John Kelly tapped as L.A. Kings play-by-play voice after St. Louis Blues ouster

John Kelly has found his new broadcasting home.

The longtime St. Louis Blues TV voice will be the lead play-by-play broadcaster for the L.A. Kings on FanDuel Sports Network West, joining the team’s lead analyst Jim Fox. Kelly, the son of legendary Blues announcer Dan Kelly, served as the play-by-play voice of the Blues for two decades before being unceremoniously let go by FanDuel Sports Network Midwest amid apparent cost-cutting. This year, the Blues will simulcast its announcers across both television and radio.

Kelly replaces Hall of Fame announcer Nick Nickson, who retired last season after calling Kings games for 44 years.

While Kelly will primarily be paired with Fox in the booth this season, the Kings will also rotate other analysts in for select games as Fox decided to cut back his schedule. Former Kings players Ray Ferraro, Tony Granato, and Jarret Stoll will join Kelly in the booth throughout the season.

According to the team’s release, Josh Schaefer, the Kings’ radio voice, will also call select games on television in relief of Kelly.

“We are thrilled to have such a strong, diverse and enthusiastic team of talent for L.A. Kings telecasts on FanDuel Sports Network,” Kings president Luc Robitaille said in the press release. “The L.A. Kings have always taken great pride in serving our fans with the best team of broadcasters in our sport, and this crew will certainly deliver the level of quality our fans have come to expect each season.”