ALLEN, Texas – If one were to ask hockey fans in North Texas what comes to mind when they hear the team name Americans, they would likely say two things; physical, championship hockey teams, and Tommy Daniels.
The President of Hockey Operations and Vice President of Broadcasting and Communications, Daniels has been a staple with the Allen Americans since the team’s inception in 2009.
In addition to those duties, Daniels has served as the play-by-play voice of the Americans since day one. That was October 16, 2009 when he introduced Allen fans to their new team while calling a 1-0 road win over the Arizona Sundogs as a member of the Central Hockey League. Since then, Daniels has witnessed 903 wins and four league championships (two CHL and two ECHL), all while painting pictures of every hit, fight, save, and goal along the way.
Friday night saw Daniels add another impressive number to his resume.
Daniels abandoned his normal broadcasting perch high up in the rafters of the Credit Union of Texas Event Center, opting for a suite instead, donned his headset and got ready for Allen’s game against the visiting Wichita Thunder. This game, though, would be different. In a packed suite full of well wishers, Daniels officially logged his 1,000th Americans broadcast.
Along side Daniels was his long-time broadcast partner, and former Pro Hockey News writer, Maurice Fitzgerald.
“I couldn’t imagine hearing another person call an Americans game but him,” Fitzgerald said.
The Americans honored Daniels before the game, playing a video message from team owner Jack Gulati and fellow broadcasters, including hockey broadcasting legend, Mike “Doc” Emrick.
Not done there, Daniels was invited to the ice for the ceremonial puck drop.
Fans also had the opportunity to purchase Tommy Daniels bobblehead dolls and have them signed by the golden voice himself during the second intermission. He excused himself from the broadcast late in the second period, and made his way to the team store to greet his friends.
“We, as fans, have been very fortunate to have one, steady voice throughout the entire Americans run through 14-seasons, that of Tommy Daniels. As his broadcast partner for the past 12-years, it’s been my distinct pleasure and honor to share the booth with him,” Fitzgerald said.
“He’s taught me a lot about the job and roles of the broadcast team, and allowed me to take the time to find my own voice while we worked the games. He’s even tossed me in to do play-by-play a few times, which was a lot of fun and broadened my perspective on the sports broadcaster role,” he said. ” I couldn’t ask for a better partner to share the booth with, working with him has been an absolute blast.”
Tommy Daniels broadcasted his 1,000th game for the Allen Americans Friday evening. There was a bobblehead to commemorate the occasion. Various broadcasters from the league gave praise in video comments during the game, and there was even one from Doc Emrick. / Photo by Les Stockton (PHN)
According to Fitzgerald, Daniels is synonymous with the Allen Americans organization, hosting social events, podcasts and radio shows while building relationships.
For the families of Americans’ players, Daniels is the long-distance connection to their player and he builds a personal rapport with them, messaging and calling them out, as he does with Allen fans, on broadcasts. Fitzgerald says this helps Daniels create a truly inclusive family feel for the fan base. That personal touch, he says, cannot be overlooked.
That personal touch extends far beyond fans and family members.
In March, 2010 Daniels invited a young PHN writer by the name of John to his broadcast position for an intermission interview. Remember his usual broadcasting perch mentioned earlier? After climbing the stairs to the top of the arena and walking across the roof through a single exterior door, the writer greeted Daniels and commented about the unique setup. “I like the view here better (than the corner broadcast booth), I can see everything here,” Daniels said.
Daniels calmed the reporter who was nervous about being live on the radio for the first time and coached him through the interview. The exchange, which lasted all of about five minutes, went so smoothly, it seemed like it was over in seconds.
His professionalism and welcoming demeanor made me feel right at home, and it is a moment I will always remember. It was yet another example of the personal touch Daniels puts into his work.
“Tommy Daniels is a memorable name in the league,” said Pro Hockey News Photographer Les Stockton, who traveled from Oklahoma to capture images of Friday’s game. “He’s well liked by everyone,” Stockton said.
The feeling is mutual between Daniels and Allen fans.
“He brings us news of the team and entertains us with his call on game day. We feel every up and down of the action through his voice, as he paints a vivid picture of the scene before him,” Fitzgerald said.
When asked about the fans of the Allen Americans in a video that the team recently shared on facebook, Daniels credited them for his success.
“When I met a lot of these people 14-years ago, I never thought i’d be here 14-years later,” he said.
“Without the fans, our job is meaningless. We have a great team and a fun building to play in, but without the fans, it’s nothing,” Daniels said.
The line of fans getting their Tommy Daniels bobble heads autographed was so long, that Daniels finally made it back to the broadcast suite in the closing minutes of the Americans’ 5-3 win.
As Fitzgerald, who took over play-by-play duties, welcomed Daniels back, Daniels briefly reflected on the game.
“I couldn’t ask for a better thousandth game. All I told the boys I wanted, was a win,” Daniels said. “It was a fun night, i’ll never forget this,” he said.
Then, like the professional that he is, Daniels seamlessly eased back into the play-by-play duties. “So, with 4:06 remaining…”
“Congratulations on 1,000 games Tommy, and here’s to the next 1,000, buddy,” said Fitzgerald.
We here at Pro Hockey News agree with Moe. It just wouldn’t be Allen Americans hockey without Tommy Daniels.
Contact the writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer: Les.Stockton@prohockeynews.com
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