Longtime Kings broadcaster Nick Nickson, who has handled extensive radio duties as well as simulcasts, announced Tuesday that he will retire at the end of this upcoming season.
Like another legendary voice of the Kings, former play-by-play man Bob Miller, Nickson will have spent 44 seasons with the organization. The Rochester, N.Y., native began his career calling minor-league games in his hometown nearly half a century ago.
“There comes a moment when you get a sense that it is the right time to move on, and I feel that after this season it will be that time,” Nickson said in a statement. “Shortly after graduating from (Ithaca) College in 1975, I began my hockey broadcasting career, and it has been an absolute privilege to bring the game to the listeners and viewers from one season to the next.”
Across 44 campaigns, Nickson covered some lean years and some glorious campaigns, including the Kings’ first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993 and their pair of triumphs in 2012 and 2014.
“Through it all, I have enjoyed calling every shot, every save, every goal, and two Stanley Cups,” Nickson continued. “To my family and the Kings organization, thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty. To the great fans of Kings hockey, thank you for your encouragement and kind words over the years. It has always meant the world to me.”
The Kings said in a news release that they would honor Nickson at various points throughout the season with firmer plans to be announced at a later point in time.
“Nick has been a trusted and valuable voice for our fans during his incredible career and is synonymous with the LA Kings,” team president Luc Robitaille said in a statement. “He has been there for every historic moment to eloquently bring to life the action on the ice. Most importantly, he is a terrific person who has been equally important as an ambassador for our team and in our community. We look forward to celebrating his final season.”
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Nickson has garnered numerous accolades, including the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, which was voted on by his peers and awarded by the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nickson is the third Kings broadcaster to receive the honor along with Miller and Jiggs McDonald.
He joined the likes of Chick Hearn and Vin Scully in the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009. Nickson also did public-address announcing for the Dodgers in the 1980s, including their 1988 World Series victory over the Oakland Athletics, the franchise’s last championship won during a full season.
