Veteran Nanaimo Clippers broadcaster wins prestigious play-by-play award

Jul 24, 2018 | 4:38 PM

NANAIMO — For nearly 11 seasons, broadcaster Dan Marshall has painted a gripping and exciting picture of what’s happening on the ice with the Nanaimo Clippers. He’ll now call games with a prestigious new medal sitting in his trophy case.

Marshall was honoured with the Bernie Pascall Media award by the BC Hockey Hall of Fame on Friday, July 20. It’s presented annually to a hockey personality who “demonstrates commitment and dedication to the promotion within the game of hockey,” according to their website.

“Something this big where you’re talking about the BC Hockey Hall of Fame and people who have NHL connections, certainly it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever been part of and it’s really neat,” Marshall told NanaimoNewsNOW, where you can find weekly columns and articles from Marshall’s life on the road with the Clippers and the Harbour City’s top sports events.

“I wouldn’t have even expected to be in consideration. Junior A certainly isn’t at the top of the broadcasting world, so to be at the level and recognized in this way is humbling and shocking.”

Marshall was the play-by-play voice for the Pentiction Vees for eight years before moving to Nanaimo to be the voice of the Clippers ahead of the 2007-2008 campaign..

Marshall has called more than 1,000 BCHL games.

He’s also won the BCHL Broadcaster of the Year award twice.

Former Clippers assistant coach and assistant GM Michael Olsen said it’s a long overdue award.

“Dan Marshall is a true ambassador, not only for the Nanaimo Clippers but for all other franchises he was part of in the BCHL. The league is greater when Dan is involved. He’s a joy to listen to every night.”

With so many players coming to Nanaimo from all over the country, Olsen said it was a blessing to have a play-by-play broadcaster who could connect families and listeners to the riveting action on the ice.

“He does a wonderful job of putting it out on the table of how the game is being played and he’s got a great vocabulary. He’s able to explain the game with ease,” Olsen said.

“He’s a wonderful person, an even better friend and he’s one heck of a broadcaster.”

You can catch all of Marshall’s stories online at NanaimoNewsNOW, hear him on 106.9 The Wolf when the Clippers season starts on Friday, Aug. 24.

 

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