PITTSBURGH — Alan Fuehring has waited over a decade for the chance to be a full-time NHL play-by-player, and it finally came Thursday.
Fuehring had gotten spot duty in the NHL before, backing up Brendan Burke on the Islanders’ MSG broadcasts and doing a handful of games for the Blackhawks during the 2021-22 season, but for the last nine seasons, he has been doing an all-encompassing job in AHL Bridgeport that included broadcasting, public relations and any number of team services.
The chance to move up into the play-by-play job for the Islanders’ radio broadcast came as the organization reimagined its radio team this offseason, installing Fuehring in the play-by-play job with a rotating cast of former players as analysts, with Josh Bailey alongside Fuehring for Opening Night vs. the Penguins on Thursday.
“My dream was to get into this position where I could focus on broadcasting full-time,” Fuehring told The Post before calling the Islanders’ 4-3 road loss to the Penguins in their season opener. “I’m really excited that opportunity has finally presented itself and Game 1 is tonight. Just really thankful to everybody who’s helped me get this far. Way too many people to name, but Brendan Burke’s right at the top of the list. [Isles PR head] Kimber Auerbach’s right at the top of the list. So many people. For me, it’s simply what I’ve worked my whole career for, and it’s a dream come true.”
Bailey, who is set to broadcast 8-10 games, including the home opener Saturday, told The Post he had no designs on going into media after his playing career ended, but when the Islanders approached him about doing so, he figured it would be fun.
He and Fuehring did a broadcast together during the preseason to work out any kinks, and both said it went well.
“I found it quite easy just to talk about the game,” Bailey said. “Obviously, the familiarity with the guys helps, even though there has been some turnover the last few years.”
Initially, it looked like the Islanders might go without a radio broadcast entirely after they let go Chris King and Greg Picker, their longtime on-air duo, early in the offseason. Though it’s not clear how often the new broadcast crew will be on the road — King and Picker hadn’t been for the last two seasons — the broadcast will remain on 88.7 WHRU, 103.9 FM, the Islanders’ official app and the NHL app.
“I had a conversation with Chris, and I understand why the fan base loved him so much,” Fuehring said. “I can’t be him. No one can be Chris King. So, I’ll be myself But I certainly want to continue with that same passion that he had.”
Ilya Sorokin got the start in goal for the Islanders and recorded 28 saves in the Islanders’ loss.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
