If you’ve been a hockey fan in these parts over the past few decades, you’ve heard this iconic voice introduce every hockey team that has taken to the ice at the Civic Center, and now Cool Insuring Arena, including The Adirondack Red Wings, Ice Hawks, Frostbite, Phantoms, Flames, and now our Adirondack Thunder! We had an amazing time catching up with Dan Miner, the public address announcer for the Adirondack Thunder and local radio personality on WCKM 98.5 FM. He’ll be inducted into the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend and we were fortunate to spend some time with him and learn what inspired him to get into radio, his favorite announcers growing up, what it’s like to be the voice of an entire arena and more!
ON THE HALL OF FAME
Congratulations on being inducted into the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame!
Thank you! It’s a little odd for me… I’m not used to people complimenting me and saying congratulations, I’m used to being on the other side. It’s just very humbling to be recognized for all the years of service and great to be recognized alongside such talented people and friends. It’s like getting the band back together! [Sylvain Cloutier, Frank Littlejohn and the late H. Douglas “Doug” Burch will also be inducted.]
ON THE PAST
How did you get started in radio?
When I was a little kid, I just loved radio. I got the bug early. When I was growing up in Troy, my grandparents lived down the street from the WTRY studios so you could go down and the disc jockeys would let you watch and see what was going on. And right next to the school I went to was WRPI so after school I could sneak over to the college radio station and check things out. As a little kid, it just fascinated me. I never had a back-up plan, this is all I ever wanted to do.
Did you have any mentors along the way?
My radio instructor at SUNY Adirondack, Ron Pesha, was awesome. He had been there and done that, worked in the smallest of small markets and the biggest. Just real-life experience. When I first got started in radio, there were some people that took me under their wing. Glenn Britton was another one of those guys with an amazing voice and he was just so cool - he helped me out a lot early on. I’m still great friends with him today.
Who were some of your favorite radio announcers growing up?
Boom Boom Brannigan when I was a kid growing up in Troy. He was just awesome. He made everything so big. Of course Wolf Man Jack, I was fortunate enough to interview him and he was one of those guys that I really looked up to. Rick Knight, who I ended up working with later - he’s a Glens Falls / South Glens Falls guy. I went to work with him in the 90’s when he was at Fly 92. He was one of those guys that I just absolutely loved. And then there was Dave Strader who I got to know later on in my career. Being a kid from Whitehall, listening to the hockey games when they started in ‘79, he was the guy who painted the picture. Dave did a game so perfectly.
How about your all-time favorite sports announcer?
Dave Strader definitely. He had a way of painting a picture, and even when he moved to TV, I could lay on my couch, close my eyes and still know what was going on with the game just by listening to Dave. Not the hype, not the hyperbole, and not the show - Dave really called the game and that’s what I loved about him. He was just great at what he did. To do what he did from his radio beginnings through national and international feeds was just incredible.
ON GAME NIGHT
What’s it like to be the voice of an arena?
Things have changed over the years, it’s much more of an entertaining experience. There’s also a alot going on including announcing the officiating, advertising, etc. We’ve got a great team up here. Video, officials, cameramen, staff from the team, etc. That took a while to figure out. It’s humbling, when you have people come up to you and they say you were announcing my first hockey game and they’re 40-something years old. I’m like Geez, I'm old! The team in the office is amazing as well. They’re local people who care.
We’d love to hear some of your favorite moments.
Any opening night is exciting, the playoff opening nights of course are awesome. Shoot outs aren’t There’s so many. Then one time on my second night of announcing, one of my best friends was shooting to win a car on the ice. And he did it! That was just awesome.
What’s your favorite battle cry to get the crowd going?
Probably the Rick Flair “Whoooooo!”. That came about one night when the music went down right when the crowd needed a punch. So I just got on the mic and did it. Sometimes the best stuff is accidental!
What’s your biggest challenge being an arena announcer?
Trying to get all the names correct - it’s a sign of respect. I always want to be sure to get everything right.
Thoughts on the team this year?
We’ve got a great group that will always play hard and give their best every night. Most importantly, they are good, kind people. It starts with James Henry right on down. And that’s a testament to coaching and front office.
We must know - what’s your favorite thing to eat at the arena?
Pretzel! Gotta keep it simple during game time.
ON GLENS FALLS
What are your thoughts on Glens Falls these days?
The city has a whole new energy. It really starts with the Coalition. It gave everybody hope. It’s like even back with the Red Wings. It was more like an event happening. You had to be there and I think they’ve done that here with The Thunder. I credit guys like Jeff Mead as well, a local guy that’s been there and done that and gets what it takes to make it work. It’s great to be in a hockey town!
And one of the smallest hockey towns, correct?
We’re the smallest market in all of the ECHL, if not all of professional hockey. I never lose sight of that. It’s one of those things that I hope people don't take for granted since hockey has been here since 1979. The fact that we have the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition made up of people who are great at what they do and then to come together with great energy and knowledge to help keep hockey here is amazing.
When you’re not enjoying a pretzel at the arena, where are your favorite places to grab a bite to eat?
I enjoy the Bullpen, Jack’s American Bistro, Talk of the Town, and Massies. For breakfast - Sam’s and Coaches Corner.
ON THE FUTURE
What kind of advice would you offer someone who wanted to get into the radio business now?
Diversify. Learn everything. There are no more one trick ponies any more. So if you want to be on the air, you better know how to operate computers, do production, engineering, and all sorts of things. The job that I have now, seven people used to do.
Thanks Dan! And Congratulations!
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