After 19 years as the Boston Bruins play-by-play broadcaster on New England Sports Network (NESN), Jack Edwards announced his retirement in April following the 2023-24 postseason. Edwards completed a 45-year career in broadcasting, which included a stint on SportsCenter on ESPN. NESN quickly found the New England native’s replacement by hiring 98.5 The Sports Hub’s radio play-by-play announcer Judd Sirott. Sirott spent the last seven seasons with analyst Bob Beers after spending nine years with WGN as Chicago Blackhawks studio host.
With Sirott moving to NESN, the Bruins searched for a new radio announcer and decided Friday on The Sports Hub’s Ryan Johnston, who had interviewed for the television job. Johnston has been with 98.5 FM since its inception in 2009 and spent nine years as Lowell Lock Monsters and Lowell Devils play-by-play announcer in the American Hockey League where he won the Associated Press Award for best play-by-play.
Johnston also spent four seasons as the broadcaster for the Lowell Spinners, a Red Sox affiliate. While at The Sports Hub, Ryan has filled in on Boston Bruins broadcasts and has handled play-by-play duties for Boston College hockey, the Beanpot, and the Hockey East Playoffs.
You can follow Johnston on X @Johnston985. The Bruins will begin training camp on September 18. The first NESN broadcast will be on September 22 at 5pm when the Bruins host the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Johnston will join Beers in the booth for the call.
