In any profession, the goal is to work your way up through every level to get to the top.
After four years in West Kelowna, for Chase Johnston, it香蕉视频直播檚 his time to move up to the next level. On Sept. 12, the now former West Kelowna Warriors broadcaster and director of business development and communications announced he香蕉视频直播檚 been named the new play-by-play broadcaster for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.
馃毃RADIO BROADCAST NEWS馃毃
香蕉视频直播� Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings)
The Wheat Kings are proud to announce the return of Wheat Kings hockey to and welcome Chase Johnston as the clubs new play by play voice!
Welcome to the BWK @CJohnstonBCHL!
Officially official. 馃
香蕉视频直播� Chase Johnston (@CJohnstonWHL)
Johnston first reached out to the Wheat Kings about the position in the spring, but the team didn香蕉视频直播檛 interview him or anyone else as they we香蕉视频直播檙e figuring out their radio in town. On the first day of Wheat Kings training camp on Sept. 2, with just three weeks until the start of the season, the team called Johnston and offered him the job.
香蕉视频直播淚 think for me, once I found out it was real, it was a little emotional for me.香蕉视频直播�
Coming out of BCIT香蕉视频直播檚 broadcasting school in 2018, Johnston had a goal and a five-year plan. With his new job, he reached his goal with a year to spare.
Johnston got the job as the Warriors play-by-play broadcaster in 2018, when it was 香蕉视频直播榓 much different time for the Warriors organization香蕉视频直播�, with his first day being what香蕉视频直播檚 known as 香蕉视频直播楪rimmer Gate香蕉视频直播� in the organization. That year was his first as a full time broadcaster and calls it one of his favourite seasons in West Kelowna.
During his time with the Warriors, the team went through an ownership change. When the new ownership took over, Johnston was one of only a few members to stay with the organization. With him leaving after four seasons, he香蕉视频直播檚 one of the longest tenured members in the organization香蕉视频直播檚 history.
Johnston said that the pandemic was a tough time because when there香蕉视频直播檚 no hockey, there香蕉视频直播檚 no work but he has the utmost respect for what the new ownership and coaching staff did to help him grow.
香蕉视频直播淭he new ownership really helped me become a better person, a better broadcaster, a better marketer, [and] I香蕉视频直播檓 really thrilled with the outcome of where I am today because there香蕉视频直播檚 no way I香蕉视频直播檓 probably getting hired by a western league team if it wasn香蕉视频直播檛 for the guidance of the new ownership and coaching staff,香蕉视频直播� said Johnston.
When Johnston needed to move in the height of the pandemic, Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Simon Ferguson brought Johnston into his house and opened his basement suite for him. Over the last year, Johnston also transitioned into a bigger role in the organization, working on the marketing and business side as well and said Team President Chris Laurie was a huge help during that learning curve.
On top of that, it香蕉视频直播檚 been all about the people for Johnston.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not about the job, it香蕉视频直播檚 not about the sport, it香蕉视频直播檚 about the people.香蕉视频直播�
Johnston mentioned one fan in-particular, who gifted him a bingo card of all of his different play-by-play calls from his broadcasts.
For Johnston, it was time to take the next step.
香蕉视频直播淚 sacrificed a lot to be where I am and not a lot of people sacrifice that. There香蕉视频直播檚 so many people in my position if they have a wife, they have kids that hang up the microphone and find themselves doing something else.香蕉视频直播�
Over the last few months, Johnston also became the play-by-play commentator for the Okanagan Sun football team. While he香蕉视频直播檚 moving on, he香蕉视频直播檚 going to continue to run the Sun香蕉视频直播檚 social media channels and writing for the team.
Familiar Face
In an announcement on Wednesday, the Warriors named and welcomed back Trevor Miller to the team taking over for Johnston. Miller was the team香蕉视频直播檚 broadcaster from for two seasons, from 2016-18, before Johnston took the role.
In the 2018-19 season, Miller was named the BCHL Broadcaster of the Year after a season with the Trail Smoke Eaters. He just spent the last three seasons being the voice of his hometown Penticton Vees.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 very excited to be joining the Warriors organization once again and coming back to a place where I began my broadcasting career in the BCHL,香蕉视频直播� said Miller.
香蕉视频直播淭revor Miller is the best in the BCHL to take over my role,香蕉视频直播� said Johnston. 香蕉视频直播淚 have an opportunity that I couldn香蕉视频直播檛 pass up that I believe is the right decision for my long term goals.香蕉视频直播�
The Warriors have one more preseason game in Vernon against the Vipers on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The regular season begins on Friday, Sept. 23 when the Warriors take on the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
READ MORE: Season Preview: Marquee names take shape on West Kelowna Warriors roster
READ MORE: Kelowna teen rides across Canada over the summer
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
