The first preseason game of the Washington Capitals’ 50th anniversary season took to the airwaves one September Sunday afternoon. Here came the call to the people driving around the District, radios tuned to 106.7 on the FM dial: “A pleasant good afternoon, everybody, from Capital One Arena here in downtown Washington. Welcome, once again, to Washington Capitals hockey.”
If John Walton had decided to do something other than broadcasting sports, it would have been sports broadcasting’s loss. He has the passion. He has the pipes. It’s a perfect combination.
“You can sense it when you hear him announce one game for 10 seconds — the pride he takes in not just himself and his job but the game of hockey and certainly this organization,” said defenseman John Carlson, who was with minor league Hershey when Walton was the radio announcer there.
“He’s a hockey guy through and through,” said Capitals General Manager Chris Patrick, who was responsible for overseeing Hershey when Walton worked there. “His allegiances run deep. I mean, he’s still 100 percent Hershey Bears, and now he’s 100 percent Washington Capitals.”
Never heard Ron Weber live so grew up with Kolbe who was fine for my standards. After Kolbe left Walton took over and I was pretty excited. Good to see he’s only the 3rd radio man in the Caps 50 year history.
About 2 years ago I started carrying a radio to the game (STH) so I can listen to him live in the arena. I enjoy it other than you not being able to hear any home goal calls because it’s so loud. I’m glad to hear he is okay and ready for another season of Caps hockey, and I will be listenin’ in the arena!
TheWonderMittens
Love John! He’s got some of the most legendary calls in caps history. I hope he’s around for a very long time.
3 Comments
The first preseason game of the Washington Capitals’ 50th anniversary season took to the airwaves one September Sunday afternoon. Here came the call to the people driving around the District, radios tuned to 106.7 on the FM dial: “A pleasant good afternoon, everybody, from Capital One Arena here in downtown Washington. Welcome, once again, to Washington Capitals hockey.”
If John Walton had decided to do something other than broadcasting sports, it would have been sports broadcasting’s loss. He has the passion. He has the pipes. It’s a perfect combination.
“You can sense it when you hear him announce one game for 10 seconds — the pride he takes in not just himself and his job but the game of hockey and certainly this organization,” said defenseman John Carlson, who was with minor league Hershey when Walton was the radio announcer there.
“He’s a hockey guy through and through,” said Capitals General Manager Chris Patrick, who was responsible for overseeing Hershey when Walton worked there. “His allegiances run deep. I mean, he’s still 100 percent Hershey Bears, and now he’s 100 percent Washington Capitals.”
Read more here: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/10/08/john-walton-cancer-capitals/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/10/08/john-walton-cancer-capitals/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)
Never heard Ron Weber live so grew up with Kolbe who was fine for my standards. After Kolbe left Walton took over and I was pretty excited. Good to see he’s only the 3rd radio man in the Caps 50 year history.
About 2 years ago I started carrying a radio to the game (STH) so I can listen to him live in the arena. I enjoy it other than you not being able to hear any home goal calls because it’s so loud. I’m glad to hear he is okay and ready for another season of Caps hockey, and I will be listenin’ in the arena!
Love John! He’s got some of the most legendary calls in caps history. I hope he’s around for a very long time.