Mark Lewis (announcer)
Mark Lewis is the former public address announcer for the Edmonton Oilers.
Mark Lewis | |
---|---|
Years active | 1981-2016 |
Known for | Public address announcer for the Edmonton Oilers (1981–2016) |
Spouse(s) | Anita Lewis |
Lewis' background was in radio and television broadcasting having started his 40 year media career in 1969. Stops in Quebec City, Montreal, Newfoundland & Ontario brought him to BC and eventually Alberta. A career that saw him work as a DJ took a new twist and radio and TV sales became his calling card. Sales began at CBC Television Edmonton and Corus Radio Edmonton.[1] In 1981, Lewis became the PA announcer for the 1981 Canada Cup, held in Edmonton at Northlands Coliseum. Mark became the announcer for the Edmonton Oilers in 1981.[2][3]
Lewis' pregame routine involved picking up game notes, scouting player line-ups in the Edmonton media lounge, and checking pronunciations of players' names, which presented difficulties given the multi-national nature of the sport and the state of technology at the time. A review of the PA game script was part of the pre game routine.[3] Mark announces the starting lineups, all goals, penalties and other in-arena announcements.[4][5][6]
On January 4, 2016, Lewis announced his retirement from announcing after 35 years at the microphone, effective after the 2015-16 NHL season.[7] Upon Lewis' retirement, Scott Bourgeois was named as his replacement.[8] Lewis briefly came out of retirement to call some games of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs as Edmonton served as a hub city.
References
- "L". Edmonton Broadcasters. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- "Crystal with Jason Strudwick & Mark Lewis Video - NHL VideoCenter - Edmonton Oilers". Video.oilers.nhl.com. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- "Behind the Mic: Mark Lewis Video - NHL VideoCenter - Edmonton Oilers". Video.oilers.nhl.com. 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- "BT Edmonton Blogs » Blog Archive » Oilers DID YOU KNOW? Now I do–thanks Jessica. I met the PA announcer too!". Blogs.btedmonton.ca. 2010-01-28. Archived from the original on 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- "CANOE - SLAM! Sports: Junior WorldJunior - WJC: Simply the Best". Slam.canoe.ca. 2012-01-02. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- Tait, Cam. "The faceless voices of the game that means so much | Edmonton Journal". Blogs.edmontonjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- "Edmonton Oilers Press release - Long-time PA announcer Mark Lewis announces retirement". Oilers.NHL.com. 2016-01-04. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- Bourgeois Is New Oilers P. A. Announcer