97.1 FM The Ticket (along with WXYT AM 1270) begins its 12th year as the flagship radio station of the Red Wings and will broadcast all of Detroit’s regular-season and playoff games.

The radio team of play-by-play announcer Ken Kal and analyst Paul Woods return for their 18th season together behind the microphone of the Wings’ flagship station.

Ken Kal begins his 18th season as the radio play-by-play man for the Red Wings. Prior to joining the Detroit organization, Kal handled the play-by-play duties for University of Michigan hockey for 11 years on Ann Arbor AM stations – seven on WTKA after the first four on WAAM, during which time he also covered the Red Wings as a reporter. Born and raised in Detroit, Kal began his radio career immediately following graduation from Wayne State University in 1979 with his first job at WAAM, handling sports and working as an on-air personality.

In addition to his broadcast duties, Kal represents the Red Wings in the community by visiting schools or business groups, hosting team events and playing for the Wings’ charity softball team. Rounding out his administrative duties, Kal also works with the broadcast department to expand the Red Wings radio network and maintain affiliate relations. He received the DSBA’s Ty Tyson Award for broadcast excellence in 2007, and  he is also a board member of the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Kal and his wife, Darlene, reside in St. Clair Shores, MI and enjoy boating and spending time with their two dogs.

Paul Woods is back for his 26th season as color analyst for the Red Wings, a career which began shortly after the conclusion of his playing days in the NHL. A native of Hespeler, Ontario, Woods was drafted by Montréal in 1975. He never played for the Canadiens, but was obtained by Detroit in the 1977 waiver draft. His seven-season stint with the Red Wings began in 1977-78 and ended after the 1983-84 season. He finished his career with 72 goals and 124 assists in 501 regular-season games.