John Wiedeman

Early life and career

Wiedeman grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. He worked for his family's plumbing parts supply company until 1988. Wiedeman attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1989. He decided to pursue a career in broadcasting at the age of 31. Wiedeman moved to Chicago in 1992 where he hoped to find work as a sports broadcaster. He was a bartender at a comedy club in Mount Prospect, Illinois and also served as an unpaid reporter for WCSJ in Morris, Illinois to cover Chicago Blackhawks games.

Broadcasting career

Wiedeman served as the radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster for the Muskegon Fury (1992–1994), Worcester IceCats (1994–1996), and Cincinnati Cyclones (1997–2001). He worked his way to the National Hockey League (NHL), where he served as the radio and substitute TV play-by-play commentator for the Philadelphia Flyers (1996), Tampa Bay Lightning (1997), Columbus Blue Jackets (2001), and New York Islanders (2001–2006). He joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 2006 and served as the team's radio play-by-play commentator. Wiedeman provided commentary for the Blackhawks alongside Troy Murray on the radio, including three Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

In 2021, the Blackhawks announced Pat Foley would retire as the team's TV play-by-play commentator after the season. Wiedeman, along with other announcers, "auditioned" to succeed Foley throughout the 2021–22 NHL season. In April 2022, the Blackhawks announced that Wiedeman would retain his role as the team's radio broadcast play-by-play announcer, and would not be selected to replace Foley on TV for the 2022–23 NHL season. Wiedeman signed a three-year extension with the Blackhawks in April 2024.

Awards and honors

John has been awarded the following honors by the Illinois Broadcasters Association:

• 2015 Best Play by Play, Chicago Market. Shared with colleagues Troy Murray and Judd Sirott.
• 2014 Best Play by Play, Chicago Market. Shared with Murray and Sirott.
• 2014 National Sportscaster and Sportswriters Association Illinois Sportscaster of the Year.
• 2012 Best Sports Story shared with Murray.
• 2011 Best Play by Play, Chicago Market shared with Murray.

Personal life

Wiedeman and his wife, Kelly, have one daughter and one son.

References

References

1. Sherman, Ed. (2015-05-20). "WGN's John Wiedeman loves doing hometown call for Blackhawks in playoffs". Chicago Tribune.
2. Powers, Scott. (2019-01-24). "Better late than never: How John Wiedeman found his passion in broadcasting". The Athletic.
3. Ziehm, Len. (2006-09-29). "Hawks 'ultimate reward' for Wiedeman". Chicago Sun-Times.
4. Musick, Tom. (2014-01-20). "Musick: Determination led Hawks' Wiedeman to broadcast booth". Shaw Media.
5. (2021). "JOHN WIEDEMAN - RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY". NHL.com.
6. Kuc, Chris. (2019-10-19). "FEATURE: Wiedeman, Murray Bring Passion for Game to Radio". NHL.com.
7. Pope, Ben. (2021-06-23). "Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley will step down after upcoming season". [[Chicago Sun-Times]].
8. Agrest, Jeff. (2021-09-29). "Blackhawks announce fill-ins for TV voice Pat Foley as he begins final season with team". [[Chicago Sun-Times]].
9. Dietz, John. (2022-02-26). "Dietz: Hawks making wrong call with Wiedeman". Daily Herald.
10. Roumeliotis, Charlie. (2022-08-25). "Blackhawks name Troy Murray, Patrick Sharp as TV analysts". NBC Sports Chicago.
11. Rubinstein, Tori. (April 10, 2024). "WGN Radio announces three-year extension with Blackhawks". [[NBC Sports Chicago]].