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Seattle Kraken Broadcasters and Announcers: Current Play-by-Play, Color Commentators, and Broadcast Details

The Seattle Kraken’s broadcast team combines regional sports TV coverage with national radio options for fans across the Pacific Northwest. This overview focuses on current an...

Mara Ellison
Seattle Kraken Broadcasters and Announcers: Current Play-by-Play, Color Commentators, and Broadcast Details

Seattle Kraken Television and Radio Announcers

The Seattle Kraken’s broadcast team combines regional sports TV coverage with national radio options for fans across the Pacific Northwest. This overview focuses on current and notable announcers, including play-by-play voices and color analysts who call games on TV and radio, streaming availability, and how to follow contests. Details reflect ongoing lineup patterns and verified announcements rather than short-term fill-in appearances.

Primary Broadcast Windows

Most Kraken regular-season games air on Root Sports Northwest for TV, with radio flagship on 950 KJR AM (English). National offerings include ESPN+, NHL Network, and occasional national radio on NHL.com and TuneIn. Understanding the primary windows helps predict which voices listeners and viewers will hear most often. Streaming and out-of-market options are available through NHL Center Ice and ESPN+ depending on licensing and geography.

Key Play-by-Play Announcers

The lead play-by-play voice on Root Sports Northwest is John Forslund, a long-time NHL broadcaster who provides consistent, play-by-play description for the majority of televised games. Forslund is widely recognized for clear pacing, neutral tone, and deep familiarity with Pacific Northwest hockey. For radio and select national windows, Dave Tomlinson has handled play-by-play on 950 KJR, complementing analysis with steady delivery and concise game narration.

John Forslund: Primary TV Voice

Forslund has been the consistent TV announcer for Kraken games on Root Sports Northwest. His background includes work in Carolina and other markets, bringing a professional cadence that aligns with the team’s broadcast standards. He focuses on play description, score updates, and period transitions while allowing partner commentators room for insight.

Dave Tomlinson: Radio and Fill-in Play-by-Play

Tomlinson is familiar to Seattle listeners from previous radio roles in the market and serves as a primary play-by-play voice on 950 KJR. He also steps in for TV when needed, maintaining continuity across platforms. His radio work often pairs with color analysts who break down positional play and special-team patterns in more conversational segments.

Color Commentators and Game Analysts

Color analysis on Root Sports Northwest is primarily provided by Brian Boucher, a former NHL goaltender known for detailed positional breakdowns and goalie-centric perspective. Boucher appears frequently on TV windows and contributes to studio shows, offering insight into defensive systems and goaltending trends. On radio, analysts such as former NHL defenseman Jamie Huscroft provide robust color with emphasis on physical play, structure, and in-game adjustments.

Brian Boucher: TV Color Authority

As a former goalie with extensive NHL experience, Boucher brings technical vocabulary and a methodical approach to game analysis. His segments often include tendencies, matchup breakdowns, and advanced metrics framed in accessible language. Viewers can expect consistent presence during prime-time and high-profile contests on television.

Radio Color Contributors

Radio broadcasts frequently feature Jamie Huscroft, who pairs play-by-play with candid observations and veteran insight. Additional contributors may include rotating guests from hockey operations or local beat reporters, particularly during extended road trips or special series. These voices add color commentary focused on intangibles, bench perspective, and regional context.

Notable Broadcast Lineup Details

Organized by medium and role, the table below summarizes verified primary assignments for announcers based on public schedule listings and network announcements. It reflects typical patterns rather than every fill-in or substitute, focusing on stable, recurring voices that fans can expect across the season.

Medium Role Announcer Typical Assignment
Root Sports Northwest (TV) Play-by-play John Forslund Most televised games
Root Sports Northwest (TV) Color Brian Boucher Frequent TV analysis
950 KJR AM (Radio) Play-by-play Dave Tomlinson Flagship radio
950 KJR AM (Radio) Color Jamie Huscroft (and guests) Radio analysis and guests

Streaming, Out-of-Market, and International Access

National streams on ESPN+ carry many games with either network commentary or separate production audio. NHL Center Ice remains the recommended option for out-of-market viewers who want full preseason and regular-season access. International fans can follow English audio streams through NHL platforms where licensing permits, while local rules may affect blackout windows in Pacific Northwest regions. Radio streams through TuneIn and the NHL app provide another dependable path for road games when TV windows are unavailable.

How to Follow Updates and Verify Lineups

For the latest announcer assignments, check the Kraken’s official broadcast schedule page, press releases, or trusted local sports media 24–48 hours before puck drop. Social channels often announce fill-in commentators for specific road trips, national TV windows, or special events. Subscribing to newsletter digests or enabling team app notifications can reduce guesswork and keep expectations aligned with confirmed lineups.

Summary of Primary Broadcast Team

Across TV and radio, the Seattle Kraken currently anchor broadcasts with Forslund on play-by-play TV, Boucher as lead color analyst on television, Tomlinson on play-by-play radio, and Huscroft contributing color on radio. This configuration balances seasoned NHL voices with Pacific Northwest hockey storytelling. Fans can rely on these patterns for most regular-season games while expecting occasional substitutions during nationally televised series or special circumstances. Tracking official channels ensures accurate, real-time broadcast details.

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