Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Jumbotron adds life to in-game action

Kelowna Rockets game day presentation doesn’t go unnoticed

Sep 19, 2023 | 8:00 AM

If you’ve ever attended a Kelowna Rockets home game, you will notice the Jumbotron at centre ice.

You can’t miss it, with four LED screens measuring 6.5 feet high by 12 feet wide perched above the score clock providing game action, replays, and team messaging during a game.

Much of what is seen to improve the in-game experience for the fans pales in comparison to the working bees behind the scenes that make the electronic display come to life.

“There are about 12 of us on the crew,” Greg Truman, the Broadcast Services Manager for the Kelowna Rockets told RocketFAN. “We have eight cameras, so that takes four operators, a lighting person, a replay operator, and even someone on graphics.”

SW Event Technology, investing millions of dollars in equipment, has been the video provider for the Rockets organization since 2009 when the Jumbotron was added at Prospera Place by GSL Group, which owns and operates the building.

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“I typically get to the arena by two o’clock in the afternoon for a game that starts at 7:05 pm,” Truman added. “I put out all the cameras and put out the ice mics that are used for the radio broadcasts that provide a whole lot of atmosphere for, not only 104.7 The LIZARD’s audience, but for our WHL webcast feed.”

Truman first started as a cameraman with the crew 14 years ago, but over time, slowly moved his way up the ladder, to where now, he essential guides the ship.

“I’ve been a part of this community for 30 years,” Truman said. “I’ve done broadcast television for 25, so it has been a good ride.”

The objective for Truman and his crew is to not miss any of the action. That includes goals, great saves, bone-crunching hits, and the occasional marriage proposal thrown into the mix.

“We have four people on camera, and then we have a static camera in the penalty boxes, a robotic camera, and a sky cam.”

The penalty box may be the most comical of the eight [cameras] to capture the action.

“I’ve seen players use towels to cover them [cameras] up,” Truman said with a smile. “Sometimes angry players put sticks in the way so we can’t show their facial impressions after they take a penalty. No one has damaged one yet, which is good.”

With all the bases covered, the assembled group in a small control room inside the arena must work in unison to make the magic happen.

“The new lighting in the building has really helped the video product,” Truman explained, revealing his attention to detail approach. “In 2009, we had old tungsten lights that were kind of orange and cast a lot of shadows because technically they weren’t in the right spot, but the updated lighting and the colour temperature is much better to make a broadcast look more visually appealing.”

While the objective is to not miss a minute of the action, with replays being one of the greatest tools used to make the video screen come alive, there are certain guidelines Truman and his team must follow.

“If there is an injury on the ice, out of respect, we wait until the player is up before possibly showing a replay.”

Once the game is over, and the outcome is decided, Truman’s work doesn’t end there.

“We do the three stars and show the players coming onto the ice,” Truman said, outlining the routine with ease. “We collect all the gear from the rink side, and then the highlights from each period are uploaded onto the WHL website as soon as we can, so the media can use it if they so desire.”

Truman admits the efforts of everyone to make a great product is very rewarding.

“The broadcasts we put out are more of a television broadcast that you would see on any of the major networks like TSN or Sportsnet, with all the cameras in the same places they would have them in.

“With a live broadcast anything can happen, but at the end of the day it’s fun”.