Everett Fitzhugh facts for kids

Everett "Fitz" Fitzhugh was born in 1989. He is an American sportscaster. He is known as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken are a team in the National Hockey League (NHL). Fitzhugh made history as the first full-time African American broadcaster in the NHL.

Early Life and Hockey Dreams

Everett Fitzhugh is African American. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan. His mother adopted him, and she raised him as a single parent. He went to Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Later, he studied at Bowling Green State University.

Fitzhugh became interested in hockey when he was in third grade. He watched a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Edmonton Oilers. He noticed that the Oilers had two Black players, Mike Grier and Georges Laraque. This made him feel connected to the sport.

Starting His Broadcasting Career

Fitzhugh began his career as a play-by-play announcer. This means he describes the game action as it happens. He worked for the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL. The ECHL is a professional ice hockey league. He also announced games for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League.

He also worked for the Bowling Green Falcons. There, he was both a play-by-play announcer and a color commentator. A color commentator explains the game's strategies and insights. Fitzhugh also managed media relations for the Cyclones. In 2017, he won an ECHL award for his excellent media work. He also helped broadcast the 2018 ECHL All-Star Game on NHL Network.

In 2018, Fitzhugh got a special chance. He announced a preseason game for the Washington Capitals. This was a big step in his career.

Making History in Hockey

In February 2020, a sports reporter noted something important. Everett Fitzhugh was the only Black play-by-play announcer in North American professional hockey. People praised his hard work and his willingness to do many jobs for his team. Many believed that if an NHL team hired him, it would be a huge moment for diversity in hockey.

Tod Leiweke, the CEO of the Seattle Kraken, heard about Fitzhugh. He read an article about him. Leiweke then got a great recommendation from a famous NHL announcer, Mike Emrick. In August 2020, the Kraken hired Fitzhugh. He became their very first team broadcaster. This made him the first full-time African American broadcaster in NHL history.

In 2020, Fitzhugh also narrated an audiobook. It was the autobiography of Willie O'Ree. Willie O'Ree was the NHL's first Black player. Fitzhugh recorded the book in Cincinnati before moving to Seattle.

Fitzhugh's Role with the Kraken

Everett Fitzhugh is very active with the Seattle Kraken. He often appears at public events. He also stars in promotional videos for the team. He hosts many interviews and shows on the Kraken's YouTube channel. He helps fans learn more about the team.

On February 17, 2022, Fitzhugh made history again. He and J. T. Brown called a Kraken game together. It was against the Winnipeg Jets. This was the first all-Black TV broadcast in NHL history.

Fitzhugh has received awards for his work with the Kraken. In 2023, he was named the Washington State Sportscaster of the Year. He also won a Northwest Regional Emmy Award.

Personal Life

Everett Fitzhugh married Shelly Pinto on October 15, 2021.

He looks up to many famous sports announcers. These include Detroit announcers Ernie Harwell, George Blaha, Ken Daniels, and Mickey Redmond. He also admires the broadcasters from Hockey Night in Canada.