Joe Roberts named broadcaster of AHL's Utica Comets

KALAMAZOO, MI— Kalamazoo Wings broadcaster and director of public relations Joe Roberts has been named as the broadcaster for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League, the team announced Monday.

Roberts, 27, has spent the last three seasons as the “Voice of the Wings,” and has also acted as the team’s media liaison, oversaw the team’s written distribution, and handled its day-to-day social media.

“I am so grateful to the Kalamazoo Wings for all they provided in my professional development,” Roberts said. “I will always value my time with the organization and with those whom I was able to work alongside. I’m very excited for the upcoming journey, but I will miss the people of this community very much.”

At the 2018 ECHL Hockey Summer Meetings, Roberts was awarded with the Media Relations Award of Excellence, and he was a finalist for the ECHL’s Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2017.

His first taste of pro hockey came as a broadcast/public relations intern with the Wings in 2010, and his duties eventually transitioned into public address work and in-game emceeing. He also spent time hosting the morning show on Kalamazoo’s alternative channel, Z 96.5.

Roberts is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where he studied Film, Video, and Media Communications. While attending the university, he was the voice of the women’s basketball team for its commercial radio broadcasts, and handled the online broadcast duties for the baseball, softball, and volleyball teams.

Joe heads to Utica with his wife, Jessica, and their dog, Otis.

Kalamazoo Wings season tickets are available now and start at less than $13 per game with parking included and one-of-a-kind benefits. More information can be gathered at www.kwings.com/seasontickets.

Wings Event Center, owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, is home to the Kalamazoo Wings professional hockey team and a full entertainment venue offering concerts, sporting events, family shows and trade shows. Built in 1974, Wings Event Center values partnerships with the community to bring events and attractions that enrich the lives of residents in the Kalamazoo area.

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