Mike Benton Named Aces Play-by-Play Announcer
Published on August 22, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
The Alaska Aces today announced that Mike Benton has been named to the team's position of play-by-play announcer and director of media relations. Benton will deliver the call of all Aces games via radio station 103.7 FM and 750AM KFQD and all home and playoff television broadcasts, with further telecast details to be announced soon.
"We're extremely excited to bring in an individual with the on-air talent and credentials of Mike Benton," said Terry Parks, Aces managing partner. "He is gaining a reputation as one of the most outstanding broadcasters in minor league hockey and brings an excellent play calling ability that we're confident Aces fans will enjoy every game. He also carries an impressive, multi-faceted skill set that is a terrific fit for the growth we envision as an organization."
Benton, 32, will also handle day-to-day media activities of the organization, serving as a liaison for all media inquiries while overseeing the development of Aces digital video content. He carries nearly 700 regular season and playoff games of play-by-play experience behind the mic as a broadcaster in minor league hockey, previously serving the Stockton Thunder for eight seasons.
He also served the Thunder in numerous capacities away from the broadcast booth including media relations, digital video content, corporate sales, website management, social media, and ticket sales.
The native of Azusa, Calif. additionally handled play-by-play duties for the team's telecasts on Comcast Hometown Network and has been selected by the ECHL to call their annual All-Star Game radio broadcast on three separate occasions. He was a recipient of the ECHL Media Relations Award of Excellence in 2009 in a vote determined by the league's media relations directors, broadcasters, and members of the media.
Benton's on-air experience extends to color commentary and rinkside reporting roles at the Vancouver Canucks YoungStars Tournament in 2010 and 2011 which included budding NHL prospects Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Sven Baertschi, and Cam Fowler. He has also served in freelance roles for the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks websites, including contributing reports at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"The opportunity to serve in a capacity, both on and off the air, with an esteemed organization like the Alaska Aces is an exciting and incredible privilege," said Benton. "The Aces have a commanding track record of success both on and off the ice, an unwavering connection with the community, and an outstanding reputation of NHL development."
Benton continued, "One of the benefits of serving in this capacity is an instant understanding of how much of an impact wonderful colleagues like Jack Michaels and Josh Bogorad made with Aces fans and the organization. Similar to my predecessors, it's an important priority of mine to establish rapport with listeners, viewers, and the surrounding community. I'm looking forward to delivering an informative and entertaining broadcast every night and can't wait to get started."
In addition to his work in professional hockey, Benton was a "SportsCenter" update anchor and host for KESP AM 970 (Stockton/Modesto's ESPN Radio affiliate) and the primary play-by-play announcer for the Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league from 2006-09. He also provided play-by-play call in minor league baseball for the Dayton Dragons and High Desert Mavericks and in women's college basketball for the University of California-Riverside from 2004-05.
A 2004 graduate of Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies, Benton also served as a correspondent/field producer on ESPN2's Los Angeles-area "Valley Sports2" magazine show while enrolled in school. He will be relocating to the Anchorage area with his wife, Amy.
Benton succeeds Josh Bogorad, who accepted a position on Aug. 13 as radio co-host for the Dallas Stars.
Benton's first call for the Aces will come on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in the 2013-14 preseason opener at Sullivan Arena, starting at 7:15 p.m. against the Cincinnati Cyclones. The night will also launch the Aces' seventh annual "Paint The Rink Pink" event, benefitting the local fight against breast cancer.
Season tickets and individual game tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call the Aces office at (907) 258-ACES or visit www.alaskaaces.com.
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