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‘Mr. 900’: Penticton Vees’ play-by-play commentator Fraser Rodgers sets on-air milestone

Before returning to Penticton in 2022, Fraser Rodgers called the Vees’ 2012, 2015 and 2017 title wins
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Fraser Rodgers is the voice of the Vees. The 34-year-old spent seven seasons in Penticton from 2011 to 2017 and returned in 2022. (Photo- Penticton Vees)

You might as well call him, Mr. 900.

Fraser Rodgers, the Penticton Vees’ play-by-play commentator, reached a milestone this week when he put on the headset prior to the team’s game against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

After 13 years of calling B.C. Hockey League action, Rodgers stepped into the booth for the 900th time Wednesday, March 22, serving as the voice for the Vees’ 6-3 win in Salmon Arm.

“I want to thank the organization for giving me an opportunity,” Rodgers said. “I never would have thought that in 2011, I’d still be here.”

The broadcaster’s BCHL journey actually started on the Sunshine Coast in 2010.

Following a brief junior-B play-by-play stint in Melfort, Sask. earlier that year, the Vancouver native returned to his home province to be the voice of the Powell River Kings.

Live on air with no one by his side, the 21-year-old’s broadcasting chops were tested early, just five minutes into his first-ever BCHL game.

“There were a lot of nerves for me. It was the home opener, pre-game ceremony and everything,” Rodgers recalled. “I think less than five minutes into the first period, there’s a medical stoppage.

“One of the defenceman for Alberni Valley was hit behind the corner on a kind of a dangerous play, they had to stretcher him off and take him off the ice. I had to navigate through this scary situation for about 10 to 15 minutes, so it was definitely a sink-or-swim kind of thing…my big welcome into the BCHL.”

Rodgers joined the Vees in 2011, prior to the team’s record-breaking campaign where they won 42 games in a row and an eventual Fred Page Cup title.

Following an “epic-filled” seven-year run in the Peach City, Rodgers became the play-by-play commentator for the Prince George Spruce Kings in 2017.

He then returned to his familiar role with Penticton in 2022.

Although not born or raised in the South Okanagan, Rodgers says can’t deny the connection he has to Penticton.

“This is now home for my family and me,” he said. “It definitely feels like a special place to work and live.”

In conversation with Black Press on Friday, March 24, Rodgers recalled his fondest memories in the Vees’ booth, from electrifying playoff moments between rivals Penticton and Vernon to the team’s Interior Division championship in 2015.

“When I first moved here, I felt so welcome,” Rodgers said. “The following the team has had ever since then has been outstanding, second to none…you can definitely feel a special connection with everyone in town.”

READ MORE: NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament features 24 former Penticton Vees


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com