Etem Swaps Skates for Headset in Joining Ducks Audio Booth

As one of the most prominent homegrown hockey players in Southern California history, Emerson Etem has worn many hats throughout his life in the game.

He's been the hot prospect, initially bursting onto the national scene as one of the first California players to excel at the well-known Shattuck St. Mary's prep school in Minnesota, notably the former home to a multitude of NHL greats like Sidney Crosby, Zach Parise and Jonathan Toews.

He's been a first-round pick, one by his hometown NHL team at that, and a member of the United States National Junior Team. He's played in the NHL, the AHL and overseas, and was part of Anaheim's run to the 2015 Western Conference Final.

Since retiring, he's donned the coach's whistle, leading the charge in bringing home a Tier-III junior hockey program known as the Long Beach Shredders. Etem also worked alongside the Ducks coaching staff at last year's development and training camps, offering a recent player's perspective to Ducks management while also trying to foster his own chops behind the bench.

But now, Etem will take on a completely new challenge, swapping the skates and stick for the headset in joining Anaheim's audio broadcast on Ducks Stream alongside longtime play-by-play man Steve Carroll.

"I wasn't really expecting it, to be honest, but I'm grateful the Ducks felt they saw something in me," the ever-humble Etem said. "I think it's a lot of pieces coming together that have kind of led to this.

"I feel like I keep getting chances here, and all that's telling me is they're truly trying to grow the game. I know it sounds maybe a little cliche, but how far the game has come here since when I was just starting, it's so fantastic."

Etem stepped into spot duty last year for one of the season's final contests, his first taste of the "Freeway Face-Off" behind the mic rather than on the ice.

"I called that game last season at the end of the year on short notice, and I think the Ducks appreciated what I could do in that short time," Etem said. "It was just being ready when your number is called."

The author of one of the most electrifying goals in Ducks history now steps back into a role he hasn't played in some time, the eyes-wide rookie leaning on his veteran partner for guidance.

"Steve made it really easy on me," Etem said of his first call with Carroll, who is closing in on 2,000 NHL games. "He laid it up on a tee every time or gave me a nod when he wanted me to speak and guided me through all that. It was seamless, and I thought our chemistry was great."

Etem added the vet-rookie relationship is even better from above the ice, where the watchful eye of the coaching staff doesn't affect your ice time.

"It's a little bit different in the sense that the veteran is less intimidated that you're coming to take his job," Etem said with a big laugh. "It's cutthroat when you're a player. It's certainly a team dynamic here, too, but a little less tense as to when your job is on the line."

On the air, Etem hopes to bring a unique perspective to the call, using his playing and coaching days to identify the moments, decisions and strategies that best tell a game's story.

"I think my approach is similar to when I'm at the drawing board as a coach or I'm speaking to players in groups," Etem said. "What are the players thinking right now? How can I relay the communication on the bench after a good shift? After a bad shift? What are the higher-end players thinking here? What did the players eat pregame? What could they have discussed in video sessions as far as changes being made to the gameplan? It really gives listeners a view inside of the game, right? I can dive into those nitty, gritty details that fans want to hear."

The former winger will also play a prominent role on Ducks Stream's podcasts and throughout the organization beyond his color commentary duties too, hosting a player show and appearing at community events across Orange County.

"I want to do anything and everything," Etem said. "The support I've gotten from the Ducks has made it easy, getting a template from them and taking it from there. I'm just going to keep that mindset of wanting to do everything. It's going to sharpen all the tools, if you will, help polish my public speaking skills and help me out when I end up in the booth.

"So I'm taking everything the Ducks throw my way that gives me a chance to connect with the fans, the community and the listeners."