Charlottetown Knights’ Luke Mutch grows through broadcasting experience

"You’ve got to be like a sponge and absorb all the information."

Luke Mutch is ready for play-by-play action as the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights warm up prior to their first playoff game against the Kensington Wild on March 7.

(Reegan MacAulay)

Luke Mutch was 16 and a goaltender for the Pownal Minor Hockey Association.

He’d played house league for years. But this was his first year at the U18 level and he was questioning his ability to play at a higher level.

“I was like, ‘Alright, I’m not good enough to keep doing this, like play at a better level. I’m not good at all.’”

He continued to play, but the question remained in the back of his mind.

One day, he got the idea of considering another journey in the hockey business -- broadcasting.

“I messaged my buddy Jude Campbell, who was in his rookie year with the Charlottetown Knights, and he got me the info for getting in contact with the team president, Gord Beck.”

An email to Beck would give new hope to Mutch’s future in hockey.

“I tried commentary the next season, stuck with it, and I’ve been there ever since.”

Today, Mutch is in his second season as the social media manager of the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights Major U18 hockey club, along with providing play-by-play and colour commentary with the help of Universum Media.

Mutch’s experience with the Knights is one he’ll never forget.

“My favourite part of the experience has been being the same age as the guys. I just love being able to go on the road and feel like I’m part of the team.

“With [goaltender] Kiefer Thompson being injured this year, I’ve been able to practice with the team. They’ll score some, but every now and then, I’ll make this amazing save and the boys will just give it to whoever missed.”

“It’s great to get to know the guys as they advance their careers.”

Mutch’s favourite game with the Knights was one with UPEI Panthers men’s hockey commentator Bo Ford.

“I was talking to a bunch of the guys before the game, and while they were telling me all these things, one thing I said was, ‘I’d be surprised if Jude Campbell doesn’t score.’ The next shift, he scores.

“Then, I was like, ‘Well, Isaac Vos is due for a goal. He said he wants to get his first of the year.’ Five seconds after, he scores. That was pretty cool because it was so random and I was so hot with my predictions.”

Despite Mutch being only in his second year with the Knights, his natural play-by-play talent has caught the attention of many well-known people in the industry, advancing his journey quicker than expected.

“Being with the Knights has helped me so much in advancing my journey. I can’t thank Gordie [Beck] enough for taking me on.

“There have been many people that I’ve met that, I didn’t think anything of, but then they ended up being so helpful.

“Scott MacLean, who owns Universum Media and has helped listen and produce what I do, took a liking to what was I doing, and he’s probably been my number one advocate.”

One day, Mutch got an email from John Moore, the broadcast organizer for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Saint John Sea Dogs.

“He asked me if I wanted to do away games with him, and I immediately said yes. He said someone recommended me but didn’t tell me who.”

Later, while talking to some of the former Knights players in the [Charlottetown] Islanders dressing room, commentator and scout Cory Arsenault walked by and noticed him.

“He says, ‘Oh, you’re Luke Mutch, right?’ I said yes, and he’s like, ‘Oh, I recommended you.’ I had never met him before, and he told me he had been listening to me on the Knights broadcasts.

“Told me I sounded good, and he thought I deserved a shot. That was cool.”

The recommendation and call would lead to Mutch commentating his first game at the major junior level with radio station 93 CFBC Saint John on Feb. 10, as the Sea Dogs visited Charlottetown.

Luke Mutch stands alongside broadcast partner Bruce H Smith after completing his first broadcast in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Luke Mutch photo

The level of profession was noticeably different from his usual activities with the Knights.

“I mean, the Knights are great, but the Q is a step up, and it gets more professional. With the Knights, you could wear a casual T-shirt, but for the Q, you must dress up. There’s a certain level of perfection to it.”

The biggest lesson he learned from the game came during a conversation with former National Hockey League commentator and current Islanders play-by-play announcer, George Matthews.

“He brought me over once, it was funny. I was supposed to go and see Islanders head coach Jim Hulton, but I wanted to see Scott MacLean, and then Matthews held me back for 30 minutes.

“He said the biggest thing most young broadcasters forget is, when you’re on the radio, it’s not TV. You have to describe what is happening. The puck is in the corner; well, which corner? Blocker or glove side corner? Closest to the broadcast booth?

“You have to be specific on what you’re saying to help the listener paint a picture in their mind.”

Mutch is scheduled to do two more games of commentary with the Sea Dogs on March 14 and 24 when the team plays in Charlottetown.

Along with the step up, he also recently commentated games at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, announcing in men’s hockey and wheelchair basketball.

“[Scott] MacLean, once again, helped me out with that opportunity. A committee had to listen to my voice, and I was happy to be chosen.

“It was a little odd with wheelchair basketball because I’m not really familiar with the sport, but regardless, I got to work with great people, and I really did a great job.

“I got a lot of compliments from people on Facebook, especially people from the other side of the country, which was cool to hear.”

The journey has impacted Mutch’s personal life on a level he never expected.

“It’s been great. There’s so many knowledgeable people. You’ve got to be like a sponge and absorb all the information. Try to put it to the best of use that I can, and really grow from the experiences and try to make myself better.

“It’s also helped me deal with criticism. You can’t please everybody 100 per cent of the time, it’s something you have got to deal with.

“I’ve had a few times at Knights’ games when parents of the visiting teams would get upset if I had an opinion on, let’s say, a penalty.

“Even at a tournament in Saint John last year, I got the Knights' president on the call to promote QMJHL draft-eligible players, and we got comments on the stream calling us out for being biased.

“I just looked at it like, well, I kind of had my hands tied. We’re streaming on our social media page, and it’s the team president of all people, like, what do you expect?”

Mutch will be committing to the journalism program at Holland College to further his education. He also plans to do more work with the Charlottetown Islanders.

“George [Matthews] is getting older and he wants to slow down a little bit. Cory wants to move more into the scouting department.

“Whenever I have the opportunity to fill in for George and Cory more, I’ll take it over.”

Mutch had one thing to say to people who may consider a similar journey to his.

"Don't be afraid to put your name out there."

Reegan MacAulay,

March 8, 2023.