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So long, farewell

Jeff Hollick, longtime radio voice of the Kootenay Ice, moves on from Western Financial Place broadcast booth
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After 16 years as the radio voice of the Kootenay Ice

When the puck drops on the 2015-16 Western Hockey League season, Cranbrook radio listeners will be hearing a brand new voice of the Kootenay Ice.

Jeff Hollick, longtime radio voice of the Kootenay Ice, announced he was stepping away from the Western Financial Place broadcast booth Wednesday morning.

"I have been extremely fortunate to cover three WHL Championship teams and a Memorial Cup-winning team," Hollick wrote on his blog, the well-read Between The Lines. "Whenever I am asked for my favourite all-time moment or game, I have at least a dozen to choose from and can never narrow it down to just one. It has been an amazing, remarkable and unforgettable time."

Hollick spent 16 seasons as the radio voice of the Kootenay Ice with The Drive 102.9 FM and B-104 Total Country (Jim Pattison Broadcast Group) in Cranbrook.

"Big decisions in life don't come easy and after much reflection, I have decided to take a leap of faith in my career," Hollick wrote.

"Being a play-by-play announcer has always been my number-one career goal and [I] have enjoyed the past 16 years more than I thought possible."

Hollick's expertise of both the Kootenay Ice and Western Hockey League was revered throughout western Canada. Upon making his announcement, messages poured in from across the WHL, with teams, reporters, play-by-play announcers and other members of the media sending their thanks and best wishes to Hollick.

"The Kootenay Ice would like to thank @JeffHollick for 16 terrific years as our radio broadcaster," the Kootenay Ice tweeted Wednesday morning.

"We wish @JeffHollick and his family the very best in their future endeavours. You will be missed!"

Brian Munz, radio voice of the NHL's Winnipeg Jets, shared his wishes via Twitter as well.

"All the best to @JeffHollick, who is hanging up the headset as voice of the @WHLKootenayIce," Munz tweeted.

In his blog entry, Hollick wished to thank all the fans for listening over his years in the broadcast booth.

In May 2011, Hollick was named the 2010 British Columbia Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) Broadcast Performer of the Year.

On March 24, the Kootenay Ice and The Drive 102.9 FM announced they agreed upon a new three-year broadcasting agreement running through the 2015-16 to 2017-18 WHL seasons.