Foto con el portero Al Montoya, Primer Cubano-Americano en la Liga….
Articulo del Sun-Sentinel de Craig Davis…
Arley Londono, the Florida Panthers’ original Spanish-language announcer, recalls being tucked away in a cramped broadcast booth near the rafters at Miami Arena to call the games in the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals.
Space is ample at Panthers games these days, but Londono hopes to rekindle hockey interest in the Hispanic community when he does the first Spanish radio broadcast since the Panthers moved to Broward County at Thursday’s game.
It is Hispanic Heritage Night at the BB&T Center and the first of three games this season that will be on ESPN Deportes (1210 AM in Miami, 760 AM in West Palm Beach).
“For me it’s a special moment,” said Londono, who did the Spanish radio broadcasts from the 1993-94 inaugural season through 1996. “Now with [Cuban-American goalie] Al Montoya on the team, it’s a great challenge to restart the mission to teach hockey to the Spanish community.”
Attracting fans in any language has been a challenge for the Panthers in recent years. Londono believes hockey has potential to create interest in the Hispanic community because it offers nonstop action and similarities to soccer.
He points out that many kids in the community started playing it when the Panthers made their memorable run to the Cup finals.
“I remember all the city was involved with that situation. It was a great moment for the franchise,” Londono said, adding that he hopes the number of Spanish broadcasts will be expanded next season.
“That is the mission right now, to connect the Spanish population with this sport. This is the first step, and I hope next year we’ll have it all season.”