Ponticelli became the first woman to call WHL play-by-play on AccessNow TV earlier this year.
Daniella Ponticelli's sports broadcasting career has been nothing short of incredible. From calling roller derby matches to becoming the first woman ever to call WHL play-by-play on AccessNow TV, she continues to be a shining example of how hard work does pay off. A name you should get familiar with; it shouldn't be long before her name becomes synonymous with play-by-play.
Over her broadcasting career, Ponticelli has acted in many roles. She started off in the news before eventually transitioning to the sports world. After some time in the roller derby world, she was given her first opportunity in hockey, which, as she explains, was a historic moment at the time.
"I started out in newspapers, not sports-focused, but just general news more than a decade ago in 2012," said Ponticelli. "I've been in all types of media, newspapers, television, radio, and digital since then. I've worked in Brandon, Manitoba, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Regina. I really made my full-time transition into sports on a freelance basis in December of 2021. That's when I really started focusing on sports, and part of what led to that was getting the job as the voice of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's hockey team. At the time, that was groundbreaking because it was the first time in North America that a private broadcaster, which in this case was Jim Patterson Radio, committed to an entire season of women's hockey."
It didn't take long for Ponticelli to once again make history on October 11, 2023, as she became the first-ever woman to call play-by-play for AccessNow TV. While she had been in the broadcast booth before as a colour commentator for Regina Pats games, this would be her first opportunity to be the lead voice for a broadcast. As she explains, it was a special experience and one she is very grateful for.
"It's such an honour, and it's the league that I've always held in the highest regard. I've had a chance to be a fan in this league. I've had a chance to be an in-game host in this league. Did a teddy bear toss game, which was really fun, but to be able to step into the booth, which is something so few women have had a chance to do, and in this case, had never done before for television broadcasts. It is just really humbling. It's always such an exciting moment because I know I'm not going to be the last, and that's kind of the best part. The best part about being a first is that you're not going to be the last, and it's such a great thing because I never imagined this for myself. Right? I'm just me. I love what I'm doing. I'm just trying to get better at it, trying to find opportunities to do it. It was an incredible opportunity for sure."
As for some of the voices Ponticelli looked up to on her journey, the list features quite a few legends. From Sarina Mytopher, who was the first ever woman to call WHL play-by-play on the radio, to Chris Cuthbert and Les Lazaruk, there are many in the hockey broadcast world that she has drawn inspiration from. As for who has been the most inspirational, you have to look outside the hockey world to a woman who has been calling basketball since the 90s.
"I've just always enjoyed a great voice. When I think of women in this role, I always jump to Doris Burke. Right now, I don't call basketball, but I love what she has done in the NBA, and I think she's the best. I appreciate everything she's done. I think she's incredible. I lived and worked in Winnipeg for a while, so obviously, I knew people like Leah Hextall. Hadn't met her in person but knew what she was doing and knew that what she was doing was pretty groundbreaking."
Over her career, Ponticelli has had some amazing opportunities. On top of the WHL, she has worked a variety of broadcasts, including USPORTS where she also made history as the first woman to ever call football, the CFL, the National Lacrosse League and the 2023 IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship. During that time, she has picked up a few tricks of the trade including one piece of advice that she says is pivotal to any successful broadcast.
"One of the best pieces of advice I was told was to know your rosters know your rosters, know your rosters. If you don't have to think about the number and the name, it makes everything else come together and so much nicer. Having a start in radio was huge because you have to explain everything all the time. Television is about actually breaking things down a little bit. People are watching the game, right? They can see what's going on. It's about telling the story and assisting with what people are seeing as opposed to painting the entire picture for radio."
One experience Ponticelli won't soon forget is working games featuring former WHL phenom Connor Bedard. While she didn't call play-by-play while he was part of the Pats, she did act as a colour commentator and rink-side reporter for some of his games. As she explains, it was hard not to be amazed by what he was doing on the ice but also how he was maturing off it.
"So I got to do colour for at least a dozen of games that he played in, and it was just always a treat. It's hard because you don't want to just be sitting in the booth being a fan, but he's just so impressive. I think one of the things that I always appreciated about him is there was such a spotlight, right? I mean, obviously well deserved, but he came in here so young, and he still is so young. The amount of maturity and poise that this person has. It's been amazing to see this trajectory, and it is so well deserved. Regina was so spoiled to have him."
As for a special memory while watching Bedard, that came on February 17 against the Prince Albert Raiders. Sitting on 48 goals and 96 points, the Pats captain needed to have a special game to register not just his 50th goal but also his 100th point of the season. When asked by her play-by-play partner that night if the now Chicago Blackhawk would achieve the feat, Ponticelli did not hesitate with her response.
"One of my favourite broadcasting moments as a colour commentator was getting to watch that game where he crossed the 50-goal mark and the 100 points. It was a night where you could do both, and they're like, he needs to get two goals at least and then obviously four points in total. I remember I was working with Darren Dupont, and he asked, Do you think he's gonna get it and I said, absolutely. No beat, no pause, he's definitely going to do it, and then he did it. You can't bet against this kid. He's so driven and so motivated."
Ponticelli is not just a special talent but should inspire anyone wanting to go into sports broadcasting. Whether in front of the mic or behind the camera, she is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed in the industry. Someone who is helping to lay the foundation for female broadcasters in Western Canada, her influence will hopefully lead to more women getting opportunities behind the mic in the WHL.