Calgary Flames lose iconic play-by-play announcer after 10 seasons
By Nathan Smith
![Calgary Flames Calgary Flames](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3000,h_1687,x_0,y_135/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/117/01hzqfgf7v1ma4cdfp55.jpg)
The Calgary Flames have lost many notable names over the past few years, with the likes of Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm and several long-time players moving on from Calgary. Now, the Flames have suffered yet another loss, with this one coming out of left field.
Chicago meet Rick Ball 🤝 🎙️
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 6, 2024
What he brings to the booth:
- 25 years of hockey broadcasting experience
- ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ Play-by-Play since 2011
- Previous 10 seasons with Calgary Flames
Read more 💻 https://t.co/I1YLhwYegn pic.twitter.com/T5zTsYugfW
After 10 years, announcer Rick Ball is officially moving on, with the Chicago Blackhawks announcing that Ball will take over as their lead play-by-play guy starting in the 2024-25 season, leaving a major hole in the Flames product. The news was confirmed by fellow Sportsnet personality Eric Francis, who bid farewell to the much beloved Ball, who was a key part of the Flames broadcast for the past decade.
Cheers to one of the best people in the business, Rick Ball, the new TV voice of the Chicago Blackhawks.
— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) June 6, 2024
Steak houses & sommeliers across Calgary will be devastated, as is our Sportsnet family.
But we’re all thrilled for ya pal.
Will miss that smile and those Tommy Bahama shirts. pic.twitter.com/ND6X4EaVza
It's not yet clear who will take over as the Flames play-by-play announcer moving forward, with Harnarayan Singh an obvious candidate given the work he's done with the Flames over the past few years. Whatever the case, it's going to be a major change with Flames fans now having to embrace new faces both on and off the ice.
Tough news for Flames fans as Rick Ball will be leaving the Calgary Flames to become the new play by play voice of the Chicago Blackhawks.
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) June 6, 2024
We wish Rick nothing but the best in his new role. He will be missed! pic.twitter.com/rfOwseDaLd
This is a major victory for the Chicago Blackhawks, who get one of the most consistent and fantastic announcers in the NHL, and with a new era of players on the ice, the Flames will now embrace a new voice of the team.