Ken Kal
Encyclopedia
Ken Kalczynski or Ken Kal (born September 1957) is an American
disc jockey and reporter for WXYT AM 1270 in Detroit, as well as the radio play-by-play commentator for the Detroit Red Wings
of the NHL for the past 16 seasons. Kal's first season was with WJR
and he now can be heard giving the play-by-play during every Wings game on 97.1 FM "The Ticket" along with Paul Woods
.
where, on a whim, he did a reading for WAYN, the closed-circuit radio station on campus. He wasn't very good. However, it sparked his interest in broadcasting and he began to practice. After much improvement, he finally landed a sportscasting job calling local college ice hockey
games. Knowing nothing of hockey, his broadcasts were dry and hard to follow, but Kalczynski stuck with it. It was here he shortened his on-air moniker to "Ken Kal" and began to see improvements in both his quality of broadcasts and his fanbase.
After his graduation from Wayne State in 1979, Kal landed a job with WAAM
. There, he was a sportscaster working under sports director Paul Chapman and also served as a disc jockey on numerous occasions. In 1984, Kal finally received the job he was after, replacing Chapman, who'd moved on to WJR, on the play-by-play duties for University of Michigan
hockey. Kal would go on to hold that position for the next 11 years on both WAAM and WTKA
.
, who retired after 31 years as the play by play voice for the Detroit Red Wings. He joined former NHLer Paul Woods in the booth who had previously worked with Martyn. He has called the final seconds of four Stanley Cup victories and the milestone goals of several hall of fame ice hockey players.
In addition to his broadcast duties, Kal represents the Red Wings in the community, often visiting schools or business groups, hosting team events and playing for the Wings charity softball
team. Kal is a contributing writer to the team's official magazine, "Inside Hockeytown". Rounding out his administrative duties, Ken also works with the broadcast department to expand the Red Wings radio network and maintain affiliate relations. Ken was married during the summer of 2003.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
disc jockey and reporter for WXYT AM 1270 in Detroit, as well as the radio play-by-play commentator for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
of the NHL for the past 16 seasons. Kal's first season was with WJR
WJR
WJR is a radio station in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It broadcasts a news/talk format. It is a class A clear channel station whose broadcasts can be heard throughout most of the Midwest, eastern United States and Canada at night, making it one of the most powerful radio stations in the...
and he now can be heard giving the play-by-play during every Wings game on 97.1 FM "The Ticket" along with Paul Woods
Paul Woods
Paul William Woods is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1977 through 1984. He currently serves as a color commentator for the Detroit Red Wings on radio station 97.1 FM The Ticket.-Career:Woods spent his...
.
Realizing the dream
Kalczynski would watch his father get laid-off continuously as a tool and die maker and didn't want to follow in those footsteps. He decided to head to Wayne State UniversityWayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
where, on a whim, he did a reading for WAYN, the closed-circuit radio station on campus. He wasn't very good. However, it sparked his interest in broadcasting and he began to practice. After much improvement, he finally landed a sportscasting job calling local college ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
games. Knowing nothing of hockey, his broadcasts were dry and hard to follow, but Kalczynski stuck with it. It was here he shortened his on-air moniker to "Ken Kal" and began to see improvements in both his quality of broadcasts and his fanbase.
After his graduation from Wayne State in 1979, Kal landed a job with WAAM
WAAM
WAAM is a radio station in Ann Arbor, Michigan that broadcasts on AM 1600. Known as "WAAM Talk 1600" , WAAM broadcasts with 5,000 watts of power. The station is owned by Coolarity A2, LLC. Until recently, the station broadcast in AM Stereo.-Early History: WHRV:The station signed on as WHRV in...
. There, he was a sportscaster working under sports director Paul Chapman and also served as a disc jockey on numerous occasions. In 1984, Kal finally received the job he was after, replacing Chapman, who'd moved on to WJR, on the play-by-play duties for University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
hockey. Kal would go on to hold that position for the next 11 years on both WAAM and WTKA
WTKA
WTKA is a radio station located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that broadcasts on 1050 AM. Day power is 10 kW, night power is 500 W. The station covers most of southeast Michigan....
.
Reaching the NHL
In 1995, Kal switched over to the NHL, replacing the legendary Bruce MartynBruce Martyn
Bruce Martyn is a former American sportscaster, logging over 45 years behind the mike. Mr. Martyn was the radio voice of the Detroit Red Wings from 1964–1995.After earning his degree from Lake Superior State University in his hometown of Sault Ste...
, who retired after 31 years as the play by play voice for the Detroit Red Wings. He joined former NHLer Paul Woods in the booth who had previously worked with Martyn. He has called the final seconds of four Stanley Cup victories and the milestone goals of several hall of fame ice hockey players.
In addition to his broadcast duties, Kal represents the Red Wings in the community, often visiting schools or business groups, hosting team events and playing for the Wings charity softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
team. Kal is a contributing writer to the team's official magazine, "Inside Hockeytown". Rounding out his administrative duties, Ken also works with the broadcast department to expand the Red Wings radio network and maintain affiliate relations. Ken was married during the summer of 2003.
Personal life
Ken is a two-time Past President of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association as well as a longtime active member of the DSBA. Kal is a board member for the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. He was married in 2003 and currently resides in St. Clair Shores, MichiganSt. Clair Shores, Michigan
St. Clair Shores is a suburban city bordering Lake St. Clair in Macomb County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It forms a part of the Metro Detroit area, and is located approximately northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,715. The current mayor is...
.