Derek Wills - like or dislike?

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Ive been meaning to start a thread on this for a while now.

He is growing on me. ID probably give him a 6 or 7 right now. You can tell he is new at this level which is fine because every broadcaster starts with zero NHL games experience.

His voice is unique. To me he sounds like a Simpsons character. I can't pinpoint whose voice exact it reminds me of me of though.

I think having Loubo with his cartoon voice as a sidekick doesn't do Willis any favours. If you caught a clip of them talking without knowing who they were, you would think it was a comedy skit or a cartoon impression.

I think Willis will get better with experience and will grow on people as well. Hopefully he gets a new sidekick in the future.

Ned Flanders. I've had that image since the first time I heard him

[Arya Stark]

Listened to him a few times and didn't think he was that good. He doesn't explain the play like Maher does and it was hard to understand what was going on in the play especially when him and Loubardias start talking about other things while the game is going on.

Hard to replace Maher but haven't been impressed so far. Still early tbough and lots of time to learn.

[Coach]

I like him. I find him entertaining. I've been listening to games more than watching and I think he has a good voice and some off-the-cuff jokes that most people wouldn't make. It makes me laugh. I can understand why people wouldn't really like or want that humour, but I personally enjoy it.

I beliive he once mentioned the Oilers (or some team, let's assume them) "took a big poo on the ice." And followed up with "Did you just say poo on the radio?"

Some people may have thought it idiotic and unnecessary, but I enjoyed it. He also rags on the Oilers A LOT. I think he's really enjoying being the Flames' voice.

[puckedoff]

I've only heard his play calling a bit and it was during the first period of play. For the most part he was not calling the game but rather talking about the different players/etc which is maybe normal for early in the game.

What I don't like about him is that he is so much of a 'homer', and he heaps praise on the team and players when it is not warranted. I would prefer if he were much more objective, rather than sounding like a fan.

[Azhouse]

His voice is way to shrill and high for me. I suppose I will get used to it after a couple of years. I enjoy his between period game analysis and his Flames updates on the Flames @ 5 but do not care for his play by play.

[Table 5]

Overall, I really like his passion for hockey and I think he does a pretty good call call of the game. I also think he has some really good analysis of the team in general, and is an improvement of Pater Maher in that respect. I'm not crazy about his voice overall, but I'll get over it (kind of like I got over Peter Loubardias).

The thing that bugs me the most about him though is how he calls goals. When the puck goes in, he doesn't call it right away. Instead there is always this Sportsnet-like delay, and then he slows his voice down to call the goal, and does this weird elevated voice thing that reminds me of the Yes guy on the Simpsons (http://www.soundboard.com/sb/YesGuy). I think he forgets that radio listeners can't see the game he sees, and thus first and foremost want to know what's happening. When there's a big play, I want to know what happens now and in an excited voice, not in some long drawn out sentence.

I hope that's something he can improve on, because otherwise I think he's doing a pretty good job for his first year.

[waner]

He certainly no Maher but that is to be expected. I would say I am fairly neutral on him right now and would give him a full season before making any strong opinions either way. He does a fine job of calls g the play but I don't think at this point it is anymore than that. I think the best guys add more than that.

Still can't stand Loubo though. I thought him moving to the colour role from PBP would be a big improvement and good fit but he is still very grating both in his voice and long winded boring stories.

[rayne008]

I'm pretty impressed - his PBP paints an accurate picture.
I also like the fact he's very prepared and insightful for his morning and afternoon spots.

[Greybeard]

Doing a good job so far. Will get better as he gets feedback and finds out what fan base wants. He seems to have great work ethic and really wants to get better. So, he probably will.

TV is 100% better. Great combo. Pleased with both media outlets.

[RyZ]

I like Wills, he is doing a great job so far replacing Peter Maher. He keeps up with the game just fine. Loubo is great too, one of my very favorite guys in the booth. Overall a pretty strong combo with a rookie at the helm.

[Muta]

I have grown to really dislike this guy. He sounds incredibly dorky and just makes the broadcast sound amateur, IMO. Wish they would have gotten someone with way more charisma and a lower voice.

He sounds so 'family friendly' it's uncomfortably awkward.

[Ozy_Flame]

Don't like him. Sounds too contrived. Adds a gruff undertone when he's trying to exaggerate names and words, almost like he's trying to copy Beasley. The way he says "he scores!" is just so phony. Loubo needs to coach him a bit or something. Maybe he needs to watch some of the CBC vets, I don't know. You can tell he's passionate about it all, but his delivery needs help.

[edn88]

When I moved to Calgary, Peter Maher used to drive me nuts and I thought he was unlistenable. That changed over time and like aquiring a taste for a good whiskey, I found that I enjoyed his style and voice.

I think that the same is true of Wills - at first listening to him on the radio was akward, and he does have some of his own oddities, but I too now find that he is growing on me.

[killer_carlson]

I listen to many games on the radio broadcast, so i've probably heard 10 or so (including preseason) by now.

He's staking out his turf still and feeling like he has to prove himself a bit in the big leagues. I get it. His best asset is Loubardias whose timing is excellent and Wills should follow his lead when to calm down a bit.

The two have had a couple of awkward spats thus far, with Loubardias really going out of his way to help the guy and get past it. I chalk it up to the new guy wanting to prove he should be in the bigs.

They are getting better together and I think Wills will end up being an awesome PBP guy, especially if Loubardias sticks around as well.

[Robbob]

I have only heard a few minutes worth of the radio team and didn't mind them at all. I think it is all important not to compare him to Maher, but to other pbp on other teams. I think the flames have the start of a good thing going.

[Chill Cosby]

When you can tell he's actually excited, it comes right out in his voice and he's one of the best (easily heard during a few of our come-from-behind victories in the 3rd period). When he's calling a play straight, he's also fantastic. Clear and concise.

However, when he's adding fake excitement (as was mentioned, occasionally when he says "he scores!" you can tell), then he loses it.

It'll come. As he gets attached to this team and settles in things will become more natural and relaxed.

[Badgers Nose]

He has the whitest voice I have ever heard. He sounds like a parody of a play by play guy.

He TALKS...... very WEIRD... at the start of... HIS broadcasts.

Once he gets warmed up he is good.

If loosens up a bit I think he will be fine.

Between him an Lou its like listening to a couple of guys getting reamed at colon check time.

(I am white and have had my colon checked, before anyone goes crying to a mod)

[FFR]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

hard to compare a guy in first season as an NHL broadcaster to a vet like Maher. On tradition alone Peter' voice is Flames hockey.

That being said, Derek is a solid 7/10. Calls a game very similar to Peter, but perhaps not quite as into it... I would guess that will come with time as well.

The funny thing about that is... I remember listening to an interview on the radio with him - I think before he'd called any games - and he mentioned that he was told by 'someone' (he named the person - don't remember who) that he should tone it down a bit and not be so excited right off the hop. He said that he's careful now to have different tones/excitement levels for different parts of the game.

[Enoch Root]

I think he and Loubardias are great.

Peter Maher was a legend and we were lucky to have him. That isn't Wills' fault. Or problem.

[jlh2640]

In Wills defence he had to replace Peter Maher. Unfair for him. I think Wills is doing a great job helped by the awesome performance of Lou as usual.

I really like Ball and Hrudey though !