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A push by the Melfort Mustangs fan base propelled their play-by-play broadcaster to something he never imagined possible— calling virtual SJHL games.
Mat Barrett, now in his third year of calling real SJHL games with the Mustangs on CJVR in Melfort, has done a few virtual games with the league the past few weeks. But, he wouldn’t have been there without support from those around him.
He said when the SJHL originally posted on its social media channels that it would be carrying the games on NHL 20 twitch broadcasts, a big local push to get him on began.
“They really wanted me to do the games,” he told 650 CKOM Tuesday. “It was quite awesome to see all these fans and these (Mustang) supporters really wanting me to jump on with the SJHL and do these games.”
He said he got a text a few days later from Munz Media, one of the companies facilitating the virtual broadcasts, asking if he’d be willing to jump on.
It didn’t take long for Barrett to make a decision, as he took it as an opportunity to continue to grow the game from a unique vantage point.
“The sky’s the limit really when it comes to things like this,” he said.
“It’s really something fun. The players are watching, the fans— I think it’s something to fill that sports void and bring some team pride into it.”
Currently, the SJHL’s virtual broadcast of the simulated playoffs is midway through the Canalta Cup Semi-Final series. Barrett’s Mustangs are deadlocked at two games apiece in their best of seven series with the Flin Flon Bombers.
In the other series, the defending Canalta Cup champions, the Battlefords North Stars, are also tied at two games apiece with the Yorkton Terriers.
When it comes to the action on the ice, which is entirely simulated with two computer teams playing one another, it creates some adjustments for Barrett.
He’s used to calling games from a press box, now, it’s the studio in Regina that also houses broadcasts of the Rod Pedersen Show.
“It’s just a dynamic between you and the co-host. It’s less play-by-play and more hosting, and more bringing the fans in and making sure there’s that other element of enjoyment, rather than just sitting there and watching two computers play a video game against each another,” he said.
“To a point, you feel like you’re broadcasting regular games and real games. You feel like some of the fans almost take it like it’s real at times.”
Munz Media teamed up with IKS Media to broadcast the games, which Barrett says have been “all out” in terms of production and bringing the games to life.
“You really gotta go 100 percent all out with this. And they’ve done that. And I think its worked out in (the SJHL’s) favour,” he said.
The games are regularly bringing in 100 to 200 viewers on a nightly basis, topping off near 300 viewers according to Barrett.
The media teams have brought in multiple broadcasters on board to help out, including the Notre Dame Hounds’ play-by-play broadcaster in Jamie Neugebauer, along with the SJHL’s longtime communications and in-house writer and broadcaster, Mike Stackhouse. Darren Dupont, Amanda Ruller, and multiple player guests have also appeared on the broadcasts.
When it comes to the upcoming league finals, set to begin next week, Barrett says it’s anyone’s guess as to who finishes off the season as the SJHL’s virtual champions.
“Who knows, with things like this, you never really know,” he said. “It’s really, take your pick.”
As for Barrett, he’s hoping to get back to Regina as the virtual season wraps up, to get back on the broadcast.
If he doesn’t get that opportunity though, he said he is happy with what the league has accomplished as a whole in the challenging times of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“They’ve done a great job with this, and I’m grateful to be along for the ride. I’m having a lot of fun with it.”
