Experience at a Glance |
Résumé (Click to enlarge) |
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About TJ
Thanks for visiting my page. My name is Thomas "TJ" Chillot (pronounced shuh-lot), professional play-by-play broadcaster for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League.
Born and raised in the Lehigh Valley Region of Eastern Pennsylvania, play-by-play came to me later in life than most of my peers. At age 21, I began selling cars at a local dealership where I rose through the ranks and became manager after three years. One night, seven years into my tenure with the dealership, I heard an ad on the radio while driving home. It was a local radio station who was looking for part-time help behind the scenes. It was with that commercial that I applied, and thus, I began my radio career as a studio-host and producer for ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (now FoxSports Radio). Through ESPN Radio I was able to find freelance work for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) and Lehigh University Athletics. While working at ESPN Radio, I secured an internship with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers) to hone my hockey broadcasting skills and learn the ropes of being employed in a team setting. Once my internship came to an end, I landed my first, full-time play-by-play gig as the voice of the Mississippi RiverKings of the Southern Professional Hockey League. It was with Mississippi where I was named the 2017-18 SPHL Broadcaster of the year, my first accolade in my first season as a full-time play-by-play broadcaster.
Though somber, on my one year anniversary with the team, it was announced that the RiverKings would be ceasing operations and I began the search for a new team. From professional hockey to American Junior hockey, I was lucky enough to land in Austin, Minnesota as the new voice of the Austin Bruins of the NAHL. My duties with the Bruins were very similar to what I performed in Mississippi, however, as the only front-office employee of the Bruins, I was able to expand my knowledge into departments such as ticketing, customer service, game operations, graphic design, and account management. All things I've come across at other points in professional life, but never had the opportunity to do at the same time.
During my three seasons with the Bruins, I was honored to represent the league in the annual Top Prospects Tournament twice. This yearly showcase aims to help uncommitted junior hockey players in the NAHL draw attention of collegiate, and sometimes NHL, scouts. The broadcasters are chosen by their peers to represent the all-star type format and is the marquee event for the NAHL.
Heading into what would be my fourth season with Austin, professional hockey came calling again and I moved to North Carolina as the new voice of the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. As someone with a strong broadcasting and sales background, I found it a great fit when the team asked me to operate in a dual role as the teams' play-by-play broadcaster as well as a corporate sales representative. It couldn't have been a better fit for me, nor could the city of Charlotte. In my short time in the Queen City, I've only been met with wonderful coworkers, friendly neighbors, and knowledgeable peers to help guide me in my early years. Living in the city, you can find me at the rink perfecting my craft or enjoying the sites around town with my fianceé, Sarah, and our pups.
Born and raised in the Lehigh Valley Region of Eastern Pennsylvania, play-by-play came to me later in life than most of my peers. At age 21, I began selling cars at a local dealership where I rose through the ranks and became manager after three years. One night, seven years into my tenure with the dealership, I heard an ad on the radio while driving home. It was a local radio station who was looking for part-time help behind the scenes. It was with that commercial that I applied, and thus, I began my radio career as a studio-host and producer for ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (now FoxSports Radio). Through ESPN Radio I was able to find freelance work for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) and Lehigh University Athletics. While working at ESPN Radio, I secured an internship with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers) to hone my hockey broadcasting skills and learn the ropes of being employed in a team setting. Once my internship came to an end, I landed my first, full-time play-by-play gig as the voice of the Mississippi RiverKings of the Southern Professional Hockey League. It was with Mississippi where I was named the 2017-18 SPHL Broadcaster of the year, my first accolade in my first season as a full-time play-by-play broadcaster.
Though somber, on my one year anniversary with the team, it was announced that the RiverKings would be ceasing operations and I began the search for a new team. From professional hockey to American Junior hockey, I was lucky enough to land in Austin, Minnesota as the new voice of the Austin Bruins of the NAHL. My duties with the Bruins were very similar to what I performed in Mississippi, however, as the only front-office employee of the Bruins, I was able to expand my knowledge into departments such as ticketing, customer service, game operations, graphic design, and account management. All things I've come across at other points in professional life, but never had the opportunity to do at the same time.
During my three seasons with the Bruins, I was honored to represent the league in the annual Top Prospects Tournament twice. This yearly showcase aims to help uncommitted junior hockey players in the NAHL draw attention of collegiate, and sometimes NHL, scouts. The broadcasters are chosen by their peers to represent the all-star type format and is the marquee event for the NAHL.
Heading into what would be my fourth season with Austin, professional hockey came calling again and I moved to North Carolina as the new voice of the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. As someone with a strong broadcasting and sales background, I found it a great fit when the team asked me to operate in a dual role as the teams' play-by-play broadcaster as well as a corporate sales representative. It couldn't have been a better fit for me, nor could the city of Charlotte. In my short time in the Queen City, I've only been met with wonderful coworkers, friendly neighbors, and knowledgeable peers to help guide me in my early years. Living in the city, you can find me at the rink perfecting my craft or enjoying the sites around town with my fianceé, Sarah, and our pups.
In the Press
Austin Bruins' Broadcaster TJ Chillot on the Move from NAHL to AHL's Charlotte Checkers
https://yhoo.it/3iN7q8A
Team folding leads Chillot to new hockey opportunity
https://staatalent.com/headlines/team-folding-leads-chillot-to-new-hockey-opportunity/
Chillot new voice of RiverKings Hockey
staatalent.com/headlines/chillot-new-voice-riverkings-hockey/
NAHL Names Broadcasters, On-Ice Officials for 2020 Top Prospects
http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=28834
https://yhoo.it/3iN7q8A
Team folding leads Chillot to new hockey opportunity
https://staatalent.com/headlines/team-folding-leads-chillot-to-new-hockey-opportunity/
Chillot new voice of RiverKings Hockey
staatalent.com/headlines/chillot-new-voice-riverkings-hockey/
NAHL Names Broadcasters, On-Ice Officials for 2020 Top Prospects
http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=28834
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