(September 17, 2018) After spending last winter as a sideline reporter for the Chicago Wolves, Mark Citron will spend this hockey season as the voice of another team in the Windy City area. An STAA member, Citron is the new voice of the USHL’s Chicago Steel.
He follows fellow STAA member Rob Sanderson, who left after two seasons for a job with the Corpus Christi IceRays.
“I actually found out [that Sanderson was leaving] from Twitter. A co-worker from the Wolves tweeted something about [Sanderson] landing a new gig. I pounced on it ASAP,” recalls Citron.
After that, it was a matter of consistent follow up with Steel President Dan Lehv. “Not just over email, but with a personal touch persistently,” Citron says.
Citron will broadcast Chicago’s entire schedule. “Any reps are great opportunities to better your craft,” he says enthusiastically. “Heck, calling a cockroach race, dodge ball, it doesn’t matter. There are never enough of them.”
Something Citron especially respects about the Steel is the emphasis placed upon the professional and personal development of its staff. “I really admire that their values are set high and they are willing to be patient not just with me but every single person that works within the organization,” he says.”
Citron is also excited for the camaraderie that comes with being part of an organization. “Traveling with the boys and the coaching staff and the other team staff adds a whole other dimension to the experience!”
A 2015 graduate of the University of Tampa, Citron’s first job in hockey was calling high school games for Tampa Bay Lightning Power Play Radio. After nearly three years, it was onto the Wolves where Citron experienced major growth. “Just learning your role within an organization and communication between PR, the players, coaches, the owner, and everyone else. The Wolves are such a first class organization. I am so grateful I was able to chip in to do what I did for them.”
Citron has been an STAA member nearly three years. He pays special attention to advice from veteran sportscasters. “It is always nice to learn as much you can and hear stories from the people who have made it. I am definitely listening.”
(Visit Mark’s STAA Talent Page).