Veteran hockey media personality set to tell student-athlete stories

(HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA – September 1, 2020) – Total Package Hockey CEO Nathan Bowen has announced the addition of Justin Bradford as Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Bradford will be based out of Nashville, Tennessee.

Bradford formerly served as the Digital Media Director for the Nashville Symphony, but has been in hockey media for eight years with Penalty Box Radio. Penalty Box Radio (PBR) is weekly hockey-centric radio show that can be heard in Nashville and around the world on ESPN 102.5 The Game. It’s also a media site that is home to multiple writers and content creators, many of whom are aspiring sports journalists.

“Justin is an outstanding add to our team, and we know he will help us improve our communications, our ability to share more positive stories both written, through video and digitally,” said Bowen. “His experience starting, growing and legitimizing Penalty Box Radio is a true testament to his work ethic and journalistic integrity. It will be very exciting to see where he takes us in supporting our team members, student-athletes and TPH families.”

Through PBR, Bradford has covered the Nashville Predators as credentialed hockey media for the past seven years. He’s also been covering the University in Alabama Huntsville Chargers hockey program for eight years. Throughout his career, Bradford has covered multiple NHL events including four NHL Drafts, an NHL All Star Game, the NHL Awards and the Winter Classic. He’s also covered and scouted (with ISS Hockey) several games in the OHL and WHL. Through all of these experiences, Bradford has learned to become a storyteller.

“Over my years as a hockey journalist, I’ve learned that I want to do more than post game reports where I say how the game went; I want to tell the stories of the players,” Bradford said. “From the pros all the way down to prep hockey, I’ve been able to talk to hockey players and tell their unique and fun stories. It’s something that means a lot to me because I believe there’s always a story to tell. Hockey players have amazing personalities that they aren’t always able to share, so I try to do my best to show that they’re people just like the rest of us.”

Bradford’s work as a journalist granted him the opportunity to author a book as well. In 2015, he authored “Nashville Predators: The Making of Smashville,” the first history book on the Nashville Predators franchise. Published by The History Press, “The Making of Smashville” provides history, anecdotes and a deep look into how the Nashville Predators went from an expansion team to a playoff contender. It includes stories from Barry Trotz, Terry Crisp, Pete Weber, original owner Craig Leipold, Peter Laviolette and a multitude of Predators alums and current players.

In addition to hockey journalist, Bradford also serves as the commissioner of the South Eastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SECHC). The SECHC is a club hockey conference that now plays in Collegiate Hockey Federation Division-II. The conference consists of 17 teams from across the southeast including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and plenty more.

“From writing a book to working in hockey administration with the SECHC, my passion for this sport runs deep. I want to do everything I can to grow the sport of hockey, especially in previously non-traditional areas of the country. If I’m able to turn just a few people on to the sport with each video I make or a story I write, then I that it’s a major success and worth even minute spent. We have a tremendous that teaches children and adults so many valuable life lessons, and I’m looking forward to being able to do that with Total Package Hockey now.”

Be on the lookout for more TPH content coming soon to all social media channels and the website.