2016 MN Hockey Mag Special Tournament Edition

Welcome
“stars” that win the games. It is important that I am
able to talk about all these types of players. We do
meet as a staff, producers, hosts and analysts to
discuss players, teams and possible story lines and
many more topics too numerous to mention.
Armed with all this information, remembering
all our discussions, calls to coaches, reading of stats
what is it like on the set. Energized, chaotic, hectic,
frenzied, calming! As each tournament develops its
own stories each broadcast session is new. Other
than stories done in advance, the broadcast team
needs to recap and tell the story of the game taking
place. That would seem a synch but each of us sees
the play a little differently and our producer has
his vision also. When the game clock gets close to
3:00 minutes remaining in the period our producer
comes to the set to discuss ideas of what we should
emphasize. He also informs us of the graphics and
replays we will see.
While I am jotting down a note or two about the
producers ideas or talking with my co-analyst about
my talking points and what they will be saying, our
hosts, Tom Hauser or Joe Schmit, will inform the
analysts what order he will be coming to us. We
also discuss what our story line will be and how he
will use that to lead us into this broadcast segment.
Joe and Tom are great at their jobs and without
them I would be lost at times. All of this seems
rather mundane, easy to handle but like the games
themselves there is always a twist.
Just before we go live, our producer “is in our ear”
to say we can’t get this video or highlights are in
a different order or worst of all we are using some
new highlights we never discussed. Remember that
while this is taking place the game clock is “quickly”
winding down. This is live television, I do not get
a second chance to get it right and I do not get a
second chance to make sure I give the right player
the credit for the play; I do not get a second chance
to make a MOM and DAD proud or give that player
his recognition.
As the clock winds down and these frantic
discussions take place I really do begin to scramble.
I have not memorized the roster names and
numbers. When the high lights come up there is a
play I need to describe or a thought I need to deliver
and I have to get it right. I have to be able to get
the information correct while I make eye contact
with one camera and then another camera, give the
correct information while I look relaxed composed,
convincing and confident. The picture of the duck
in a pond pops up in here, calm above water but
pedaling hard underwater…
Everyone likes to talk and put a mic in front me
and well, I have a hard time not talking for a long
time. The secret to being a good analyst is being
able to get your point(s) across in as few words as
possible so all on the set have an equal opportunity
to tell their story: that maybe the most difficult part
of broadcasting, editing your comments in a matter
of a few seconds and creating coherent thoughts
that are easy for everyone to understand.
Above all I have to be fair and unbiased. I need to
put away any ties or feeling I may have to a school
or player and give an honest report. No matter who
is winning or losing, there is a story on each side of
the puck I need to tell. Not everyone who views the
broadcast agrees with my being unbiased. Viewers
will say I favor one team by the comments I made or
I did not mention X that made a great play, etc. The
complaints even include the color of my tie. If that
color is part of a team’s color scheme, I must favor
that team.
“No matter who is
winning or losing,
there is a story on
each side of the
puck I need to tell.
— MICHAEL MCGRAW
These tournament broadcasts are important
to each school, the individual player, parents and
especially to the smaller outstate cities. It is their
time to shine and my time to highlight the players
and plays that stand out in each game. I get that
one opportunity and only one to get it right for the
player.
I am very fortunate to be able to do these
broadcasts and thankful that the Minnesota hockey
community has been so welcoming of The Professor.
Now I am off to the Professor’s study to do my
reading.
— THE PROFESSOR: MICHAEL MCGRAW
2016 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ HOCKEY TOURNAMENT GUIDE
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