Bruins Beat
by Bob Morello
Bruins radio announcer gets golden job
They say all good things must come to an end, and the good fortune of Boston Bruins fans having 98.5 The Sports Hub’s radio play-by-play announcer Dave Goucher’s golden voice on board for 16 seasons is sadly over. Goucher will move to the television stage and become the TV face of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, teaming up with former Bruins defenseman Shane Hnidy, a member of the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup team.
Goucher, a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, replaced Bob Neumeier on radio broadcasts in 2000, and gained notoriety quickly, being named New England’s top radio play-by-play announcer for 2003, 2006, and 2007 by the Associated Press. Vice-President of programming for CBS Boston, Mike Thomas stated that a replacement for Goucher to sit alongside Bob Beers will be in place for the start of the regular season.
The Boston Bruins announced that the organization will embark on its first ever, seven-city Boston Bruins Fan Fest Tour that will visit each New England state from August 26 – August 31, with the mission to grow the game of hockey throughout the region. The final stop will take place in Boston, MA during Boston Bruins Training Camp, presented by AT&T, in September. During the tour, the Bruins expect to outfit over 4,000 kids (ages 4-9) who have signed up for the Bruins Academy Learn to Play program in brand new CCM hockey gear valued at $500 (retail value) per player for a total of $2,000,000 (retail value) worth of equipment dispersed to local communities.
Current Bruins players, coaches, executives and NESN personalities Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley are expected to be on hand throughout the tour to play games and mingle with fans, sign autographs, take photos, participate in Q&A sessions and much more. In addition to getting fitted for brand new equipment, youth hockey players will be able to participate in drill work and have the opportunity to partake in NESN virtual reality experiences. Boston Bruins BFit will also be on hand to lead kid-friendly fitness activities at each stop. Please note that player, coach, executive and NESN personality appearances will vary at each location and are subject to change.
Admission to each tour stop is FREE and fans are welcome and encouraged to participate in all of the event’s festivities. The tentative schedule for the tour:
Saturday, August 26 – Portland, ME at Monument Square, 12- 6pm. Sunday, August 27
Manchester, NH at Arms Park, 12-6pm, Manchester, NH. Monday, August 28 Burlington, VT at Burlington International Airport, 2-7pm. Tuesday, August 29
Springfield, MA at Forest Park, 2-7pm. Wednesday, August 30 Hartford, CT at Bushnell Park, 2-7pm. Thursday, August 31 Providence, RI at ALEX AND ANI City Center, 2-7pm. The final stop for the Boston Bruins Fan Fest Tour will take place in September during Boston Bruins Training Camp presented by AT&T. TD Bank representatives will be on site at each event and, at select locations, will be giving away B’s tickets to upcoming games at TD Garden. Gifford’s Ice Cream will also join the team’s trek around New England and will be scooping their “Power Play Fudge” ice cream flavor in exchange for one-dollar donations to the Boston Bruins Foundation.
The Bruins also announced that the team will again participate in the Prospects Challenge from September 8-11 at HarborCenter in Buffalo. This marks the third consecutive year the Bruins have participated in the challenge. The Bruins defeated New Jersey (4-3) and Buffalo (4-3) in last year’s Prospects Challenge. Bruins prospects who participated in last year’s tournament and also played in at least one regular season game with Boston in 2016-17 include forwards Anton Blidh, Peter Cehlarik, Danton Heinen, Sean Kuraly, defensemen Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, Rob O’Gara and goaltender Zane McIntyre. The Bruins’ rookies will compete against the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils’ rookies in the round-robin challenge featuring prospects from each team. The participating teams will each play three games during the course of the event, which is being held entirely at HarborCenter.