The San Diego Gulls selected a local radio veteran as the team’s on-air voice for its inaugural season in the American Hockey League.
Craig Elsten’s voice is familiar to fans of the San Diego Sockers, where he has been their play-by-play voice for the past six seasons. He is also a pre and post-game host on the Mighty 1090-AM Padres broadcasts and hosts a talk show on the station.
The Gulls, the top affiliate team of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, recently announced all games will be broadcast on either Mighty 1090-AM or ESPN 1700-AM.
“Craig has well-established credibility in this market,” said Gulls president of business operations Ari Segal. “He is a storyteller. We feel that Craig has the ability to create an exciting call that will appeal to new and existing Gulls and Ducks fans as well as hardcore San Diego sports fans willing to give us a try.”
Elsten resides in La Mesa with his wife Mitzi and 4-year-old son James.
The Gulls also announced a two-game exhibition schedule, with both games against the Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings’ new top affiliate.
The first game will be played Oct. 2 in Ontario, followed by an Oct. 5 meeting at the Honda Center in Anaheim, home of the Ducks. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
Fans are invited to the Honda Center game and will be admitted for free. Tickets, limited to four per customer, are available at www.anaheimducks.com. Seating is general admission on a first-come basis. Concession stands will be open for the event, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.