Play-By-Play Confessions: Ben Gislason’s Inside Look at Iowa Wild Hockey

On Maxwell's Iowa CoffeeCast, Ben Gislason, play-by-play announcer and Director of Broadcasting and Team Services for the Iowa Wild hockey team, shares the intricacies of his role. Gislason delves into the origins of his hockey journey, and talks about his Minnesota high school, junior hockey, and college hockey years. The discussion shifts to his journey in sports broadcasting, a dream nurtured from childhood as he called mock hockey games with friends. He details the complexity of his dual role at the Iowa Wild, balancing the logistics of team travel with his passion for calling hockey games across various platforms. He explains the unique demands of hockey play-by-play, which he considers more fluid than other sports like baseball or football, which have more pauses between actions. His preparation is meticulous, including creating opponent charts filled with stats and anecdotes to give listeners a deeper connection to the players.

Ben also reflects on the challenges of explaining hockey to newcomers, emphasizing the importance of helping fans understand the nuances of the sport, like offsides and penalties, making his broadcasts accessible to all audiences. He highlights the importance of his background in team services, allowing him to build personal connections with players that enrich his commentary. The conversation concludes with Ben’s long-term goal of calling NHL games, with his sights set on a future in the big leagues while remaining passionate about elevating the game for Iowa Wild fans.