It was announced on Thursday that Rick Ball is leaving Sportsnet to join the Chicago Blackhawks as their new play by play voice for the 2024-25 season. It’s a big loss for Flames fans as Ball is one of the top play-by-play voices in the NHL. it’s a fantastic opportunity for him to broadcast an Original Six franchise with a rich history, and one of the great young players in the game in Connor Bedard.

With Ball moving on, Sportsnet has to find the next TV play-by-play voice of the Calgary Flames. It’s one of just 32 TV play-by-play jobs in the NHL. There is going to be fierce competition for this role across the industry.

Let’s take a look at some names that might be on Sportsnet’s radar to replace Rick Ball.

Wills joined Sportsnet 960 as the radio play-by-play voice of the Flames in the 2014-15 season. Wills has held that role for 10 seasons. He has a classic play-by-play broadcaster’s voice and knows the Flames organization inside and out. He will be given a long look for this job.

Singh has a lot of play-by-play experience in both English and Punjabi. He was the voice of Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi for several seasons and most recently has been the number two play-by-play voice on Hockey Night in Canada broadcasting the late games in the western conference. Singh also worked for the Calgary Flames as the host of FlamesTV Punjabi, so there is a connection between him and the organization.

Curle is the long-time play-by-play voice of the Calgary Hitmen. He was hired by Ken King in August of 2005. He has done a great job and has his “SWEET VICTORY” signature win call that has endeared him to junior hockey fans in the city of Calgary. Before joining the Hitmen, Curle was the voice of the Lethbridge Hurricanes where he called over 500 games.

Prusina is the voice of the Calgary Wranglers on AHL TV and Sportsnet 960. If you’ve watched or listened to sports in Calgary over the past while, you’ve probably caught Prusina’s work. She’s been a fixture for 660 News and Sportsnet 960 The Fan covering all types of sport. Most prominently, she’s worked three Olympics, the Women’s World Cup, the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, and served as the voice of the CWHL’s Calgary Inferno and worked many of the Stockton Heat’s games during the season they spent in Calgary.

As many Flames fans know, Loubardias is an experienced, passionate broadcaster who has worked on both radio and TV broadcasts for the Calgary Flames.  He was the TV voice of the Flames from 2009-2011 and was the colour commentator on Sportsnet 960 radio broadcasts from 2013-23. Loubo stepped away from broadcasting in the summer of 2023. He is currently a reserve list scout for the Flames organization. Loubardias has a relationship with the Flames and Sportsnet. I have no idea if he wants to get back into broadcasting or not, but he would be a solid option to replace the outgoing Rick Ball.

Moon is the voice of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels and is the radio voice of the Edmonton Oilers regional games. Jack Michaels takes over radio play-by-play during national broadcasts and playoff series. Moon is very talented and passionate. He brings a lot of energy to the broadcast booth. Jack Michaels looks like he is going to be in Edmonton for a while. Calgary might be a great place for a guy like Moon to end up.

Batchelor is currently the radio voice of the Canucks on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver. The reason I bring up Batchelor’s name is because Rick Ball held the same position as Bachelor prior to becoming the TV voice of the Flames. Ball was the radio play-by-play voice of the Canucks on The Team 1040. Bachelor is a current Sportsnet employee. He could be an option if they are looking to hire from within.

Abbott is currently with TSN where he calls a variety of sports including some Ottawa Senators, Canadian Hockey League, and National Lacrosse League games. He was the radio voice of the Canucks on TSN 1040 before Sportsnet took over the Canucks radio broadcast rights.