ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues announced some big changes to their broadcast team and way they present Blues hockey effective immediately and moving forward into the 2025-26 season.
The Blues, FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN on Thursday jointly announced related to their game broadcast and studio shows beginning next season that longtime radio play-by-play voice Chris Kerber and analyst Joey Vitale will be advancing to the television booth as part of a new simulcast model with 101 ESPN. And John Kelly, the team's longtime television play-by-play announcer, surprisingly will not return to a role he's held since 2005 as part of the restructuring.
The move by the team and television network includes new hosting roles for the Blues LIVE pregame and postgame shows as well as in-game reporting duties.
Additional changes to the broadcasting lineup include Jamie Rivers returning to his role as a Blues LIVE analyst, his role from 2009-23 before sliding over to the game analyst chair the last two years when he replaced Darren Pang, who took a similar role as lead commentator of the Chicago Blackhawks at Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) as well as nationally for TNT.
Bernie Federko returns for his 25th season on the Blues broadcast team, and he will be joined by Chris Pronger, who will now have a greater role with Blues LIVE and FanDuel Sports Network among his other media commitments. Andy Strickland expands his role as rinkside reporter to include Blues home and road games and also hosting Blues LIVE for road games. Scott Warmann continues his Blues LIVE hosting duties for home games. Alexa Datt has concluded her four-year stint hosting Blues LIVE.
“Chris Kerber arrived 25 years ago this summer to the St. Louis Blues, establishing himself early on as one of the league’s most energetic and colorful radio play-by-play voices,” Blues president and CEO of business operations Chris Zimmerman said in a press release. “The Blues and FanDuel Sports Network believe that Chris has earned this moment and opportunity to connect with a much broader audience. When factoring in the exceptional chemistry and relationship Chris has had with Joey Vitale as his radio analyst over the past seven seasons, we are confident the Blues and FanDuel Sports Network will offer our fans the best television and streaming experience in the game, all while continuing to serve listeners with the same quality product on 101 ESPN.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chris and Joey to an expanded role on our television coverage,” Norby Williamson, president of production and programming at FanDuel Sports Network, said in a statement. “Their natural chemistry, deep knowledge of the game, and passion for Blues hockey make them a perfect fit for this next chapter. This move allows us to deliver a more unified and dynamic broadcast experience to fans across all platforms.”
“We’re proud to be able to share the trusted voices of Chris Kerber and Joey Vitale with the Blues’ television and streaming audience moving forward, while continuing to bring St. Louis Blues hockey to fans on 101 ESPN,” John Kijowski, president of Hubbard Radio St. Louis, said in a statement. “Chris and Joey have built a strong connection with our listeners, and their insight, energy, and love for the game are unmatched. As platforms evolve, we are excited by the fact that all Blues fans will get the consistent passion and precision that Chris and Joey bring to every call.”
Kelly, son of legendary voice of the Blues Dan Kelly, served in the Blues’ television booth early in his NHL career before taking the lead television play-by-play roles for the Tampa Bay Lightning (1992-1995) and Colorado Avalanche (1995-2004) before returning to St. Louis and helping call the franchise's first Stanley Cup in 2019.
Kelly returned to St. Louis beginning with the 2005-2006 season to handle Blues play-by-play on Fox Sports Midwest, the team’s television rightsholder at the time.
“John Kelly’s legacy as the television voice of the Blues will forever be treasured and respected,” Zimmerman said. “John holds a place of high honor with the St. Louis Blues, and we plan to pay tribute to John and his amazing career calling our games in the season ahead. John Kelly will always be part of our family.”
“We want to sincerely thank John for his exceptional work in the booth throughout his career,” Williamson added. “He’s been a true pro and solid ambassador for the Blues organization, and we deeply appreciate the impact he’s made over the years.”
The Blues and FanDuel Sports Network are entering the second year of a multi-year agreement. Together, in coordination with 101 ESPN, they are envisioning a new model that will provide exciting telecasts that connect with a variety of audiences across television, streaming and radio.
“The landscape for local broadcasting rights is in constant change throughout the industry, and that is certainly true here in St. Louis as well,” Zimmerman said. “We’re extremely encouraged as to what is possible on FanDuel Sports Network. They’re a team of visionaries and the very best at what they do, and that’s good news for Blues fans.”
Among the planned moves to enhance the Blues LIVE pre, post and intermission shows, the desk location for home games at Enterprise Center will move to a fan-friendly location within the venue to enable greater fan interaction and engagement. Details will be announced at a later date closer to the start of the season, along with local and national broadcast schedules and the potential for an over-the-air simulcast partnership to expand the reach of the FanDuel Sports Network broadcasts.