The Blue Jackets have chosen their new public address announcer for Nationwide Arena. More: Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski wants to stay with team 'long term' Josh Hunter, who has previously worked with the NHL's Seattle Kraken and Colorado Avalanche among numerous PA roles, will replace Greg Murray as the second arena announcer in franchise history. Hunter revealed the decision Aug. 17 on social media and the Dispatch has confirmed it.
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Murray retired last season after 25 years in the role. "Thank you to the Blue Jackets organization for trusting me with this role and for allowing me to follow in the footsteps of the great Greg Murray," Hunter wrote in a statement posted on Instagram. "I’m also humbled knowing how talented the finalist group was." Hunter is originally from Wyoming and, according to his LinkedIn account, worked the past three seasons as the public address announcer for the University of Wyoming's football team while handling part-time roles for Colorado College, the University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado and the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League.
Hunter was hired by the Kraken in 2021 as the team's first public address announcer. According to his LinkedIn, he made it halfway through the season before his financial situation, which required him to commute from Colorado to Seattle rather than immediately moving to the Pacific Northwest, made it impossible for him to continue in the role. Hunter's work experience also includes working matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and part-time stints for the NFL's Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rapids of MLS. Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets choose Greg Murray's replacement as PA voice