Broadcast
Derek Wills Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network Play-by-Play Announcer |
Derek Wills has been the "Voice of the Hamilton Bulldogs' since 2001.
Currently in his 12th season as the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network Play-By Play Announcer, and sixth as the head of the broadcasting and communications department, Wills has called a number of historically significant games such as the AHL's Conference Finals on five occasions (2002, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2011), the Calder Cup Finals twice (2003,2007) and the second-longest game in AHL history (Game 2 of the 2002 Calder Cup Finals). A native of Port Colborne, Ontario, Wills was selected to provide the play-by-play for the exclusive radio broadcast and league-wide online broadcast of the 2004 AHL All-Star Game in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In 2004-2005, Wills was named winned of the American Hockey League's prestigious James H. Ellery Memorical Award, in the radio category. The Ellery Awards are presented annually by the AHL to recognize one member of the radio, television, and print media deemed to have provided the most outstanding coverage of the league.
Wills made his National Hockey League debut on January 25th, 2010, filling in for legendary Buffalo Play-By-Play Announcer Rick Jeanneret and working with Colour Commentator Harry Neale in the Sabres' 3-2 loss to the Canucks at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Entering the 2011-2012 season, Wills has called 995 consecutive regular season and post-season Hamilton Bulldogs games, the longest current streak for any broadcaster in the AHL.
Wills, 36, resides in Stoney Creek, Ontario with his wife Jen. |
Al Craig Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network Colour Commentator |
Al Craig is currently in his ninth full season as the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network Colour Commentator.
Now in his 43rd year in the broadcasting industry, Craig, a native of Toronto, Ontario, has worked at radio and television stations in Timmins, Ontario; Pembroke, Ontario; Charlottetown, P.E.I; and St. John's, Newfoundland. Craig also became the most recognizble sports broadcaster in Hamilton during his 23 years at 900 CHML. Serving as the Sports Director for the majority of his long tenure with the station, Craig covered a wide variety of sports and leagues including the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, Canadian Football League, Canadian Soccer League and the Ontario Hockey League. Craig has also covered a number of historical sporting events, including the 1972 Canada - Soviet Summit Series, the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup's, the 1992 and 1993 World Series, won by the Toronto Blue Jays, the 1997, 2003 and 2007 Calder Cup Finals, as well as numerous World Championships in a number of different sports.
In 1996, Craig became the first Hamilton Bulldogs Play-By-Play Announcer, calling numerous regular season and post-season games including the first game in franchise history, and every post-season game as the team advanced to the Calder Cup Final in their inaugural season. Craig rejoined the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network in 2001 on a part-time basis, before becoming Derek Wills' full-time Colour Commentator for all home games and select away games at the start of the 2002-2003 season.
Craig has captured a number of awards for his work, including the Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice 'Sportscaster of the Year' Award. Craig, 63, resides in Grimsby, Ontario with his wife Cathy and has two sons - Ted and Grant. |




