Gorillas broadcaster chosen as CHL Broadcaster of the Year
Published on June 7, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â The Amarillo Gorillas celebrated another first at the annual Central Hockey League Awards Banquet on Saturday night in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gorillas Play-by-Play Broadcaster Denis J. Puska was presented with the Central Hockey League's Broadcaster of the Year during the ceremony. The award is presented annually to the broadcaster who best exemplifies the qualities of excellent and professionalism in the broadcasting field.
"When considering several outstanding candidates as 2003-2004 CHL Broadcaster of the Year, our discussion invariably returned to Denis Puska and the passion and excitement he regularly displays during his broadcasts," said Central Hockey League's Vice President of Communications Steve Cherwonak.
"We proudly recognize Denis' efforts, and thank him for his significant promotion of both the Amarillo Gorillas and the Central Hockey League."
This is the first time in Amarillo Professional Hockey history that a play-by-play broadcaster has ever received the award.
"I am very touched and still in somewhat of a state of shock over the announcement, and I cannot express enough what this award means to me," said Puska, who will start his fourth year in Amarillo and third with the Gorillas. "I want to thank Joe Ferras and Brian Pellerin for assembling a great hockey team to call every night. The two gentlemen are great role models in the office and within the organization and they set the bar at a high level to achieve. It is an honor to work along side such great professionals and first class people."
Puska, a native of Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada, was selected as a member of the 2004 CHL All-Star Broadcast team in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was nominated for the CHL's Broadcaster of the Year one year ago. He has been calling hockey games at all levels since the age of 14 and the award culminates four years of hard work.
"Fours years ago at this time I had announced that I was leaving my hometown newspaper in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada, to go into the great unknown and move to Cleveland, Ohio in hopes of securing a broadcasting job with a professional hockey team," said Puska. "I had sent out 14 broadcast tapes and resumes to different teams in all leagues across the United States before I was given the opportunity in Amarillo."
"I am so happy that Denis has been recognized for all his commitment and dedication, not only for his broadcasting but for his relentless passion and work ethic towards the Gorilllas' hockey club," said Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras. "Personally, and as an organization, we are all very proud of Denis' accomplishment."
The Amarillo Gorillas are gearing up for their third season this October in the Central Hockey League. Full and partial season ticket packages as well as Corporate Partnerships are currently available for the 2004-2005 season. For further information please call the Gorillas hockey office at 242-7825 or drop by 1934 Civic Circle just off of I-40 and Georgia.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 7, 2004
- Ice Bats Top Marketing Team - Austin Ice Bats
- RiverKings play in memorial tournament honoring Special Olympics athlete - Mississippi RiverKings
- Preston Captures Ticket Award - Laredo Bucks
- Memphis RiverKings recognized for excellence in game operations for second straight year - Mississippi RiverKings
- Gorillas broadcaster chosen as CHL Broadcaster of the Year - Amarillo Gorillas
- Let's make it official - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Killer Bees Earn CHL Franchise of the Year Honor - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
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