Former Pattison Media broadcaster shines in play-by-play role for PWHL

After months of preparation, the moment women’s hockey fans had been waiting for finally came on Jan. 1 as the league opened. Tennis icon and advocate for gender equality in sports, Billie Jean King joined Canadian Olympic gold medalist Jayna Hefford, the league’s Senior VP of Hockey Operations for the ceremonial opening faceoff.

For Ponticelli, having that as the first moment for the new league left her speechless.

“The Billie Jean King moments were so real, I love that. She was able to witness her legacy in action.”

In an interview with paNOW following the momentous occasion, Ponticelli reflected on the game itself as well as her incredible journey to get to this point. She said she had a range of emotions as she was preparing and broadcasting that game.

“It’s one of those things where everything has to time out right and decisions are made that are out of your control, so, to be gifted that experience, (it’s) absolutely an honour.”

Aside from the game on the ice, Ponticelli said some of her favourite moments included the crowd that came in the thousands to the Mattamy Athletic Centre, including many excited and bright-eyed kids.

“It’s not just kids, right, but they’re the future of the game. They are so excited for it and just brings everything together.”

Ponticelli also looked back on what the occasion meant for her as a woman in the world of broadcasting. She carries an impressive resume including reporting and covering games for the Saskatchewan Rush, the Roughriders and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Ponticelli believes some so many talented women are ready and able to step into the broadcast booth.

“Who are seeing spaces for themselves and representation out there and I constantly see it as well from fellow broadcasters who I absolutely adore, and I think the world of right and I’m just, I’m rooting for them,” she said, adding that it’s not only broadcasting positions that are opening but a range of roles including General Managers, coaches, and executives.

Ponticelli’s career has brought her across many sports, fields and arenas including becoming the first woman to call a WHL game and a USPORTS football game.

During the interview, she said she gets asked about being a trailblazer and representing women in the world of broadcasting. That’s a question she asked those she looked up to in the past. Ponticelli believes there is a path for anyone, male or female, to achieve their dreams in broadcasting and added you shouldn’t be afraid of failing to get to where you want to go.

“I think it takes a lot of courage to do things that are so public because your mistakes are public, and I always just think that that’s an important thing. It really does take people opening up doors,” she said. “Just don’t think that there’s only one way to do something and that you have to fit into that box, because there are so many ways. I really do believe that if that’s your dream, if that’s your drive and your passion, you will find a way.”

Finally, Ponticelli talked about one of the biggest roles of her career, broadcasting Women’s Hockey for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies through HuskieFan.

The website launched in 2021 as a way to showcase Huskie athletics and provide play-by-play and analysis of men’s and women’s hockey and football.

Looking back at her days with HuskieFan, Ponticelli was emotional when recognizing that a company opened the door for her to help her achieve her dreams. She admitted at first that she had never called a hockey game, but her love of the sport helped her persevere.

“I wish you could see me just smiling so brightly-eyed and reflecting so much. When I first realized I’d be doing that, I remember being so overwhelmed and be like, ‘what am I doing? I’ve never called hockey. I like watching it and it’s a great sport…what am I doing?’ Having all these questions for myself and feeling just overwhelmed and then here you are, at this stage,” she said.

“I cannot say enough about Pattison Media and what Pattison Media has done with HuskieFan. I will trumpet that forever because it’s a private media company who puts their money to supporting sportsmen and women and also the University of Saskatchewan for making sure that their men’s and women’s programs are represented. It takes everybody pulling together in the same direction.”

Ponticelli has a busy schedule ahead of her as she is filling in a game at the U-18 Women’s World Hockey Championships before returning to the booth for the PWHL.

The league runs its regular season through May 5 with the final game between Ottawa and Toronto before the 2024 playoffs begin.

You can find out more about Ponticelli’s history and successes on her website.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Craddock

Former Pattison Media broadcaster shines in play-by-play role for PWHL

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