Josh Getzoff, the play-by-play announcer for the Penguins, shared his recovery on X after fainting during a game in Anaheim and being taken to a hospital.
“I’m feeling good,” he mentioned in a social media update on Thursday. “Thanks to everyone who reached out after Tuesday night. My family and I are truly overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown to us. A big shoutout to the first responders at Honda Center and the fantastic doctors and nurses at UCI. I feel great and hope to return to the booth soon!”
Getzoff collapsed during the second intermission of the Penguins versus Ducks game, apparently after stepping out from the Sportsnet Pittsburgh broadcast booth to converse with another announcer, as noted by a bystander quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
After being taken to the hospital for precautionary measures, he reportedly regained consciousness.
His sudden absence prompted a swift adjustment in the Penguins’ broadcast team; Joe Brand, the radio play-by-play announcer, moved to television, while Colby Armstrong and team operations director Jason Seidling took over his radio role, along with Phil Burke.
It’s currently uncertain when Getzoff will be back in action. The Penguins (2-2-0) are scheduled to face the Kings in Los Angeles on Thursday and the Sharks in San Jose on Saturday, before returning home for a match against the Canucks on October 21.
Having kicked off the season with victories over the Rangers and Islanders, the Penguins recently fell to the Rangers again and then lost to the Ducks. In that game, Chris Kreider, a former Ranger, scored two goals, including the game-winner in the third period.
Getzoff has been calling Penguins games for a decade, now in his third year as the television play-by-play voice for Sportsnet Pittsburgh. He notably called Sidney Crosby’s 600th career goal last November, marking Crosby as the 21st player in NHL history to reach that milestone.
Reflecting on that call, Getzoff mentioned, “I can’t say this is exhaustive, but it’s definitely something to think about. You always have to be ready, especially given that this player is on the ice for a significant portion of his games. He’s frequently there for power plays and those critical moments.”
