Columbus Blue Jackets Tab Steve Mears TV Commentator

The 2023-24 season was the last in the career of Columbus Blue Jackets commentator Jeff Rimer. After nearly two decades in the commentary booth, Rimer, 72, is ending his career.

We are very pleased to announce that Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) has joined the club as a new live TV commentator!

Steve will join Jody Shelley (@shelleyhawk45) in the dressing room this season and beyond.

Congratulations, Steve – welcome to Columbus! #CBJ

📝… pic.twitter.com/4NBe7sehRK

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 2, 2024

To fill the void left by Rimer’s retirement, the Blue Jackets officially announced their new commentator on Tuesday: Steve Mears. A veteran commentator with extensive NHL experience, Mears most recently served as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ commentator. He began his tenure there in 2017, working for what was then known as AT&T Sports Net (now SportsNet Pittsburgh).

Last summer, however, brought a change for Mears. The Fenway Sports Group, owners of the Penguins, acquired the network and renamed it. That move also changed the announcer’s booth: Josh Getzoff moved from radio to television and Mears took over radio duties.

Now the Bowling Green graduate is returning to Ohio and is ready to take the reins of the Blue Jackets.

In addition to his work as a game commentator for the Penguins, he also served as a live radio commentator for the New York Islanders for three seasons earlier in his career.

He has an impressive 18-year career that goes beyond commentating games. He’s not just a seasoned commentator – he’s hosted shows on the NHL Network and lent his voice to prestigious events like the Stanley Cup Finals, All-Star Games and even international competitions. Mears has seen everything from outdoor hockey battles to the World Juniors. Most recently, he took his talents to the national stage, commentating playoff games on TNT and hosting a one-of-a-kind broadcast during the Western Conference Finals – a data-driven experience for fans on truTV and Max.

Both the Blue Jackets and Mears expressed their thoughts on his hiring:

“Steve Mears brings a wealth of experience having broadcast games for regional, national and international audiences for nearly two decades, and we are excited to have him join Jody Shelley in bringing Blue Jackets hockey to our fans,” said Marc Gregory, Blue Jackets Vice President of Business Intelligence and Broadcasting. “Just like his predecessor Jeff Rimer, Steve has a wealth of knowledge and enthusiastic dedication to our game, which is evident during every game broadcast.”

“It is truly an honor and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be the Columbus Blue Jackets television commentator for The 5th Line,” said Mears. “I have seen firsthand for many years, even when I attended games as a student in Bowling Green, how loyal and passionate Blue Jackets fans are and how special game nights can be at Nationwide Arena. With a great core of young, talented players, I can’t wait for the season to begin and to work with Jody Shelley and our production team at Bally Sports Ohio.”

I am overjoyed and honored to be a part of a world-class organization such as @BlueJacketsNHL as their live TV commentator and returning to the great state of Ohio! I can’t wait to cover this team and live in one of the best cities in the NHL!

— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) July 2, 2024

I am very proud to say that my son (he is 1) will grow up a Blue Jackets fan! @BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/LciBQ5sygH

— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) July 2, 2024

Something I brought with me as a kind of lucky charm when I applied for the TV job at @BlueJacketsNHL… the ticket from my first Jackets game and the 20th game in franchise history, when I was @bgsu. Section 215 is the best we could get! pic.twitter.com/U3RS4Dto0l

— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) July 2, 2024

(Columbus Blue Jackets)