Throughout the 2022-23 off-season, the Ontario Hockey League will be spotlighting a member from each of our teams’ front office staffs as we look to highlight those working “Behind the Scenes” of the day-to-day operations.
The newest edition features Brantford Bulldogs Manager of Broadcasting and Communications, Reed Duthie.
RD: I’m Reed Duthie, Manager of Broadcasting & Communications as well as Play-by-Play Announcer for the Brantford Bulldogs. I’ve been working with the team in some capacity since their inaugural season in 2015-16 first as the TV voice before taking on the Broadcasting & Communications role in 2019 and the simulcast play-by-play in 2021. I’m from Hamilton, and attended both McMaster University & Mohawk College, graduating with a degree in Radio Broadcasting.
What are your responsibilities as the Bulldogs’ Broadcasting and Communications Manager?
RD: As the Manager of Broadcasting and Communications as well as Play-by-Play man, my role touches a lot of different points in the organization. From helping to maintain the website and social media channels to writing press releases and feature articles to calling all 68 games (plus playoffs) to helping create new and engaging content as well as acquiring partnerships for the team and broadcasts and arranging a wide array of media availability and access. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is being an ambassador for the franchise at community events, bringing the players around to school visits or to minor hockey practices and getting to see kids light up when their favourite players walk through the door.
What led you to your current role?
RD: My current role is something I’ve wanted to do my entire life, I grew up heavily influenced by Fred Cusick & Chris Cuthbert, wanting to be a play-by-play announcer. Their call of the game inspired me to want to make fans feel the same way I felt as a kid listening to them. Expanding into a role in Communications is something that came more through high school and into college, writing for school papers & really enjoying the ability to craft and follow through on stories in sports. I try to never turn down opportunity and each opportunity I’ve had to expand my role with the Bulldogs, I’ve tried to jump in with both feet and run with it, make it my own.
You’re also the voice of the Bulldogs, what does a game day look like for you?
RD: As the voice of the Bulldogs, a game-day at home can be pretty packed, beginning in the morning going over stats and game video of each of the team’s previous couple of games. Getting to the rink several hours before puck drop, I’ll go through to make sure I’ve printed any media passes for attendees, set up the press box, printed and delivered game notes and lineups for the media and scouts and then finalize my broadcast lineup cards. After calling the game, I’ll work with our photographers to grab a couple shots of gameplay to compliment my written recap of the game and post to our website and social media channels before heading out and getting ready to do it all over again!
Since joining the Bulldogs in 2019, what has been the most exciting moment?
RD: The most exciting moment since I’ve joined the Bulldogs full-time in 2019 is hard to pick out because I’ve been lucky to be a part of so many incredible moments; 1) Game 7 of the 2022 OHL Finals; seeing the culmination of a 10-month season after the league returned from the COVID shutdown was an emotional culmination of so much incredible work and the reward for a team that was as close as brothers and earned everything. 2) The Outdoor Showcase; calling a game on a football field with close to 15,000 fans at Tim Horton’s Field is something I will never forget. 3) On personal level being hired by Steve Staios, who I grew up a massive fan of sharing the same hometown.
As the Bulldogs temporarily relocate from Hamilton to Brantford, what are you most looking forward to as you expand the fanbase?
RD: The response we’ve received from the fans in Brantford has been so overwhelmingly positive, they’ve even made this east end Hamilton boy feel like he’s at home! I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to get out in the community and meet more of the great people there, introduce them to Bulldogs hockey and work to bring a Championship to a great hockey city!
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