Jock Itch Avs radio crew takes a slapshot to the gut

There’s plenty to get excited about as the Avalanche starts its season this Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Pepsi Center against the San Jose Sharks. Among them:

• Joe Sakic’s retirement ceremony: Although bittersweet, it will be nice to send a living legend off in style. It’s also Joe Sakic Day on the first, so if you want to blow off work, I’ll write you a note.
• Highly touted draft pick Matt Duchene and stud defenseman Kyle Quincey: The kids have skills and could help the Avs get back on the road to winning.
• Peter Forsberg’s return: Don’t get too excited. He’s bypassing Colorado for a team that might actually contend.
• New Avs goalie Craig Anderson: A Japanese Shoji screen might have made more saves than Peter Budaj last season.

Even though the Avs will continue to dwell near the bottom of the NHL scrap heap for at least another season, they're set to improve over last season’s dismal last place finish. The real reason I’m excited for this year, though, is that longtime radio commentator Norm Jones will no longer be on the job. Far be it from me to celebrate someone’s misfortune, but good lord, the guy really sucked at calling the games.

Jones, the long time color analyst of the Avs, was relieved of his duties as play-by-play announcer this offseason and his broadcast partner, Marc Moser, was promoted as the lone radio voice of the Avalanche. The fan reaction was typical—disgruntled armchair masterminds decried the move like any bummed out fan base of a struggling team would—but the grumbling is way off base.

Before Jones, there was the always awesome Mike Haynes, but he left radio for televised broadcast, and he’s never been better. Check out the unbridled enthusiasm Haynes shows during a meaningless game between the Avs and the horrific Florida Panthers. This is how play-by-play announcing should be done.

Jones certainly knows hockey, but his sleepy, often confused account of the games leave me wondering why he ever switched from his commentary job to the high-energy role as a play-by-play announcer in the first place. He was perfectly suited as a color commentator, and the move to the other side of the booth fit about as well as a thrift store sweater. Moser was the oil to Jones’ water and would oftentimes step on Jones’ toes—usually because Jones wasn’t saying anything—which led to some awkward exchanges. And Jones’ goal call, the bread and butter of a hockey announcer, was limp and ineffectual. Most times, Jones sounded about as excited as someone awaiting a colonoscopy.

The guy isn’t totally out of a job, however. According to Kroenke Sports, Jones will have a role as a studio analyst, which is where he should have been in the first place. As for Moser, he’s got a battle ahead of him. Fans don’t seem to like him much (no surprise there), but I’ve always liked his energy and think he’ll do a bang-up job.

Hockey on the radio is a pleasant throwback in this increasingly obnoxious digital age we live in, and I am excited to listen to the Avs this way—when not near a TV, of course—especially now that it won’t put me to sleep. And with this season having the potential to really suck, it’s nice to know the person giving you the bad news won’t suck even worse.