I didn’t vote, but here’s what was [written](https://theathletic.com/4562811/2023/05/31/nhl-broadcast-rankings-tv-2023/?source=user_shared_article):
The Broadcast: Bally Sports SoCal carries Anaheim Ducks games, with John Ahlers doing play-by-play and Brian Hayward doing colour.
Local ranking: 30
National ranking: 29
Last season: 31
The results: The veteran team of Ahlers and Hayward have been together forever, and much of the criticism of the Ducks broadcast team reflects this.
“As much as I have loved these guys for so many years, I think it’s a new era and a need for fresher faces (and) voices a little more in touch with the modern style of play,” wrote one fan.
Much of the criticism from Ducks fans matches that tone. There’s a pervasive sense among our respondents that the broadcast is a bit stale, doesn’t incorporate much analysis of set plays or data and is out of touch with the “vibe” of a young team.
Other aspects of the broadcast, however, got some measured praise from some of our respondents. Guy Hebert and Aly Lozoff, in particular, appear to have charmed hardcore Ducks fans.
“Guy Hebert is always smiling and Aly Lozoff knows the game,” wrote one Ducks fan.
by cgill24
8 Comments
Agree with the results, although I missed the survey and didn’t vote this time. Really don’t like Hazy or Ahlers particularly, but I’ve always enjoyed Guy. Aly does a solid job as well. No problems with either.
I don’t mind Hayward tbh, I like his commentary and knowledge of the game but I’m ready for Ahlers to step down. When a goal is scored his excitement voice is cringe. I’d be happy if we had a young anchor to go along with Hayward. The young anchor can do the play-by-play commentary.
They do the national games on NHL Radio… just listened to them the other night with the Vegas game. Hazy knows his stuff!
Some parts I agree with, but it seems like this is mostly just saying to change it up for the sake of changing it up. Putting us under Boston? That’s not right, whether you like Jack Edwards or not, everyone can tell that something seems to be wrong. I personally like our commentary team more than a lot of others, but maybe that’s me getting used to them over so many years. I wanna say that they’re the team we’ve had longest, I can’t think of any other teams we’ve had that’s lasted this long.
I actually love our crew. Always have. Getting a young/hip team just because makes no sense. Obviously Ahlers and Hazy aren’t Vin but did the Dodgers drop Vin Scully because he wasn’t young/hip.
Ahlers can at times be stale but I think they make a great team. Guy and company also do a solid job.
People love to hate on us, kind of a weird flex
I actually love hazy and ahlers
Yeah, I very much find Ahlers and Hayward to be too stale using the same catchphrases over and over and over again. I know they try to cater to the overall Southern California community with their crazy golf references but as someone who has never golfed before or lives and works in Southern California, it’s annoying. Hope I’m not the only one that’s going to die a horrible and tragic death on this hill but I’m prepared for it. Ahlers and Hayward will either have to come up with new material that will cater towards a broader viewership or audience, or I hope the Ducks organization as a whole decide to seek a new voices behind the broadcasting booth.
I was listening to a Ducks game on radio once and Steve Carroll’s had a cold and he lost his voice mid broadcast. They pulled Ahlers from TV to finish the radio broadcast with Wood. It was best Ducks broadcast I had ever heard Ahlers do. I’m not sure if it was because Ahlers changed his call for the radio or if it was a different chemistry with Wood, but it was his best announcing ever. I don’t know who Hazy finished the TV broadcast with, but I’ve always wondered how it went.