The Heavyweight Champion of Broadcasting for the Detroit Red Wings

By Bob Heyrman | Sep 9, 2018

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 27: Mickey Redmond, TV Color Analyst (L) and his partner Ken Daniels TV Play-by-Play Announcer (R) host the pre-game ceremonies for the Detroit Red Wings 1997 Stanley Cup Team, Twenty Year Anniversary prior to an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena on December 27, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The Sabres defeated the Wings 4-3. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

With the unusual and childish actions that have taken place in the Detroit Tigers play by play booth recently, we ask a corky question. Who would the Detroit Red Wings broadcast heavyweight champion be?

If you currently live under a rock, you wouldn’t have heard the news. Mario Impemba and Rod Allen got into a physical altercation in Chicago while the Tigers were in the midst of a series with the White Sox. With the Detroit Red Wings season fast approaching, we hope our radio and television personalities all continue to get along.

The allegations are not confirmed, but rumors were circulating that Impemba helped himself to Allen’s chair. Rod Allen didn’t appreciate it too much and “allegedly” started to choke Impemba from behind.

Although it has been documented Allen and Impemba haven’t gotten along in quite some time. In 2014 Fox Sports had to sit them down to work out some friction between the two. It’s a childish act from two parties which describe themselves as professionals. Impemba and Allen have both been banished from the Tigers booth for the remainder of the season.

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This brings us to the burning question. Who would be the Detroit Red Wings heavyweight champion of broadcasting?

The Detroit Red Wings radio voice Ken Kal ( Ken Kalczynski) can be heard on Detroit’s 97.1 the ticket. Kal has been calling Detroit Red Wings play-by-play on the radio broadcast for 20 plus seasons. Kal broke into the NHL with the Wings in 1995 and has remained in that seat since.

Often in transit with a Wings game blasting through the car’s speakers, Ken Kal’s signature scooooooooores call can be heard many car links ahead. Kal has that unique, high-pitched call that Detroit Red Wings fans are so eager to hear.

Kal’s partner in the booth is an analyst and former Detroit Red Wings player Paul Woods. Woods played his entire professional career with the Detroit Red Wings. Woods was a third-round pick but failed to appear in a game with the Montreal Canadians.

Woods played eight seasons with the Red Wings primarily throughout the 1980’s. Woods’ career totals are less than impressive. Woods appeared in 501 contests with the winged wheel on his chest. Woods recorded 196 total points. Woods scored 72 goals and added 124 assists.

The Detroit Red Wings television broadcast is anchored by the slick play-by-play calling from Ken Daniels. Ken Daniels has been part of the Wings organization since 1997. I remember Ken Daniels often appearing with his longtime friend and co-worker Mickey Redmond on UPN 50 in Detroit. Ray Lane use to be on the broadcast often, Ray always had a snarky comment that would put a smile on my face.

Daniels has a much more powerful pitch within his voice than Kal. When you think about it, we are lucky to have many exceptional play-by-play broadcasters calling professional sports games in our town.

While the Detroit Red Wings players were out golfing because their season came to an end early, Daniels received some additional work calling playoff hockey for the NBC networks.

Mikey Redmond was the Detroit Red Wings first 50 goal scorer. In fact, mick scored 50 plus in back to back seasons for the winged wheels. In a three-year span, Redmond scored 145 goals between 72-74.

When I think of Mickey Redmond in the broadcast booth, the first thing I picture is Mick saying “Bingo, Bango.” Redmond has many different “Mickeyisums” that provides the viewers a lot of terrific entertainment throughout the broadcast.

Chris Osgood and Darren Eliot have seen themselves along Ken Daniels’ side in the broadcast booth during road games with Redmond not making long road trips anymore. But let’s face it, these two together probably couldn’t take Redmond down.

I can confidently say Mickey Redmond would be the Detroit Red Wings broadcasting heavyweight champion. I would NOT recommend stealing Mickey’s chair! Redmond, I bet still has that “old man” strength.

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Redmond played in the late 60’s through the 70’s. An era where your hockey stick was a weapon. You will regularly hear Redmond laughing during a Red Wings telecast as a little tap on the hands is being called for a slash. I don’t think “slashing” existed in the 60’s, that was considered just a good defensive play.

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