You're stuck in traffic on I-64, the sun is dipping below the skyline, and the pre-game siren is about to wail at Enterprise Center. For most Blues fans, this isn't a crisis. It's a ritual. You reach for the dial, hit the preset for 101.1 FM, and suddenly the hum of the road is replaced by the electric buzz of the rink. Listening to st louis blues hockey on the radio has always felt a bit different than watching it on a screen. It’s more intimate. It’s faster.
Honestly, the 2025-26 season has brought some of the biggest shakeups to the airwaves we’ve seen in decades. If you haven't tuned in lately, you might be confused about who you're hearing and where to find them.
The New Voice of the Note
The biggest news this year isn't just a trade or a prospect call-up. It's the booth. For twenty years, John Kelly was the voice many of us associated with the televised games. But as of this season, the organization made a massive pivot. They moved to a simulcast model.
What does that mean for you?
Basically, the same guys you hear on the radio are now the guys you see on TV. Chris Kerber and Joey Vitale have officially taken over the whole show. Kerber has been calling Blues games on the radio for 25 years now. Think about that. He’s been the eyes for the blind and the companion for the commuter through the dark years and the 2019 Cup run.
💡 You might also like: Duke Football Recruiting 2025: Manny Diaz Just Flipped the Script in Durham
Some fans were worried. They thought the radio call would lose its descriptive "radio-ness" if the announcers were also catering to a TV audience. But Kerber is a pro. He still paints the picture. You still know exactly where the puck is on the wall.
Where to Find the Game Right Now
If you’re looking for st louis blues hockey on the radio, your primary destination is 101 ESPN (WXOS 101.1 FM) in the St. Louis metro area. They’ve been the flagship since 2019, and that partnership is locked in through at least 2028.
But what if you aren't in the city?
The Blues Radio Network is surprisingly deep. It stretches across Missouri and into parts of Illinois and Indiana.
📖 Related: Dodgers Black Heritage Night 2025: Why It Matters More Than the Jersey
- SEMO ESPN: For fans down in Cape Girardeau, you're looking at 93.5 FM or 1220 AM.
- The Affiliates: There are dozens of small-town stations that pick up the feed. If you're driving toward Kansas City or down to the Lake, you'll usually find the game jumping from one local FM transmitter to the next.
- The App: The NHL app and the official Blues app stream the radio feed for free. It’s probably the most reliable way to listen if you’re out of signal range but still have LTE.
Beyond the Play-by-Play
Radio isn't just the three periods of hockey. The surrounding coverage is where the real "inside baseball" (or inside hockey, I guess) happens. 101 ESPN runs a gauntlet of shows that basically live and breathe Blues hockey.
"The Fast Lane" is the big one. It’s got Jamie Rivers, an NHL alum who actually knows what’s going on in the locker room. Then you’ve got Brandon Kiley and Alex Ferrario. They break down the advanced stats in a way that doesn't make your head hurt.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking the radio broadcast is a second-class citizen. In St. Louis, it's often the opposite. The pre-game show on 101.1 usually starts way before the TV "Blues LIVE" broadcast, giving you more time to hear about line changes and injury reports.
Why Radio Still Matters in 2026
In an era of 4K streaming and instant highlights, you’d think radio would be dead. It’s not. There is a specific pacing to a radio call that TV can't match.
👉 See also: College Football Top 10: What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Rankings
On TV, the announcer can afford to be quiet. They let the picture do the work. On the radio, Kerber and Vitale have to fill every second with energy. You can hear the skates carving the ice and the puck thudding off the boards more clearly because the audio is the entire experience.
It's also about the community. If you’re at the game at Enterprise Center, you’ll see hundreds of fans with one earbud in. They’re watching the game live but listening to the radio call to understand the nuances of the penalties or the goalie's positioning.
How to Listen if You’re Out of Town
If you’re a Blues fan living in, say, Nashville or Chicago (bless your heart), you have options.
- SiriusXM: They carry every NHL game. The Blues feed is usually on one of the 900-series channels.
- TuneIn Radio: This is a solid backup. They have a dedicated St. Louis Blues channel that streams the 101 ESPN feed.
- FanDuel Sports Network App: While this is primarily for video, the audio-only streams are often tucked in there for subscribers.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Game Day
To get the most out of your listening experience, here is what you should actually do:
- Download the 101 ESPN App: Don't rely on your car's scan button if you're traveling. The app is more stable and has the "Last Minute Blues Podcast" if you missed the live window.
- Check the Kickoff: Most games start at 7:00 PM CT, but the radio pre-game usually starts at 6:30 PM. Tune in early to hear the "Keys to the Game" from Joey Vitale.
- Sync the Audio: If you’re watching the game on a delay or via a stream that's behind, use a radio app that lets you pause the live audio. You can sync Kerber’s voice perfectly with the action on your screen.
Listening to the Blues on the radio is a bridge between the old-school hockey world and the modern era. Whether it's Kerber’s frantic goal calls or Vitale’s "hockey-sense" breakdowns, it remains the most visceral way to follow the team when you can't be in front of a screen.