The Coquitlam Express is looking for a new voice.
Eddie Gregory, the only play-by-play announcer the BC Hockey League (BCHL) team has ever known, is moving down the Trans-Canada Highway to call games for the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Vancouver Giants.
In a message posted to his social media accounts, Gregory said being the voice of the Express was “something I dreamed of doing growing up, and to have the opportunity to do something I truly loved where I grew up was incredible.”
Gregory, 40, had just embarked upon his post-secondary studies in broadcasting at BCIT in 2001 when the Express called looking for an announcer.
“Me and another student took the call,” Gregory said. “I never looked back.”
The broadcaster, who’s also worked as a producer for several shows at TEAM/TSN1040 and Sportsnet 650, said amongst his highlights working with the Express was the team’s run to a Royal Bank national championship in 2006 when it was based in Burnaby.
He said the 2020 team could have had similar success had its season not been cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One can only wonder,” Gregory said, adding, “My time with the Express will always be something I cherish.”
In a statement on the Giants’ website, Gregory said he looks forward to seeing the WHL team make its “next step in their growth” after it upset the top-seeded Everett Silvertips in the first round of last spring’s playoffs before falling to the Kamloops Blazers in six games in the second round.
Gregory’s move to the Giants follows the footsteps of another Coquitlam hockey broadcaster.
Brendan Batchelor called games for the WHL team before taking the mic as the Vancouver Canucks’ play-by-play man in 2017.
Port Moody resident Al Murdoch is also the public address announcer for the Canucks.
