When Dave Goucher was presented with the opportunity to become the television play-by-play voice for the Golden Knights, it seemed every bit as unique as the idea itself that Las Vegas, one of the most quirky cities in the world, was going to be the home of the NHL’s next franchise.
He wanted to build his portfolio, an impressive one that spanned 17 years as the radio voice for the Bruins and included many unforgettable moments – the crown jewel being the team’s Stanley Cup championship during the 2010-11 season.
Goucher had tasted life as a TV broadcaster and wanted to immerse himself in it. More importantly, though, he relished the idea of being the first voice to introduce the game to a new fan base along with color commentator Shane Hnidy.
“There’s always something to be said to being the first person your fan base is exposed to and that was something that drew us to the job,” Goucher said in a phone interview Friday from Washington D.C. “We could get in, grow the game, and get in on the ground floor. I’ve been able to call some big games in Boston and even in those scenarios, whether it was a seventh game or a Stanley Cup Final, I was always more excited than nervous because it was a great opportunity. Where else would you rather be in those moments than calling a game like that? I came at this with a great deal of excitement and being part of something fresh, new and different and it’s delivered in all those areas.”
What’s unfolded in Las Vegas since then has been unthinkable. The Knights entered the weekend three games away from winning the Stanley Cup in its first-ever season. They didn’t have any players on the roster a year ago. Now their roster is driven by an iron-clad bond – a Motley crew of castoff characters from the other 30 teams who are thriving in their new surroundings. Some of them, such as Colin Miller, Reilly Smith, and Malcolm Subban, are former Bruins players who’ve rekindled their careers.
The thrill for Goucher is that he’s able to shape that narrative and deliver it to an audience that’s become infatuated with the team in every sense. The bar has been set incredibly high, but the thinking is that GM George McPhee and the Golden Knights have built something sustainable for the future, rather than a gimmick one-hit wonder.
“There’s nobody on Earth that ever would've thought they’d had the best single season in the NHL when you put together all the circumstances,” Goucher said. “But I don’t think they are too worried about that. They were not shy about the fact they were confident they’ve had a pretty good team, but there's a huge difference in having a good team and playing for the Stanley Cup. They relish that challenge of following up what’s been an incredible first season and not having it be a flash in the pan.”
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final was a thriller in its own right, a 6-4 win for the Golden Knights. It was also a memorable effort from ex-Bruins pieces. Miller, who was left exposed by the Bruins in the expansion draft, scored the first goal for the Golden Knights. Smith, who played for the Bruins from 2013-15 and then was dealt to the Panthers, scored in the second period to give his team a 3-2 lead. Even Brett Connolly, who played two years for Boston, got in on the action for the Washington Capitals and scored.
Wondering why Bruins players didn’t have such success in Boston is fruitless fodder. Sometimes the change of scenery and culture is all a player needs, which really has been the defining identity for this Vegas team.
Miller, who played most of his time in Boston under former coach Claude Julien, had a breakout season with 10 goals and 31 assists and didn’t miss a game. He had 29 points in 103 games with the Bruins and was able to distinguish himself from the log jam of defenders on the blue line.
What’s helped him succeed in Vegas is a immense confidence boost and a trusting coaching staff, according to Goucher, who credited assistant coach Ryan McGill. Miller had always offensively talented, but Vegas was willing to let him grow the defensive portion of his game, even when it was rocky at times.
“The offensive aspect at times will lead to mistakes, and the ability for him to get right back on the ice has been important to his development,” Goucher said. “Where in times past, with the Bruins, if he made a mistake he might not see the ice for a while. Out here, if he does make the mistake from time to time, (the message is), ‘Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,’ and if it does happen, they’re not big dwellers. He’s really benefited from that approach.”
It was clear that Subban, the Bruins' No. 24 selection from the 2012 draft, was not fitting into the team’s plans when put him on waivers in October.
Subban struggled to seize the prime backup job in Boston and in his only two games with the Bruins, he allowed three goals in both. The Golden Knights saw potential, though, and claimed him when the Bruins tried tucking him away in Providence.
In 22 games for Vegas, Subban went 13-4-2 and provided steady play behind Marc-Andre Fleury.
“(Goaltending coach) Dave Prior felt there was a lot of untapped talent still there with Subban and that was a significant reason in why they took him,” Goucher said. “The other part, and it factors in with everyone on this roster, is everyone was deemed expendable by the teams they were with. And that’s been the driving force all season long. Everybody looked at this as an opportunity for a fresh start and an opportunity to prove people wrong.”
The change of scenery has brought different obstacles for Goucher, too, and he’s embraced every bit of it. Working for television involves a bigger production with more staff, which is something Goucher craved. The Rhode Island native also had to transition to life as a recognizable face, no longer behind the anonymity of being a voice on the radio.
The short walk from the parking garage into T-Mobile Arena often leads to interactions with excited fans. The pregame show on the outdoor mezzanine deck brings even more excitement.
One of the biggest differences is that when Goucher worked as a radio broadcaster, he got to call the games until the season’s end. Once a team gets past the first round, national networks broadcast the games.
That’s why the experiences in Boston are near to Goucher’s heart, but he knew that shortened run was part of the deal when he took the job.
He just didn’t envision it would come into play his first season, where the Golden Knights have not only surpassed, but rocketed past all expectations.
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