There are generally two signs of Fall's arrival:
The first pour of a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
And the first drop of a hockey puck.
Owned and operated by the parent NHL Anaheim Ducks, the San Diego Gulls began their fifth season of American Hockey League play at home in 2019.
While this Gulls franchise is relatively young, the name "Gulls" dates all the way back to 1966 and the original Western Hockey League. Willie O'Ree, the National Hockey League's first black player, spent seven seasons with the club, earning one of his two WHL scoring titles in 1969.
In January of 2015, the Ducks announced their intent to purchase the AHL's Norfolk Admirals and move them west. They would go on to take the Gulls moniker, help the league establish an all-time attendance record, and earn playoff appearances in three of their first four seasons.
So when the Gulls asked me if I would voice the open video to the team's pregame show...
Would I?!?
San Diego.
You've heard about our weather.
You know about our beaches.
But what you're about to find out... is that this... is a hockey town.
Our Gulls pride runs deep.
We carry it on our shoulders.
You can see it on our face.
It's in the way we walk.
And the friends we keep.
We... are America's Finest Fans.
Featuring key landmarks, and passionate fans from around America’s Finest City, the video can be seen by upwards of 11,000 crazed attendees nightly at the team's historic venue, Pechanga Arena San Diego--the same home ice as those 1966 Gulls and O'Ree.
Through our streets we carry our pride.
Our rally cry echoes loud.
And when the Gulls take the ice...
We've got their backs.
I’ve been to the rink on many occasions, and with the energy emanating from the old bones of this building, I can honestly say San Diego is a hockey town.
And as a fan of the team, the environment, and many of the awesome people in the organization, I'm honored to be part of this impressive production.
Gulls hockey starts now!
For more of Alex's voiceovers, including in-stadium work played at Petco Park for the San Diego Padres, check out the Live TV & VO Demo.