NAHL Houston Bulls hire Ben Canvasser as team broadcaster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ben Canvasser has been hired by the North American Hockey League’s Houston Bulls to be the team’s broadcaster and play-by-play analyst.
This latest announcement comes ahead of the NAHL team’s inaugural season after the League announced back in March that the North Iowa team would be relocating to the major Texas city of Houston. Former National Hockey League player Nathan Oystrick — who played with the St. Louis Blues (2010-11) and appeared in the NHL from 2008-11 — was announced as the team's Head Coach. AJ Ruskowski will serve as both the Assistant and Goaltending Coach. The development surrounding Canvasser’s hiring comes after the Bulls sold out of season tickets, with inquiries reaching over 4,000.
Canvasser grew up playing youth and travel hockey in Michigan. He’s recently been calling games for the Big Mountain Hockey Conference and was on the call for the eighth annual Big Mountain Classic — one of the premier American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) showcases.
Canvasser said in an exclusive that part of what excites him so much about this opportunity with the Bulls is to be able to articulate the team’s story from the beginning.
“Houston is such a rabid hockey town that doesn’t have a hockey team or didn’t have a hockey team for quite some time until the Bulls came,” said Canvasser. “I thought this would be such an awesome opportunity for me — I like to be a storyteller when I’m broadcasting, and I’m looking forward to telling the story of the resurgence of hockey in Houston.”
Bulls bring on Ben Canvasser to team's staff
The University of Michigan and Colorado Media School alum does not yet own his first pair of cowboy boots, but does indeed own a cowboy hat and is looking forward to purchasing his first pair of boots.
In addition, he detailed how excited he is to try some Texas barbecue and tex-mex.
Back to the NAHL — Canvasser said this League in particular will be unique for him because it is known for helping everyone reach the next level.
“In this league and junior hockey in particular, you find all sorts of these stories, and those are the ones I'm really looking forward to getting to know from the players and from the coaching staff,” Canvasser also said. “That was the big draw for me was that everybody in this organization from the players, to the coaching staff, me, the front office — everybody has a dream, and this is the league where you know you make those dreams really happen.”
COURTESY: Ben Canvasser
Houston's season will start with an away matchup at the Shreveport Mudbugs on both Sept. 11 and Sept. 12. The Bulls' home opener is to take place at the Deep South Ice Sports Plex in Richmond, Texas on Oct. 2 against the Lone Star Brahmas.
The home venue is currently being constructed on schedule and coming along well, with the site to be completed with 14 suites, 1,800 seats and a second NHL size practice ice sheet.
Maroon, cream and white jerseys featuring Texas-themed detailing were unveiled in July, and a roster announcement is expected by early Sept.
Single game tickets will go live within the next month — and fans can expect to both hear and see Canvasser in the booth, resting assured he will be helping to shape the Bulls’ narrative as they help return hockey to the city.
“I'm a passionate storyteller of the game, so finding the plot line to the game is very important to me,” Canvasser also said.
The Bulls are expected to have a play style centered around intensity and aggression, with the coaching staff wanting to bring the Lone Star State an exciting game.
MORE:NAHL Houston Bulls sell out season tickets ahead of inaugural season