Thunder broadcaster makes 3rd trip to ECHL All-Star game

STOCKTON, Ca – The Stockton Thunder are in the midst of their fifth season in Stockton and things are progressing very well.   The Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for the last four seasons and ranked near the top this season. The team became a two-time recipient of the ECHL Award of Excellence following the 2008-09 season as well.   The Thunder Organization has contributed over $1.1 million to local charities in various fundraisers over the last three years through events like “Thunder Goes Pink” and others like it.
 
Much of their off-ice success can be attributed to their top quality staff and fan support.   General Manager Dan Chapman is proud of their success as well.   “Our fans are amazingly passionate, loyal and dedicated. They continue to amaze us and we appreciate their support.”
 
Part of the Thunder’s success over the past five years can also be attributed to Mike Benton; the voice behind the play-by-play of the Thunder since their arrival in Stockton in 2005.
 
Benton , 28 years old, is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University near Los Angeles, California, not far from where he grew up.   He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and went to work providing play-by-play for various levels of sports including, basketball, baseball and football.   When the opportunity to come to Stockton came, he told Chapman that he was ready for the hard work and commitment.  
 
Commitment is a good word for the work ethic he continually displays for the Thunder.   Words like “top-notch, professional, dedicated” were used in many conversations with those that work with him on a day-to-day basis.   Statements such as these, also led to earning him the ECHL Award of Excellence for Media Relations last summer.
 
Benton grew up in southern California, and like most kids, played some organized sports, but said he realized he “wasn’t blessed with the best of athletic abilities.”   He played little league baseball, football and pick-up hockey with friends.   He discovered hockey as a youngster when Wayne Gretzky was playing for the Los Angeles Kings.
 
Benton recalls, “My athletic talent hit a glass ceiling in high school. I thought if I can’t be there and be a part of the game by playing it; then the next best thing is being there and calling it.”
 
As a seventh grader, Benton remembered visiting his grandmother out of state, and watching the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on television.   As he watched he began to do the play-by-play for the family that watched on. As he became caught-up in the action on a home-run, he called the game with extreme enthusiasm and emotion.  
 
A few moments later, the house phone rang.   The call was a nearby concerned neighbor that wanted to make sure the family was alright.   The yelling made them believe that there could have been some crisis occurring.   Benton’s grandmother was left to explain all was well.   Little did they all know, they were witness to the beginning of a play-by-play path towards his career decision.
 
Benton was hired as the Media Relations Manager in 2005.   His position requires a lot of time and energy, but he said he would not trade it for anything.   During the season, on a game day, Benton will put in about 14 hours of work in a typical day.   Non-game days may be closer to a typical eight hour day.
 
“There’s a lot of game preparation that goes into this; lots of homework to be prepared to call a game and mentally preparation too,” said Benton. “It’s not all about the hockey. People don’t just come to watch [players] drop the gloves or score, they come to party,” especially at this level.
 
When he arrives, about 8:30 on a typical morning, he jumps right into work.   His responsibilities include preparing and recording the broadcast radio feature that reviews the teams last week of play and previews the upcoming week and any promotions.   He prepares his game notes for the play-by-play during the game, which can be time consuming. He is responsible for all media activities, such as writing press releases that cover everything from player movements, team promotions and activities to anything else that the public would have an interest in.
 
Benton also plays a significant role in the Thunders web page, with regard to news worthy articles.   The Thunder’s season ticket holders have special web page access that provides insider information, with opportunities to provide feedback and general banter about the team. Benton writes a blog with information about the game, both pre and post game, call-ups and player profiles and video interview clips.   Season ticket holders can ask questions directly to Benton or the General Manager, and answers are quick to post.    
 
Benton also has a role in corporate sales functions with the front office.   As the liaison for all media inquiries, he plays a key role in ensuring the teams get media attention. He has developed relationships with media outlets to ensure they have access to players and coaches for articles to promote the team and its members to the public.
 
The local area knows Benton best by his radio personality.   When the team is on the road, Benton can be heard locally on KSTN Radio 1420 and via the internet on B2 Network.   His play-by-play personality brings listeners into the game.   The continual banter with guest color commentators is interesting and always informative.   The excitement can be felt by the listener when the Thunder score a goal and he shouts, “score!”
 
  Stockton’s Coach Matt Thomas, is impressed by his “professionalism and attitude.   Some guys don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. He wants to be an NHL broadcaster and he works hard every day. He calls a good game and does a great job.”   The tapes and replays of the game frequently contain the play-by-play action by Benton, which is how Thomas hears him.
 
At the ECHL level things are a little different than the NHL level, or so Benton’s heard.   As a broadcaster at this level, he has a closer working relationship to the players, since they all travel together and he’s around them as a liaison.   But he understands there is a broad line between him and the players when it comes to forming friendships.   “It’s just safer to keep a distance.   I try to keep things on as much of a professional level as possible. I don’t hang out with the players after games or anything like that.”  
 
It appears that no matter how hard one tries, some hockey players are notorious for their antics off the ice and Benton admits to being on the receiving end to some of those pranks in the past few years.   After continually turning the other cheek, he decided he had to “pay back” one of the better known jokesters.   Former Thunder player Adam Huxley was known for his pranks with his team mates. Let this serve as a warning to his current teammates on the Idaho Steelheads, if it’s not too late.   A quick shoe check while Huxley was involved in conversation with mustard, in an airport on the way back home after an away game, seemed to do the trick and give Benton some satisfaction.
 
Earlier in Benton’s career, with the Dayton Dragons (Minor League Baseball), a visiting manager that was known for putting quotes on the board for his players, had left a quote that he has remembered to this day.   The quote was by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Philosopher, “There’s no such thing as stress in the world, only people thinking stressful thoughts and then acting on them.”   The quote now has a permanent place on his office wall bulletin board. In addition to this, he has his strong Christian faith since childhood that keeps him well balanced in his everyday life.
 
“I try to be as upbeat as possible. You’re only wasting time if you want to sulk about life’s unfortunate situations every day.”   He continued, “I’ve got to admit I’m blessed here. I’ve got the job of my dreams for the last 5 years; I have a great girlfriend in my life, a loving family, relatives a half an hour away, and additionally, a lot of mentors I can lean on. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.”
 
When time permits, you can find Benton on the golf course or in the gym. He especially values the time he gets to spend with his girlfriend of nearly 14 months, Amy, a school teacher in nearby Modesto.   When travels allow, he tries to visit family and spend time on the beach in southern California too.
 
Radio broadcasting is like “working on a high-wire without a net,” adds Benton.   Sometimes even a professional can get caught up in the moment.   He shared an embarrassing moment in which he got lost in the heat of the game, and in his excitement in the closing game remarks, left the listeners with the wrong final score.   Not necessarily something you can go back and easily correct.
 

Benton Interviews Todd Ford of Stingrays during ECHL Skills Competition

Benton can now add another accomplishment to his already successful career.   He was chosen as one of the radio broadcasters for the upcoming ECHL All-Star Game to be held in Ontario, California in mid-January.   This marks Benton’s third opportunity to call the shots at this event over the last four years.
 
“It’s an absolute honor to represent the organization and to be a part of one of the leagues signature events,” he said of the selection.   It’s especially good for him, since the game will be only thirty minutes from his childhood home, high school and college; guaranteed to be lots of support for him there.
 
Chapman agreed, “This is indicative of his abilities.   We are proud of his selection. It’s well deserved. He has a bright future.”
 
It appears that Mike Benton does indeed have a bright future in hockey broadcasting ahead of him.   He knows how lucky he is to be able to enjoy his work each and every day and be a part of a successful organization.   Who knows what the future holds for him – perhaps NHL bound.
 
 
Contact the writer at shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at jack.lima@prohockeynews.com