn’t feel right.
KM: Final Question: You’re allowed to create a dream team of your all-time favorite NHL players. Who would be your perfect team of 3 Forwards, 2 Defenseman, and 1 Goalie?
DP: This list was tough to compile, but it’s all retired players I watched growing up.
Forwards: Darren McCarty, Steve Yzerman & Wayne Gretzky.
Defensemen: Darius Kasparaitis & Vladimir Konstantinov
Goalie: Ed Belfour
Thank you for your time, Doug. We sincerely appreciate it.
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Questions were compiled by “The Sunshine Skate” staff. All Questions/Answers are edited only for formatting.
Kris M. can be reached for contact on Twitter or via email at [email protected].
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