In late May, BSN Denver broke the news that longtime Avalanche broadcaster Mike Haynes had resigned from his job as television play-by-play man after 13 years. It stunned the Avs community, as Haynes had been with the organization from Day 1, when the team moved from Quebec to Denver in 1995.
What hadn’t been known, until now, is why Haynes stepped down.
The truth is, BSN’s sources can confirm, that Altitude went to Haynes and asked him to go back to his old gig with the team, the radio play-by-play guy, and that current radio guy Marc Moser would replace him on TV.
Haynes, sources said, refused what he felt would be a demotion and ultimately chose to resign over it. He has made no public comments since departing.
Moser is seen as a rising star through the KSE family, and, while not officially announced yet, is expected to be formally introduced soon as the new play-by-play man. Kroenke Sports may try some different things in the booth starting this season, though. There may be occasions when Moser does a game or just a period here and there on radio, while someone, maybe the new, as–yet-to-named radio voice, gets a period on the TV mic.
Tests by KSE convinced it of tremendous chemistry between Moser and McNab in the booth, where they have occasionally called games on radio together.
A final decision on the radio/TV jobs is expected to take more than two more weeks. Kevin McGlue, radio voice of the Colorado Eagles, is a candidate.
0 Comments (20 conversations)
bjjones05
I may be in the minority here, but I would take Haynes over Moser any day. I’ve tried to listen to Moser on the radio, but he gets under my skin with those long, drawn out names he calls everyone. So sorry to see Mike go over something like this. He is truly a professional.
Will miss Haynes. Rock solid work over the years. Mosher seems to get ahead of himself, while calling rapid fire plays, and the result is garbled play by play..
Christrumbo
Not a good look for KSE. How does sunny side McNabb outlast the INSTITUTION that is Mike Haynes. Heads need to roll. This is a travesty. Which congressman do I call please help
Jose
AD-nice job on a tough subject. Do they really think that the change will make much difference in TV ratings?
piercedotnet
Moser is ok. Sometimes it takes him a long time to recap game score when I tune in mid game. A must on radio. Not needed on tv. I will miss Haynes’ call.
ebriff
I love Moser’s radio calls. Being from Maryland and until recently, unable to watch the Altitude tv casts, I feel like I almost grew up on Avs radio broadcasts. I find Mose very entertaining, but I fear tv may stifle him a little. Haynes will definitely be missed and it’ll be interesting to see how things go. Any word on if Johnny Liles may have a bigger role in the Altitude family this season?
RGSchroder
Moser is badass and I can’t wait to hear him. I like Haynes and I know he will find something else. Mcnab is the one that should have been demoted tbh lol i do have to say that Moser and Lauren have a good chemistry and translate well together .
I’m all for more Lauren Gardner lol
ThePhotoGorilla
I don’t listen to much Avs radio, so I’ll reserve judgement on Moser. Wholly agree about Goodman though.
Markk
I love Mose, but this is a bad look for KSE. They shouldn’t have done this. Haynes probably wasn’t too far from retirement, let him finish his career. Still, looking forward to more Moser!
Kooz92
Mike Haynes is the voice I associate with the Avs. Gutted to see him go but interested to see what Moser brings to the table. Being UK based, I havent listened to much Avs radio but I always watch an Altitude broadcast when available.
Fsmcnab
I remember when Moser was a drive time radio talk show host before taking the Av’s radio gig. I found him insufferable then, and now. Wish Haynes still had the mic.
Hockeyhead
The Mose wil be great as long as he calls the game and does not side track into hockey trivia and dribble with Mcnabb when he should be calling the game. Haynes and Mcnabb repeatedly and frequently got off into trivia and dribble when Haynes should have been calling the game. It made the game unbearable to listen to. Mcnabb should only add his color comments between whistles!!!!!!!! Sorry to hear Haynes was forced out. That is what working hard for someone can do for you.
Forsberholic
*drivel, no?
DenverBroncosReddit
I’m not a fan of pushing out a guy who has been with the team since Day 1. Some of my fondest Avs memories are set to the music of his voice.
Avsfan24
Can’t blame KSE here. Moser is WAY more popular among Avs fans. Haynes was nearly unbearable.
mladen
the whole dam bunch are horrible. Listening to Emrich (sp) do a game is really enjoyable. He really enjoys the game and keeps you up on everything that’s going on. Haynes and Mcnabb get bored and drift off into a bullshit session which personally I’m not interested in hearing.
Forsberholic
I’ll disagree with that i guess. Personally think Doc is even harder to listen to than Haynes was, and I really disliked Haynes. He needs to go asap. Not good for the game. Most non-hockey fans that I know are usually like “whats up with that anouncer?”
Skyler Thomson
I’m excited to hear moser, as I never get to listen to radio and I have heard some real fun highlights from his broadcasts, but I personally loved Haynes and I’m really sad to see him go. I would have been much happier if they just added Moser to the roster, and had them bring in a third guy from time to time. Sort of like they did with Mark Rycroft. I get that they are both play by play guys, but Haynes has been here since the beginning. They shouldn’t have demoted him!
gtq
Man people seem like they are getting pretty sentimental about Haynes. While he had the gig all I read was complaints about him. I grew used to him, but think Moser will be an upgrade. Just about anyone would.
WY_Pack
I loved Haynes on the radio and was really bummed when he moved to TV. I find Moser to be horrible so, I’m even more bummed I have to listen to him on TV. Overall Avs fans lose again when the promotion of Moser.
Bring back the Abominable Snowman and send Bernie packing.
Bob_W
When I watch hockey on TV I want an announcer with a tonally pleasant voice who uses the 3 “C”s , (Clear, Concise and Correct) without being over emotional at critical points. I find Moser’s voice to be somewhat gruff and grating and therefore prefer Haynes to him. My favorite Avalanche announcer was john Kelly who is now the voice of the Blues. But it is all personal preference which is why the comments are so varied here. This is a business and from time to time announcers will change just like players do.
NoMoreRats
I’ve read some complaints about Haynes going off on tangents with stories. This is something that every announcer does in every sport when games get out of hand as an attempt to keep home team viewers entertained. Haynes has had to do it a lot the last few years due to the circumstances of the team which employed him.
I respectfully disagree with anyone who points to Emmrick as some sort of positive example. I don’t understand why he continues to be employed yet alone win awards. From the stupid phrases he uses, to mispronouncing half the names (Jakub Vrana’s name is not pronounced “Vorrana”), to screeching like an unintelligible 3 year old whenever the action gets exciting he’s the absolute worst. I constantly hear people say “he makes every game sound like the 7th game of the finals.” Not every game needs to sound like the 7th game of the finals. I’m convinced that Mike Emmrick is the perfect hockey announcer for people who don’t really like hockey.
Bob_W
On the lighter side (and I do not intend this as a criticism of Haynes or McNab but just an observation) as much as Dater likes to talk about his jinx I do not think he can hold a candle to the Haynes-McNab jinx. For example a team would go on the power play against the Avs and Haynes would say something like “The Avs haven’t given up a power play goal in X periods” or “This team hasn’t scored a power play goal against the Avs in X periods” and bingo the puck is in the back of the Avs’ net. Or McNab at a critical point in the game will say “The one thing the Avs cannot allow now is X” and instantly that “X” happens. It got to the point that every time one of them made one of these observations I was screaming at my TV “Shut the hell up!” Not funny at the time perhaps but now looking back a somewhat humorous remembrance of Haynes and McNab as a team.
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Rmedow
Altitude made a huge error. Haynes was spot on, clear, concise and exciting. He had the right touch, great knowledge and he has an excellent TV manner. Any team out there should be glad to sign Haynes up. We will miss him.