AHL Broadcasting Debut A Dream Come True For Abisalih

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While there are plenty of hockey players and coaches who have made their AHL debut on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 season, a play-by-play broadcaster from the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers made his AHL debut Saturday night as DJ Abisalih had the call on WILK News Radio for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' regular season opener at Mohegan Arena against the Charlotte Checkers.

Entering his 14th season as the voice of the Nailers and approaching 1,000 ECHL broadcasts, Abisalih made the five-hour drive from Wheeling, West Virginia to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in what he described as a truly memorable experience - AHL broadcast #1.

"I'm going to do my 1,000th game next month. So, yeah, it's been a long time coming," Abisalih told InsideAHLHockey.com. "Obviously, these opportunities don't come every day, and you put your time in, and you work hard. And I love what I do. I love Wheeling. They've treated me so so well over the years. And to be able to get that notice by the organization where Wilkes-Barre/Scranton probably could have, you know, gone to anybody in this area, but they were willing to get me out here, five hours away, because they've seen how much dedication that I put into it."

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins broadcaster Nick Hart would normally simulcast on TV and Radio during the AHL Penguins' home games that are on local television, but due to Saturday afternoon's Penn State vs. USC college football game the television and radio broadcasts needed to be separate.

That's why, according to Abisalih, Hart reached out to him a few weeks ago presenting the opportunity for Abisalih to have the call on the radio side.

The Wheeling Nailers did have a preseason game Saturday night, but after talking to his superiors with the Nailers they were more than happy to oblige his request to come to Wilkes-Barre.

"It was one of those things where it's like they knew that it would mean the world to me to get this opportunity," Abisalih explained. "So they were happy to let me go, and I'm so glad I did. This is such a great experience."

Abisalih is no stranger to AHL hockey. He grew up in the Portland, Maine area and saw the former AHL club Portland Pirates play many games - including against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

And on Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins put on quite a show and gave Abisalih plenty to talk about as the Pens and Checkers combined for 13 goals. Most notably, Abisalih was able to call Penguins prospect Tristan Broz's first career pro goal.

Even though the Penguins fell short in a 7-6 setback, the experience and opportunity was truly a dream come true moment on Saturday night for Abisalih - getting the 'call-up' after 13 years of dedication and hard work doing play-by-play broadcasts in the ECHL.

"Yeah, this means a ton to be able to work in a league that I grew up watching," Abisalih said, adding, "and, still to this day, hoping to ultimately get into it on a full time basis."

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