Chasing the Dream, Finding the Booth | Josh Bogorad

Show Notes

In Episode 198 of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner sits down with the television and radio voice of the Dallas Stars, Josh Bogorad, for a deep dive into the winding road that led him from Los Angeles to the NHL broadcast booth.

Josh shares how one childhood hockey game during the Gretzky era changed everything — sparking a dream that would take him through club hockey broadcasts, minor league bus trips, Alaska championships, and years of grinding before finally breaking into the NHL.

They unpack:

The reality of chasing a broadcasting dream

What it’s like replacing legendary voices and working alongside Daryl Reaugh

The unique chemistry behind the Stars’ long-running simulcast format

Why hockey’s culture feels different from other sports

And how learning what not to call is the secret to mastering play-by-play

Plus, they reflect on USA Hockey’s recent gold medal moment and what it means for growing the sport in non-traditional markets.

If you love sports broadcasting, hockey, or stories about betting on yourself when no one guarantees the outcome — this one delivers.

Tune in and experience the game through the voice that calls it.

Chapters

0:00 – Opening Banter & Episode 198
3:00 – Growing Up in Los Angeles During the Gretzky Era
6:30 – The First Hockey Game That Changed Everything
10:45 – Why Hockey Over Baseball, Football, or Basketball?
15:15 – Chasing the Dream Through College & Minor Leagues
20:25 – Alaska: The Unexpected Career Turning Point
24:35 – Breaking Into the NHL Circle
30:30 – Replacing Legends & Working With Razor
38:00 – The Chemistry Behind the Stars Broadcast
42:50 – Mid-Show Read
46:50 – Why Hockey’s Culture Feels Different
56:45 – USA Hockey’s Gold & Growing the Game
1:05:20 – Calling the Chaos: The Art of Play-by-Play
1:12:00 – Learning What Not to Call
1:18:00 – Final Reflections & The Love of the Game

Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: 
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion

IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445

The Old Grey Wolf: 
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579

To reach out email us at: [e-mail]

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Matthew Kamper
• W hammons
• B Smith
• Robert Stoolfire
• Thaddeus D. Matula
• Rachel W
• Scott Lewis
• John Clayton
• cody SIMS
• John Gilbert
• Robert Saunders
• Kiffer
• Sidney Long
• Pattie Rhyner Davidson
• David
• Ashlea Bullington
• James Corona
• Gordy
• John C Caffey
• Joe Lindsey
• Cam
• Jillian Wright
• Harry Perdomo
• David Moore
• Becca Moore
• Mike Rhyner
• Becca Moore

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Creators and Guests

Host

Mike Rhyner

Mike Rhyner… "a little on the bumpy side, but rather likable"…so stated famously by a grade school teacher in Oak Cliff, where Mike grew up. A complicated guy, yet a guy who can do long division and remember call strike three to A Rod. Probably best left unattended. Don't expect assistance from him if a medical situation arises.

What is Your Dark Companion Podcast?

"Whatever I want it to be about on a given day; is what it is." Your Dark Companion couples your familiar friends from radio, Mike and Grubes! Mike brings his classic interviews that draw you in, and Grubes—The Devil—drops…well the drops, and throws the occasional grenade. Mike likes to draw on his fascinating acquaintances and friends allowing them to tell their stories as you've never heard them. But he also goes outside his network, sharing Grubes' network, and often outside of both, to bring you those they don't know, but believe have a story that will make you laugh, make you think, think differently, or just entertain you…"that's what we are trying to do here."