The Jacksonville Icemen have hired Jason Ruff as their Broadcast and Communications Coordinator for the 2026-27 season.
Ruff will lead communications and media relations efforts for the Jacksonville Icemen and Jacksonville Waves. He will serve as the primary broadcaster for Jacksonville Icemen road games and partner with Arley Johnson on home-game broadcasts at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to come to Jacksonville and be a part of the Icemen and the Zawyer Sports + Entertainment family,” Ruff said. “The fans, the players, the organization, and the opportunity to tell meaningful stories that connect all three are second to none, and I am beyond thrilled to get started!”
Ruff brings SPHL and junior hockey experience
A Chicago-area native, Ruff spent the past five seasons with the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL. He handled media relations, marketing, content creation, social media management and broadcasting duties during his time with the team.
Ruff was the longest-tenured broadcaster in the Rivermen’s SPHL era and called two President’s Cup championships and three finals series. Before joining Peoria, he spent three seasons with the Odessa Jackalopes of the North American Hockey League.
Ruff graduated from Michigan State University, where he covered Spartan hockey for five seasons as a writer, producer and show host for Impact Sports 88.9 FM’s Behind the Mask. He also worked as a play-by-play broadcaster and commentator for the Big Ten Network – Student U and as a broadcast intern with the United States Hockey League’s Muskegon Lumberjacks.
Alex Reed moves to Hockey Operations role
Ruff succeeds Alex Reed, who held the Jacksonville Icemen’s communications and media relations role since 2019. Reed will remain with Zawyer Sports + Entertainment as the Director of Team Services in the Hockey Operations Department.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Jason to the Jacksonville Icemen family,” Icemen Executive Vice President Luke Nicholas said. “As we continue to grow our team, connecting with our fans on a deeper level remains our top priority. Jason brings an incredible track record of dynamic storytelling and strategic media expertise. We know his energy and professional vision will elevate our broadcast quality and strengthen the bond between our team and the incredible hockey community here in Jacksonville.”
The Jacksonville Icemen are an ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the AHL’s Iowa Wild. The team will open its 10th Anniversary Season on October 31 against the Atlanta Gladiators.
Source: Original report