Michael Lehr Joins Broadcasting Team with Utica Comets & 94.9 KROCK

Jan 29, 2021

Utica Comets President Robert Esche announced today that the Comets have added Michael Lehr to their broadcasting and media relations team for the 2020-21 season. Lehr, who comes to the Comets from the University of Vermont, brings a wealth of broadcasting, social media, and IT experience to the organization. A graduate of Syracuse University, Lehr will serve as the radio voice of the Comets on Galaxy Communication’s 94.9 KROCK and will travel with the team on road matchups. 94.9 KROCK enters their eighth year as the radio home of the Comets.

 

Michael Lehr joins the Comets for his first season of working in the American Hockey League. From a hockey family, Lehr spent his early life in Ohio, California and New Jersey. He comes to Utica with a range of experience in college and professional sports.

 

Most recently he spent three years as the broadcaster for the University of Vermont Men’s Hockey team. Vermont is the alma mater of Jamie Sifers, the 2018-2019 Utica Comets AHL Man of the Year. Lehr also called games for the university’s basketball, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey teams on the ESPN family networks. His professional career started in minor league baseball as the voice of the Aberdeen Ironbirds in Maryland. He has also created videos, podcasts, graphics and provided inside looks at the various teams he has worked for.

 

Lehr was lucky to call Central New York home as a student at Syracuse University. He graduated from SU having filled a variety of broadcast roles but hangs his hat on his three-year career as “Otto the Orange.” While the skates and the mascot suit are on the shelf, Lehr’s career as a broadcaster allows his mother to still call herself a “hockey mom.”

 

“I’m so excited to be back in Central New York and to be a part of the community here,” expressed Lehr. “The fan base in Utica is among the best in the league. I am thrilled about the opportunity to connect with them and to share the stories of our players.”

 

“Michael brings an added value to not our broadcasting team, but our Comets staff as a whole,” said Comets President Robert Esche. “His experience with digital media and communications will help elevate our radio and social media brand throughout the season, and we look forward to his future growth in the organization.”