Following a season in which the New York Islanders failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the team decided not to renew the contract of president and general manager Lou Lamoriello. The organization is reportedly making changes off the ice as well, letting go of radio play-by-play announcer Chris King and color commentator Greg Picker.
Arthur Staple of The Athletic, who covers the team for the digital publication, also added that the team may not have radio broadcasts going forward. This resolution, should it be substantiated, would take place just two years after the broadcasters were reported to no longer be traveling outside of local destinations such as Manhattan, Newark and Philadelphia.
The cessation of radio broadcasts would mark the first time since the 2009-10 season that the team has not offered fans a distinctive, on-air presence.
The organization opted to simulcast the television feed of games during that season, but it reverted back to radio the next season with King calling games alongside select students at Hofstra University. WRHU 88.7 FM has served as the flagship home of the team for the last several years through which students produced broadcasts, delivered in-game sports updates and took part in on-site reporting from UBS Arena.
This past season, the live game broadcasts aired on WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio (WRCN) in addition to SiriusXM and other digital platforms. The broadcasts have also traditionally featured shoulder programming, intermission reports and features about the team and arena. King has worked on the radio broadcasts since the 1994 season and documented several memorable moments for the team, including back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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