Columbus Blue Jackets’ followers have lengthy identified how good coloration analyst Jody Shelley has been within the broadcast sales space. Whether or not it’s been with radio voice Bob McElligott, former TV voice Jeff Rimer or present TV voice Steve Mears, Shelley brings a wealth of data and enthusiasm to the published.
Within the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, viewers acquired to see firsthand how good Shelley is at his job. Whereas his appearances on nationwide TV are nothing new, he earned a extra outstanding function as these playoffs have gone on.
Shelley was between the benches on TNT for Sport 6 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers sequence with Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk. Earlier within the playoffs, Shelley was with Olczyk and John Forslund in addition to with Alex Faust and Brian Boucher. He has seen numerous assignments on TNT in these playoffs.
Shelley and Forslund labored collectively within the inaugural season of Prime Monday Night time Hockey in Canada. Shelley is rapidly gaining a popularity across the NHL as among the best analysts on TV given the additional publicity he’s getting in massive video games.
How does one stand up the ranks like Shelley has? With ardour, onerous work and preparation for every sport.
Shelley’s Preparedness
At first of the 2024-25 season, the Hockey Writers did a Q&A with new Blue Jackets’ TV voice Mears. In that dialog, Mears had nothing however glowing reward for Shelley when requested what makes him stand out.
“Simply very diligent along with his preparation,” Mears stated of Shelley. “I knew that for a very long time, however then to now see it firsthand, the best way he prepares for this season, the best way he prepares for a sport, and the conversations, the notetaking that he’s getting carried out proper now simply to prep for that opening evening. That’s what makes him among the best within the enterprise.”
Simply because Shelley has performed the sport and is aware of the ins and outs of it, it doesn’t cease him from doing his homework. It’s that diligence that comes by way of the published whenever you watch a sport with him as an analyst. He has a manner of explaining what’s occurring in a manner that’s simply comprehensible. Right here’s Mears.
“It’s not a case the place I performed, so I don’t have to do the homework. He does the above and past degree of homework, after which that’s what makes him among the best. I really like that method. I’m type of the identical manner on the subject of doing the homework and the preparation. I take numerous pleasure in that. I feel when you’ve two people who find themselves making that sort of dedication, it ought to all add as much as a terrific present.”
“If I ever had a query in regards to the Blue Jackets, I knew I might attain out to him, whether or not as a participant, what’s actually occurring with the staff, what’s the vibe with the staff proper now. I knew I might all the time faucet into him as a result of he knew precisely what was occurring. And he was nearly a 100% correct with any sort of an evaluation after I had these conversations with him at morning skates or at 5:00 earlier than a sport. I feel that’s what makes him among the best.”
Future is Shiny
Shelley at present works as each the Blue Jackets’ TV Colour Analyst in addition to the staff ambassador. It’s truthful to marvel what his future holds given how outstanding his presence has turn into all through the hockey world.
Shelley loves it in Columbus and with the Blue Jackets. Once we say we marvel what his future holds, we marvel if it’s solely a matter of time earlier than he is among the premier nationwide sport analysts on a extra full-time foundation?
Shelley has turn into a trusted voice inside the Blue Jackets. It’s that belief and respect that’s beginning to make him a extra outstanding nationwide presence.
It wouldn’t be stunning to see Shelley be a part of the decision of a Stanley Cup Last sooner relatively than later. The way in which he cares for his job makes him the right candidate for such a task.
For now, the nation acquired to see what Blue Jackets’ followers already know. Shelley is admittedly good at what he does on digicam as a sport analyst. His future may be very shiny within the sales space.
