Coastal Tsunami
June and July are usually the months for many graduations.
For several PJHL media personnel, the end of June marked the end of a two-year period at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where diplomas were awarded.
Zach Clarke (Play-By-Play Broadcaster of the White Rock Whalers and Port Coquitlam Trailblazers), Liam Higgs (Colour Commentary for the White Rock Whalers and Port Coquitlam Trailblazers), Jordan Wong and Chris Georges (Commentator for the Port Moody Panthers), Bryce Taylor (P.A. Announcer for the Langley Trappers), and Jagraj Lalli (Commentator for the Richmond Sockeyes and Delta Ice Hawks) all graduated this year, along with the voice of the Tsunami – Giancarlo Nadeau.
Clarke, Higgs, and Lalli graduated from the Broadcast and Online Journalism program, while Wong, Georges, Taylor, and Nadeau completed the Radio Arts and Entertainment program. Both programs did an excellent job of preparing students for life off-campus and teaching them how to work in the PJHL.

Growing up listening to Jim Hughson inspired Clarke to pursue a similar journey. The Broadcast and Online Journalism program taught him to perform on-air vocally, edit videos, interact professionally, and operate industry equipment.
Clarke claims that being able to graduate was similar to the way he feels about working in the PJHL – a great feeling. “My favourite part of my job in the PJHL is easily calling the games. Getting to add excitement and energy to the wonderful sport of hockey is the most fun in the world,” he said. “Every game is different, and the organizations I work for treat us amazingly,” added Clarke.
He hopes to one day be able to Broadcast in the NHL – a dream he has had for years.

It’s hard to find Zach Clarke at a hockey game and not see Liam Higgs. The two are close with one another and do much of their broadcast work together. They have both graduated from the same program.
Higgs has played hockey since he was five years old. Once he realized a playing career in the NHL would likely never pan out, he was forced to get a job. “I worked some labour jobs for a while and didn’t like it, so I thought about how I could do something I love, ” explained Higgs. “After trying coaching, doing some research, and knowing I also love to talk, I landed on broadcasting,” he admitted.
He learned a lot at BCIT but claimed that learning to market himself was the most important. “I’ll be honest, I still need to get better at it, but that’s a huge skill,” he expressed. Graduation allowed him to see classmates he hadn’t seen in a while.
He enjoys being at the rink and plans to stay in the industry while growing and diversifying his portfolio.

The final member of a PJHL team to graduate from this program was Jagraj Lalli.
Lalli admits to falling in love with the game before falling in love with being on a microphone. “I vividly remember pretending to broadcast hockey games as I watched them on TV, which sparked my interest in pursuing a career in broadcasting,” he said.
He enjoys being able to work for both the Sockeyes and Ice Hawks. His passion for the sport and what he does is evident. “I always hope to balance passion and impartiality, ensuring all viewers feel included and informed throughout the game,” he claimed.
It was a spectacular experience for him to see how proud his family was of him and to have the chance to graduate alongside other PJHL media personnel.
Lalli was recently announced as the voice of the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles and hopes to get more people interested in hockey, particularly within underrepresented communities in the broadcasting world. “I hope to be a role model for aspiring broadcasters from diverse backgrounds and to continue expanding hockey’s reach through engaging commentary and increased representation in the sport,” he expressed.

Unlike his other PJHL family members, Bryce Taylor was the only individual to spend the past season as a Public Address Announcer.
Taylor spent the 2023-24 season with the Langley Trappers. Working in the media industry has been his dream ever since. “Most kids watch sports and want to be the athletes. I wanted to be behind the microphone,” he said proudly.
Being a P.A. Announcer in the PJHL allowed him to find his voice and raise his confidence. It was an ideal place to grow as a performer. “The best part was how the Trappers welcomed me into the family with open arms. They were patient with me, and that helped so much early on,” he admitted.
Graduation was a special day and one he won’t forget. He plans to use his education and current experiences to work in radio for a few years while announcing various sports, including wrestling.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about some of the individuals who play important roles with their respective PJHL clubs.