DAYTON, OHIO — For 17 seasons, the radio play-by-play of the National Hockey League franchise serving the Buckeye State’s capital city has seen Bob McElligott handle the task, with TEGNA’s WBNS-FM “97.1 The Fan” in Columbus, Ohio, the team’s flagship audio partner.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 season, all Columbus Blue Jackets broadcasts will be simulcast across TV and radio.
As the team explains, the allows fans “to experience the same live game coverage whether watching on television or listening on the radio.”
Others view it as a cost-cutting move, as McElligott’s contract was not renewed.
Blue Jackets VP of Business Intelligence & Broadcasting Marc Gregory commented, “Bob McElligott has made significant contributions to the Blue Jackets organization on the air and in the community over the past 17 years. Bob’s voice was at the heart of many of our club’s unforgettable moments and helped shape memories that will live on for years to come. We sincerely thank him and wish him nothing but success moving forward.”
While the TV broadcast audio feed will be heard on “97.1 The Fan,” the team confirmed that seven-year audio host Dylan Tyrer will continue in that role for radio broadcasts, ensuring that the pre- and post-game reports are unique from those on TV.4
Under the new format, the television broadcast audio feed will be carried on the club’s radio network, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus. This includes expert analysis from former Blue Jacket Jody Shelley, who has become a regular presence on national league broadcasts on TNT and Amazon Prime’s weekly coverage across Canada. Mears, who is a former NHL Network studio host, has called NHL games on both radio and TV since 2006
Meanwhile, where the Blue Jackets’ TV coverage will appear at the start of the season remains unknown to the public, as the team says they are still being finalized. NHL team coverage is in a state of flux due to the demise of FanDuel Sports Network.
