Blackhawks replace Chris Vosters with Rick Ball as play-by-play voice
Move made as team moves to new Chicago Sports Network in October
In a surprise move, the Chicago Blackhawks have parted ways with play-by-play voice Chris Vosters after two seasons and replaced him with veteran Rick Ball, whose work included the Calgary Flames and Hockey Night In Canada.
The announcement comes as the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox are moving to the new Chicago Sports Network on October 1, replacing NBC Sports Chicago, ending a twenty-year run with Comcast. Former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Darren Pang is set to return for a second season as an analyst.
“We are delighted to have Rick join the Blackhawks broadcast booth alongside Darren Pang as we begin this exciting new chapter in Blackhawks television with our new broadcast venture, Chicago Sports Network,” Blackhawks President of Business Operations Jamie Faulkner said. “An established voice in the hockey world, Rick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our broadcasts. Coupled with Darren’s exceptional energy and expertise, we believe we are providing Blackhawks fans with the best in-home watching experience in the NHL.”
Born in Kelowna, B.C., Ball was the play-by-play voice of the Calgary Flames for the last decade for Rogers-owned Sportsnet and the treasured Hockey Night In Canada (on both CBC and SportsNet) since 2011. Ball has also called Stanley Cup Playoff games for Sportsnet and TNT and was the radio voice of the Canucks from 2008-14.
“I am thrilled to join the Chicago Blackhawks broadcast booth at such a monumental time in the organization’s history”, said the 57-year-old Ball in a statement. “My family and I are extremely grateful to the Wirtz family for giving me the opportunity to join such a storied franchise. It will truly be an honor to call games for an Original Six team and to work with someone as incredibly talented and respected as Darren Pang.”
The 32-year-old Vosters was named the Blackhawks’ new play-by-play man in April 2022 replacing the retiring Pat Foley after four decades and took over for the season’s final eight games, paired with Eddie Olczyk. But Olczyk left at the end of the 2022-23 season and was replaced by Darren Pang. According to observers, the pairing was a disaster as the two didn’t mash well amid a “strained” relationship – especially as the team did not perform well on the ice. The Blackhawks are emphasizing Ball’s experience, as shown in the photo above.
Vosters had experience calling hockey at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2019 Women’s Final Four but lacked NHL experience. Similar to what we’re seeing with freshman White Sox voice John Schriffen, fan reaction to Vosters’ work was brutal but didn’t receive the nasty reception Schriffen has received thus far. Vosters was praised by the Blackhawks organization and on X by many, including Caley Chelios.