You’re stuck in North Texas traffic on I-75. The sun is setting, the brake lights are glowing red, and the puck is about to drop at the American Airlines Center. For a hockey fan in Dallas, there is no sound more comforting than the crackle of a pre-game show hitting the airwaves. Radio is different for hockey. It’s faster. The play-by-play caller has to be a verbal gymnast, keeping up with a puck that moves at a hundred miles an hour while describing the subtle shove in front of the crease that the ref definitely missed.
The Dallas Stars radio broadcast isn't just a backup for people who can't get to a TV. In many ways, it's the soul of the franchise's media presence. Whether you are tuning into the flagship station, Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 AM The Ticket, or streaming through the app, the experience is designed to make you feel like you're sitting right behind the bench.
Where to Find the Game Today
If you are looking for the game right now, your primary destination is The Ticket. Since 2009, this station has been the home of the Stars, and it’s a partnership that actually makes sense. Unlike some corporate-sounding sports networks, The Ticket has a "Tier 1" personality-driven vibe that bleeds into the game coverage.
You can find the broadcast at:
- 96.7 FM (The main signal for the DFW metroplex)
- 1310 AM (The heritage signal)
- The Sportsradio 96.7 FM The Ticket App
- The Dallas Stars Official App
- NHL App/NHL.com (usually requires a login or subscription depending on your location)
Sometimes, there’s a conflict. If the Stars are playing at the same time as another major event, the broadcast occasionally shifts to a secondary station, but that’s pretty rare these days given the hierarchy of DFW sports. You should also know that the "Stars Radio Network" extends way beyond the shadows of the Reunion Tower. There are affiliate stations in places like Amarillo, Lubbock, and even parts of Oklahoma. If you’re road-tripping through West Texas, keep scanning that dial; you’ll eventually hear the frantic pace of a power play.
Josh and Razor: The Transition from TV to Radio
We have to talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the voices in your ears. For years, the Stars used a "simulcast" system. This meant that Daryl "Razor" Reaugh and his play-by-play partner (formerly the legendary Dave Strader and later Josh Bogorad) provided the audio for both the television broadcast and the radio.
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This is a controversial topic in the world of sports media.
Pure radio fans often hate simulcasts. Why? Because a TV announcer doesn't need to tell you where the puck is; you can see it. On radio, you need "picture painting." You need to know that the puck is in the left-wing corner, moving toward the point. When the Stars moved away from a dedicated radio-only caller years ago, some purists felt left in the dark. However, Josh Bogorad and Daryl Reaugh are arguably the best in the business at bridging that gap. Razor’s vocabulary is... well, it’s a thing of legend. He’ll use words like "larceny," "puck-huckery," and "mastodon" in a single period. He provides a rhythmic cadence that actually works surprisingly well for the Dallas Stars radio broadcast even if he knows half the audience is watching him on a screen.
The Impact of Modern Streaming
Honestly, the way we listen has changed more than the way the game is called. Ten years ago, if you were outside the signal radius of 96.7 FM, you were basically out of luck unless you paid for a premium satellite package. Now? You’ve got options.
The Dallas Stars app has a dedicated "Listen" button that is remarkably stable. It’s better than using a third-party radio aggregator because the delay is usually shorter. If you’re trying to sync the radio audio with a muted TV—a common move for fans who prefer the local crew over national announcers—that shorter delay is a lifesaver.
The "Ticket" Culture and the Pre-Game Show
The broadcast doesn't start at puck drop. It starts usually thirty minutes to an hour prior with the pre-game show. This is where you get the nitty-gritty: line charts, goalie confirmations, and injury updates.
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Because the games are on The Ticket, the surrounding coverage is less "stiff." You get segments with analysts who actually have personalities. They aren't just reading stats off a sheet. They’re arguing about whether the Stars' second line is underperforming or if the defensive pairings are too slow for a fast-transitioning team like Colorado or Vegas.
- The Lead-In: Expect player interviews recorded at the morning skate.
- The Keys to the Game: These are often specific—watch the faceoff percentage in the offensive zone.
- The Intermission: This is prime time for the "around the league" updates.
- The Post-Game: This is arguably the best part. Bruce LeVine and the crew do a masterful job of breaking down the "why." Why did the lead evaporate in the third period?
It’s about accountability. The Dallas market is smart. Fans here have seen a Stanley Cup win in '99 and the heartbreaking runs of the recent years. They don't want sunshine blown up their skirts; they want to know why the power play went 0-for-5.
Technical Hurdles and Signal Strengths
Let’s get real about the signal. 96.7 FM is a great frequency, but North Texas is massive. If you’re driving way out toward McKinney or down past Waxahachie, FM signals can get "multipath interference" or just plain fade out.
If the audio starts to crackle, switch to the digital stream immediately. Most modern cars have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Using the Dallas Stars radio broadcast via a phone app plugged into the car is almost always superior to the over-the-air signal in 2026. The data usage is minimal—about 30-60MB for a full three-period game. It’s a small price to pay for crystal-clear audio of a Miro Heiskanen coast-to-coast rush.
What About Blackouts?
Here is a weird quirk: sometimes digital streams are geo-blocked. If you are using an app like TuneIn, you might find the game blocked if you are outside the Stars' "home territory." This is due to the NHL’s Byzantine broadcasting rights.
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The fix? Use the official Dallas Stars app. They usually have the rights to stream the radio feed to anyone, anywhere, though your mileage may vary if you are trying to listen from, say, Finland (though plenty of Stars fans do, given the "Finnish Mafia" on the roster).
Why Radio Still Matters for Hockey
There is a frantic energy to a radio broadcast that TV just can't replicate. On TV, the camera stays wide. On the radio, the announcer’s voice rises with the crowd. You hear the thud of the puck against the boards and the scrape of the skates.
The Dallas Stars radio broadcast manages to capture the atmosphere of the AAC—the "Stars!" chant during the anthem, the goal horn (which is one of the loudest in the league), and the specific "Pantera" goal song. It’s an auditory map of a hockey game.
For the visually impaired community, these broadcasts are the only way to consume the game. This is why the quality of the play-by-play matters so much. When the caller is precise, the game comes alive in the mind’s eye. The Stars have historically invested in high-quality talent, ensuring that the radio product isn't just an afterthought.
Actionable Steps for the Best Listening Experience
If you want to make the most of the next game, don't just turn on the radio and hope for the best.
- Download the "The Ticket" App: It's the most reliable way to get the local DFW feed without interference.
- Sync the Audio: If you’re watching a national broadcast (like on ESPN+ or TNT) and can't stand the announcers, use a delay-sync app or a DVR to match the radio audio to the TV picture. It takes about two minutes of fiddling but changes the whole experience.
- Check the Schedule: Not every pre-season game is on the main FM station. Check the Stars' social media (X/Twitter) about two hours before puck drop to confirm the station.
- Invest in Good Headphones: If you're listening at work or on the go, a decent pair of noise-canceling headphones will let you hear the "ice level" sounds that the microphones pick up—the chirping between players is often the best part.
The Stars have a long season, 82 games plus the grind of the playoffs. Whether you're a casual listener or a die-hard who hasn't missed a broadcast since the move from Minnesota, the radio remains the most intimate way to follow the team. It’s just you, the voice of the announcer, and the hope that this is the year the Cup comes back to Dallas.