Gulls Name Andy Zilch New Play-by-Play Broadcaster
Aug 14, 2018The Gulls have named Andy Zilch television and radio play-by-play announcer. Zilch becomes the voice of the Gulls for all regular and postseason games televised on FOX 5 San Diego and aired on the club’s flagship radio stations at Broadcast Company of the Americas, The Mighty 1090-AM and ESPN 1700-AM.
Zilch joins the Gulls after spending the past six seasons calling professional hockey in the National Hockey League (NHL), AHL and ECHL. Zilch spent the past two seasons as the Utica Comets play-by-play broadcaster and Director of Communications for the AHL club. During the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic, Zilch was the radio play-by-play broadcaster for league’s flagship event on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.
“We believe Andy Zilch is the perfect fit for our hockey club and will bring Gulls fans an incredible perspective of the game with his wealth of professional hockey experience announcing games in the NHL, AHL and ECHL the past six years,” said Gulls President of Business Operations Matt Savant. “Andy’s exciting call and engaging persona will connect and resonate with San Diego hockey fans, while helping grow hockey in our community.”
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Zilch spent the 2014-15 and 2015-16 AHL seasons as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Springfield Falcons of the AHL in addition to serving as the club’s Manager of Communications. In 2015, Zilch was selected by the St. Louis Blues to fill in for radio play-by-play broadcaster Chris Kerber.
“I am thrilled to join this prestigious organization with several opportunities to advance my career and continue to be molded by a profound leadership group,” said Zilch. “The ability to engage with the community excites me along with meeting the passionate fan base that has certainly made an impact across the league. I am looking forward to the first game and more importantly, the home opener to experience first-hand how great these fans truly are.”
Prior to his AHL career, Zilch spent two seasons with the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL, serving as the voice of the hockey club and overseeing media relations.
He also served as a broadcast intern with both the St. Louis Blues (2010-12) and St. Louis Rams (2006-09). Earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communications at Lindenwood University, Zilch served three years as the television and radio play-by-play announcer for men’s and women’s ice hockey, as well as men’s roller hockey. He also called the 2006 Division I women’s national championship game.
In addition to his television and radio play-by-play duties, Zilch will be a frequent contributor on all of the Gulls’ digital platforms. Zilch will host weekly podcasts and video features, which will be available on the team’s website, social media platforms and mobile app, and he will contribute written features to the team’s website and game-day program. Zilch will also represent the club at its Signature Events and a plethora of community events that help connect the team to the community and provide educational opportunities, broaden access to the sport of hockey and address the health and wellness needs of the San Diego community.
Zilch will join Gulls color analyst BJ MacPherson in the broadcast booth, with MacPherson having called all 102 home games during the club’s first three seasons. MacPherson played 774 games of professional hockey in the AHL, West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) and International Hockey League from 1994-2001 and was a member of the WCHL Gulls from 1996-2001 where he scored 137-208=345 points and won four Taylor Cups with San Diego.
Radio coverage of the Gulls’ 2018-19 season begins on Friday, Oct. 6 with the club’s season-opening game at the Tucson Roadrunners (7:05 p.m. PT). FOX 5 San Diego will televise the team’s Home Opener on Friday, Oct. 12 vs. the Tucson Roadrunners (7 p.m.). San Diego’s full television and radio schedules will be released at a later date.