Matthew Zwirb grew up admiring hockey broadcasters Doc Emrick and Washington Capitols voice John Walton. He loved how they called big moments. Zwirb will now also be calling big moments. He is launching his own hockey play-by-play career with Team Maryland of the Eastern Hockey League.
“I connect with the voices that I grew up listening to,” Zwirb says. “I watched Doc calling games on TV and listened to John Walton on the radio. Hearing the big moments’ drove a deep desire within me to have moments like those.”
Home ice
STAA members were emailed several EHL opportunities. Zwirb applied with Team Maryland because it is closest to his home near Washington D.C. He explains, “Team Maryland is within driving distance and a team that fits my needs to continue to develop as a broadcaster without having to worry about tons of other responsibilities within the organization.”
College experience
A 2021 graduate of Liberty University, Zwirb broadcast Flames hockey all four of his years on the Lynchburg, VA campus. He also hosts a podcast about the team.
“I learned the ropes of preparation and play-by-play so I feel that I can step into this position with confidence,” Zwirb smiles.
In addition to Emrick and Walton’s influence, playing hockey while growing up also fuels Zwirb’s love for broadcasting the sport. “I have a greater appreciation for the game because I have been on both sides of hockey, playing and broadcasting.”
That experience on the ice and on the mike has prepared Zwirb well to broadcast the sport’s big moments.