You may have never met him, but you know his voice.
One of the most recognizable students on campus, junior Dominic Hennig is the broadcaster for FSU ice hockey. For now, he’s announcing for the Bulldogs, but this rising star has big plans for his future.
Hennig got his start in broadcasting when he was 14 years old. He was an announcer for the Santa Fe Roadrunners, a team in the North American Hockey League.
“I loved it, each weekend I’d get to fly out to wherever the team was playing,” Hennig said.
The gigs did not stop there. While most kids his age were getting their drivers’ licenses, Hennig was bolstering his résumé by announcing for the Detroit Dragons All-American hockey league in professional A hockey. The 16-year-old was not hesitant about broadcasting to thousands of fans.
After a short stint with the Detroit Dragons, Hennig was hired by Ferris State University to announce the program’s Division I men’s ice hockey games. At just 17 years old, he was the youngest announcer in NCAA history.
Not only does Hennig announce all the games for the Ferris State University hockey team, but he also contributes to the football team by working as the sideline reporter for the Bulldogs. Hennig’s FSU ties trace back to his older brother Nate Hennig who graduated last year and played for the hockey team from 2007-2011.
Hennig recently celebrated his 20th birthday. He is still announcing FSU hockey games, and he still loves every minute of it.
Even with all of his experience, the start of a new hockey season continues to bring Hennig excitement.
“I still get nervous for introductions, just knowing many people are listening,” Hennig said. “But the nervous feeling goes away 20 seconds into the game.”
Indeed, many people are listening and many people like what they hear. Hennig has been recognized by media outlets such as the Detroit Free Press, Macomb Daily, Grand Rapids Press, Big Rapids Pioneer, ABC WZZM 13 (Grand Rapids), CBS 9&10 (Cadillac) and NBC 7&4 (Traverse City).
A few months ago Hennig was honored as one of the four finalists for the Hershey Bears’ announcer position. The team, which is the minor league affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, was the top-rated minor league franchise in the 2009-10 season.
Isn’t announcing for a top-tier Division I hockey program enough for Hennig? What more could a young announcer want than to be listened to by thousands of fans nationally?
“My main goal is to become an NHL announcer,” Hennig said. “I know I will be.”
If and when he makes it to the top, Hennig won’t forget about FSU. The rising star will always have a place in his heart for Bulldog hockey