Rob Kerr is loved by Calgary hockey fans (despite being originally from Edmonton) and seems to really like his job as a sportscaster following the Western Division Calgary Flames.  He also writes a blog: http://blog.rogersradiointernet.com/robkerr

He spends the hockey season watching the workouts and games of this top squad with stars Huselius, Iginla, and Tanguay, in goal Kiprusoff and now with backup Curtis ‘Cujo’ Joseph.  He then goes on the radio and talks sports on the local FAN radio, where they spend much more time talking hockey than here on our WFAN.  Rob is routinely mentioned as the best thing on the station.  Rob started in Juniors, and this past year was a winner of the Marty Knack Award which recognizes members of the media for their outstanding passion and coverage of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Rob was kind enough to grant an interview for our pee wees:

How did you wind up working in broadcasting?
I first got involved in 1992 when I was working in Fort Mcmurray, Alberta,
the Alberta Winter Games came to town and I volunteered with the local cable
company to provide coverage of some of the events. I enjoyed it and
continued volunteering with ABC Cable 10 running cameras, directing shows,
and hosting some. I would eventually get the chance to do Play by Play of
the Fort McMurry Oil Barons of the AJHL for 3 years. In 1995 I left the
Alberta Forest Service, where I had worked as a Forest Ranger, and went back
to school in Calgary, enrolling in Broadcast News at the Southern Alberta
Institute of Technology.

What is the best part of following the team?

The best part is seeing everything from a closer perspective, watching a
game from the morning skate all the way through the final coaches press
conference, its unique and it gives you a whole new respect for what it
takes to play and coach at the highest level.

Is there some advice you would give to a young person who might want to work
in sports?

Make your own breaks, I got into this business with a bunch of people who
sat there and expected the breaks to come to them. I have covered every
sport possible, I have covered every event possible, I have volunteered to
do things that on the surface didn’t seem to have any bearing on my end
goals. But you have to build a base, a base which will help you form your
opinions and it will help you ask the right questions. Start at the lowest
levels, do the least important jobs, but remember one thing I work harder
today covering the Calgary Flames then I did when I covered the Fort
McMurray Oil Barons, that’s the way it works.

Who is the most exciting player you have covered?

There is no doubt that Jarome Iginla is the most exciting player I have ever
been around, what he does on the ice speaks for itself. But the man off the
ice is even better, he is humble, he is thoughtful, and he really cares
about his team mates and the fans, he is the ultimate role model.

How is hockey different in Western Canada vs. the Maritimes or the US East
Coast?

Hockey in Western Canada is unique in its toughness, and the willingness to
play at both ends of the ice. We like a good fight, we like big hits, and
we enjoy good solid defensive hockey. Fans here are intelligent and
passionate, but demanding at the same time.

Thank you Rob. Maybe we will see you in the Cup finals!