“I’m not gonna lie. I did get super emotional looking at that photo,” Crechiolo admitted of the above picture from her hockey youth. “I followed my brother into hockey and then I stuck with it because I loved it. Even like the sounds of sticks and pucks at morning skate, it’s my ASMR, you know? And it has led me here. I couldn’t be more grateful. To think that little girl who was just so happy to be a hockey player has now done color commentary for the Pittsburgh Penguins – it’s surreal.”
While it may seem surreal to Crechiolo, her coworkers and friends believe this opportunity was destined for her.
“Michelle has the unique ability to both humanize the players for listeners while also having a deep understanding of the X’s and O’s of on-ice strategy to paint the picture of what’s happening on the ice,” said Sam Kasan, her former boss at the Penguins and current Senior Content Producer with the New Jersey Devils. “Who else can tell you every single player’s warmup routine, fashion style or pets names in one breath and then break down a neutral zone counterattack in the next?”
Despite the pressure of filling big shoes on the broadcast, Crechiolo approached the moment with confidence.
“I didn’t feel a ton of nerves because I was just excited about the opportunity. I felt prepared,” she said. “I’ve been able to handle these new opportunities that have come my way and done a good job.”
Even seasoned play-by-play broadcaster Steve Mears acknowledged learning from Crechiolo during their time on the air together.
“There were some nuggets that I learned on air. I’d like to think that I have it all covered, but she has way more covered,” Mears said. “I think that’s half the battle when it comes to broadcasting – you have to be prepared and she took that to another level.”
You don’t know what type of game it’s going to be,” Mears continued. “It could be 10-1. The backup goalie could come in. The fourth liner could have the greatest game of his life – she was prepared for all of those scenarios.”
Dan Potash of SportsNet Pittsburgh commended Crechiolo’s work ethic, describing her as “one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met… She’s always at practice. She’s always at the games. She’s one of the first ones there and one of the last ones to leave.”
Beyond meticulous preparation and hard work, Crechiolo’s outgoing personality and passion for her work shine through.
“There is no one more deserving or better suited for this opportunity than Michelle,” Kasan expressed. “Her passion for the game bleeds through in her excitement and voice. I’m proud that she’s come so far in her career, but I’m also not surprised. She’s a rock star.”
As Bourque prepares to return to the radio broadcast, Penguins employees and fans can count on Crechiolo to continue sharing the most important stories about some of the best hockey players on the planet. And while Mears is ready to welcome Bourque back with open arms when the time comes, he expressed that Michelle is always welcome in the broadcast booth, and if the scenario presented itself again, he’d be the first to say, “bring Michelle back.”
Reflecting on her journey and the broader impact of this historical moment, Crechiolo emphasized the importance of the presence of women in sports media.
“Normalizing it is key,” she stated. “When Penguins fans come to games and they see me on the center hung or hear my voice on the radio, they are just used to it and it’s just natural. That’s the biggest thing.”
She added: “Mike Sullivan talks about ‘quiet confidence’ all the time. I think that’s been huge for me as I’ve gone along. And then the opportunities that have come with it are just an added bonus.”
“For women and girls, just having the confidence in yourself and to dream big… If I can play any small part in inspiring the next generation – the more people we can have in the game is incredible.”
