Devilsdude530 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.../606080348/1119 Hennessy, Velischek booted from radio booth BY MIKE KERWICK GANNETT NEW JERSEY In a move that strips the radio booth of two links to the team's short-but-victory-laden past, the Devils are sweeping out two voices of winter who called hockey during New Jersey's championship seasons. John Hennessy and Randy Velischek, the radio voices of the Devils, will not be in the booth for the 2006-07 hockey season. "We just made a decision we will be making both a play-by-play and color (commentary)... change," said Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello. Velischek has been the color voice of the Devils dating back to the 1995 season. Hennessy has called 327 Devils regular season games and 44 playoff contests, including the team's victory in Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals. "I'm surprised and saddened by their decision," Hennessy said. "But I have a great deal of respect for Lou and I accept his decision. In fact, I'm indebted to Lou and the Devils organization for letting me realize my dream of being an NHL broadcaster." Velischek, a former Devils defenseman whose relationship with Lamoriello stretches all the way back to Providence College, did not return a phone message left for him Wednesday. Lamoriello said the Devils have yet to name replacements for the two posts. Ken Daneyko, the three-Cup defenseman who has done television work for Fox Sports and would seem a natural fit, said he was not interested in the job Wednesday afternoon. Hennessy said the timing is unfortunate because he has never been more passionate about the game. "For me," Hennessy said, "I guess it's time to test the waters and see what other opportunities exist." Dowd a Devil? Jim Dowd, an unrestricted free agent from Brick who skated this past season for Chicago and Colorado, wants to spend the upcoming season in a Devils sweater. "If I did have a choice," Dowd said, "my No. 1 choice would be to play back in New Jersey." Dowd will turn 38 in December. He scored five goals and had 13 assists in 78 games. A fan favorite in the Garden State, Dowd scored the game-winning goal for New Jersey in Game 2 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals. Only his most recent employer, the Colorado Avalanche, can negotiate for Dowd's services at the moment. On July 1, Dowd can talk to other teams, including the Devils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aylbert Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Dowd doesnt fit here... sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puckrock Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I've always loved Jim Dowd it would be great to see him come back to New Jersey. He may not be the player he was back in 1995, but he still looks good on the ice every time I see him play. Something to keep in the memory bank, we'll see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas0nMacIsaac Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Dowd does fit here...he is small fast defensive forward. Would be excellent on the 4th line or even switching to RW on the Pandolfo Madden line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Dowd can sign here, if he would take a two-contract at league minimum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I don't care about Dowd but I think it sucks Hennessy and Velischeck were fired. They always did a good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOTCB Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I met Velischeck several times while interning with the Devils and must say he is a true gentleman. While I not saying Velischeck was awesome on the radio, he did have his good moments as an announcer with the Devils. Sucks to see good people get fired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimaira_Devil_#9 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 It really sucks about john and randy i pretty much have to listen to every game on the radio, unless i am lucky with the tv schedule , and both the guys were awsome, they really felt ever goal and every hit and made it feel like i was in the arena. PROPPER SUCKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I was never much of a Hennessy fan (Mike Miller will always be the voice of the Devils to me), but I liked Velischek and don't see why Lou gave them both the ax. Jim Dowd doesn't fit here. We have enough small forwards and he's 38 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsdude530 Posted June 8, 2006 Author Share Posted June 8, 2006 Pat Foley is a rumored replacement, so is the Isles' John Weideman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Devs Fan Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 He scored five goals and had 13 assists in 78 games. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Devils! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LIDevsFan1 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Def. sucks about John & Randy---I associate them with the glory days. No one listens or deosn't listen on the radio b/c of the broadcasters. Another wierd Lou move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Leeds Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Chris Moore is the Devils voice to me. Hell, I liked Larry Brooks in the booth, but I thought Randy did a real nice job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucifersDog Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I never listened to the radio but it's a surprise to see both go at same time. Must be a money issue with Lou. As for Dano not accepting the radio job I am so glad. I want Lou to fire Chico and replace Chico with Dano as the color person. If Dano doesn't want the TV job then replace Chico with someone. I am so tired listening to his mistakes, his insite to the mental attitude of the Devils players, he should be a shink, and his failure to accept that Marty makes mistakes. I like Doc and John Davidson as the TV commentators. Dano is so great on TV relaxed and knowledgeable about the g ame and the Devils and he calls a spade a spade. Please Lou say goodbye to Chico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aylbert Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I never listened to the radio but it's a surprise to see both go at same time. Must be a money issue with Lou.As for Dano not accepting the radio job I am so glad. I want Lou to fire Chico and replace Chico with Dano as the color person. If Dano doesn't want the TV job then replace Chico with someone. I am so tired listening to his mistakes, his insite to the mental attitude of the Devils players, he should be a shink, and his failure to accept that Marty makes mistakes. I like Doc and John Davidson as the TV commentators. Dano is so great on TV relaxed and knowledgeable about the g ame and the Devils and he calls a spade a spade. Please Lou say goodbye to Chico Dano is not relaxed yet... he still gets nervous and stumbles... he'll get over it.. but Im not sure he should be a full time color commentator... let him do dano's den another year... and get him interveiwing players just so he can get more spontaneous with the stumbles... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 and Jim Dowd wants to be next season's Albelin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Leeds Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Blasphemy about Chico........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 That's too bad for both guys. I echo LOTCB's thoughts on both as I also had the pleasure of meeting each. And they were good guys. I wonder what the Devils are thinking here. They do need to replace them with people with reps since they are on WFAN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Randy was passionate and very knowledgable. It will be difficult to find someone as good as he was. I echo the sentiments about Dowd, he does not fit here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Diablo Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 "If I did have a choice," Dowd said, "my No. 1 choice would be to play back in New Jersey." No boundry to Lou's Kool-Aid Sorry to hear the guys were let go - they worked well together -- Fave Velischeck line" Devs go on the PP " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masked Fan Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 WTH? Do they count against the cap or something? sheesh. I like a Homer to come home. I like the loyalty and the drive to play for your HOME team. If we do get Dowd, I think we'll get his best year of production in his career. I know, I know, that aint saying a whole lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Hey MaskedFan, if you like homers so much, maybe the Devils should hire this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brodeurfanatic Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I am VERY upset by the decision by the firing of Henessy and ESPECIALLY Velischeck. Henessy was the best replacement for Miller and Velischeck was just THE BEST! I will miss these guys calling Devils games and it will be VERY HARD to find replacements as good as they were. Which leaves the question.. why were they fired? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masked Fan Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Naw Derek, He's gotta play for Springfield. Homer hockey OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldon Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I guess this is just Lou wanting to make a change. Let's face it, we don't even know why Arsena was fired, so we probably won't find out here either. I like both guys. Although I felt Veli over-reacted in tight games as to how well the Devils were playing. I did not listen to radio so much that that bothered me. I love Dano's den I hope that stays. He said he didn't want to travel much, so that's fine with me. I never even know which station the Islanders are on, but I've heard their announcer is good, Weiderman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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