Jive Pawnbroker
One day next week
George may not have painted much of a picture of the game in your mind as you listened, but IMO his enthusiasm more than made up for that. Best Wishes to George in all his future endeavors.
George Matthews stepping down as radio voice of CBJ
- Thread starter Mayor Bee
- Start date
Splarg
Registered User
It was the exact same for me in Sweden. I would try to stay awake for all of them, but those west coast ones were tough!! 4am starts! Still, I would sit there at my computer and hope for the best. Still always listened until the end, even in the 10-2 loss to San Jose in 2002.
So many memories, and a lot of them great ones.
QTMcWhiskers
Playoff Avatar Stays
I know I will be in the minority, but he should have been the PBP from the start on TV instead of Dan Kelly on FSOhio. He has the passion and the hockey knowledge to be a great guy to call the game. He scrapes the fine line between "homer" and "unbiased announcer." I hope the best for him. He has a great enthusiasm and love for the game.
That being said, he was terrible on radio. Hockey is very difficult to call on radio, and he was one of the worst in the NHL doing it. I don't know if there were ever politics involved, but I have mixed emotions about him leaving. He has a great voice for the game, but brain-dead without the visual aspect. Until I see George Matthews replace Jeff Rimer - good riddance.
That being said, he was terrible on radio. Hockey is very difficult to call on radio, and he was one of the worst in the NHL doing it. I don't know if there were ever politics involved, but I have mixed emotions about him leaving. He has a great voice for the game, but brain-dead without the visual aspect. Until I see George Matthews replace Jeff Rimer - good riddance.
KeithBWhittington
Going North
I think the change is a bit overdue. I'll agree with DSL, that, as a listener, I had a hard time following the play while listening to him. And, as it is, I had an unpleasant experience with George a handful of offseasons ago during the rookie camp, that really shaped my personal opinion about him. Its especially hard to rectify when I see almost universal praise from others that have met and spoke with him.
And I'm not going to say that George, or the other broadcasters, were a a part and parcel of the problem with this organization in the past, but Change has been good thus far this past 12 months.... I think this was the right time for this happen. Best of Luck to George, truly.
He will be remembered and honored for his contributions, but forward, I say.
As for a "replacement", With Bobby Mac sliding into George's seat, I'd look for Andrew Cassels to be a name worth watching. I seem to remember reading rumors that he was trying to land an assistants gig as well as the job that eventually went to Dan Kumal. His wife is from Columbus, if I remember right.
And I'm not going to say that George, or the other broadcasters, were a a part and parcel of the problem with this organization in the past, but Change has been good thus far this past 12 months.... I think this was the right time for this happen. Best of Luck to George, truly.
He will be remembered and honored for his contributions, but forward, I say.
As for a "replacement", With Bobby Mac sliding into George's seat, I'd look for Andrew Cassels to be a name worth watching. I seem to remember reading rumors that he was trying to land an assistants gig as well as the job that eventually went to Dan Kumal. His wife is from Columbus, if I remember right.
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Jive Pawnbroker
One day next week
Would George's departure bring an official end to the "PEI Mafia" as we used to refer to DM's cronies within the org?
KeithBWhittington
Going North
The "PEI Mafia" was decapitated when Doug was fired as that it wasn't sustainable with no organized head running it, eventually, it would wither as members of the "mafia" left or were shown the door. Mathews becomes the last member of the club to exit the organization, willing or otherwise. Basically, once Doug was fired, the "PEI Mafia" members still in place had their influence severly reduced because their Patron was gone.
Figured he would be around for another couple of decades. I hope he enjoys his retirement. He was a icon, even if everyone didn't appreciate his style. He was distinctive. I tend to agree that I would have preferred him on TV, as another poster indicated. I really don't think a change was overdue.
Good luck to him.
This PEI Mafia stuff is for the birds, when it comes to broadcasters.
Good luck to him.
This PEI Mafia stuff is for the birds, when it comes to broadcasters.
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
Pardon the thread necromancy, but I've been kind of in mourning for the past month after hearing this news. I've told the story often enough about how George is directly responsible for my being a hockey fan at all, let alone a Jackets fan. Having him leave is... 
I've heard McElligot's solo work before, and he's very good. A worthy guy. But he's not George.
I've heard McElligot's solo work before, and he's very good. A worthy guy. But he's not George.
Robert
Foligno family
I met George and Davidage at a draft party back in 2002 or so, they had a table and talked to everyone who approached them... He remembered me every time I saw him thereafter.. He read on the radio almost every email I sent during games I couldn't attend...
One of the best and nicest broad casters I've ever known... you will be missed George.
One of the best and nicest broad casters I've ever known... you will be missed George.
Fro
Cheatin on CBJ w TBL
George came with Dan Kamal to a game watch that we did up at Yogi's in dublin a month or so ago and just told stories for 4 hrs...i couldn't get enough of it...such a great guy....
The Press Express
Registered User
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
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fox2usp
Inbred Cat
As always, total class Tom. A well deserved tip of the hat to a great guy. That must have been a chore to get the audio to match up to the video. Well done Sir.
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
Bob McElligott confirmed to me that George has seen the video.
That's pretty special.
Also special is the THXMMC license plate featured in this. It was given to me by a gentleman at last years CannonFest. This year a woman came up to me and thanked me profusely for putting it in there. Her husband who had given it to me passed away last season and was a huge fan of George Matthews, having met him several times.
I just don't have words to describe how touched I was to have unknowingly created something so special for her.
That's pretty special.
Also special is the THXMMC license plate featured in this. It was given to me by a gentleman at last years CannonFest. This year a woman came up to me and thanked me profusely for putting it in there. Her husband who had given it to me passed away last season and was a huge fan of George Matthews, having met him several times.
I just don't have words to describe how touched I was to have unknowingly created something so special for her.
