Ex-Hab P.J. Stock to replace Ted Bird at CHOM

 

Takes up morning spot at 97.7 FM on Feb. 1

 
 
 
 
Former Montreal Canadien P.J. Stock will fill the spot vacated by Ted Bird at CHOM 97.7 FM.
 

Former Montreal Canadien P.J. Stock will fill the spot vacated by Ted Bird at CHOM 97.7 FM.

Photograph by: Marie-France Coallier, Gazette file photo

MONTREAL – One month after letting the Bird fly, CHOM has decided to take Stock.

P.J. Stock, former NHL journeyman-turned-broadcaster, confirmed last night he will fill the spot vacated this month by the resignation of CHOM veteran Ted Bird beginning Feb. 1.

"It's ironic because Ted was the one who spoke to me (last year) and asked me what other things I'd like to do," said Stock, who's played for the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers, the Philadephia Flyers and the Boston Bruins and whose subsequent broadcasting career has included regular segments on the Team 990 sports radio channel and Hockey Night in Canada, as well as RDS's l'Antichambre.

"He was just talking to me as a friend ... It escalated into ... my agreeing to do a five minute call-in (commentary on CHOM) in the morning."

"Then I went on away for a couple of weeks and there were all kinds of rumours floating around CHOM that Ted wasn't too happy ...Then someone called and said: 'Did you hear Ted quit?' "

Soon after CHOM management called the 34-year-old Stock and offered him more than five minutes on the phone.

"I'm on from seven to nine Monday to Thursday," said Stock, who will join Chantal Desjardins and Pete Marier on the CHOM morning show. Stock who acknowledged last night that comparisons with the man he'll replace are inevitable.

"I'm kind of replacing Ted, but I'll never be Ted," he said, "I grew up with Ted ... I don't think anyone will ever be Ted and that's a compliment to him.

"At the same time, I don't think they're hiring me because I am Ted. I do what I do, and if they didn't like it, they wouldn't have asked me to join the team.

"If people want to make comparisons, so be it."

Bird, a 32-year radio veteran and an institution in local broadcasting - and CHOM - for more than two decades, announced earlier this month he had resigned from CHOM because of "philosophical and creative differences" with station management.

Last night, Bird said Stock's arrival wasn't exactly a surprise.

"I knew it was coming, I was the one who talked them into hiring him," he said, "I think it's great for him, I think it's a great opportunity for him and he'll be a good fit there."

Stock said the prospect of appearing on a radio morning show not devoted exclusively to sports wasn't a daunting prospect.

"What kind of background has anyone else got in radio? Why are they great at it? Have got their doctorates in anything? They're great at talking to people.

"Say what you will about Don Cherry ... I don't think Don has a masters in too much besides entertainment."

jmennie@thegazette.canwest.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Former Montreal Canadien P.J. Stock will fill the spot vacated by Ted Bird at CHOM 97.7 FM.
 

Former Montreal Canadien P.J. Stock will fill the spot vacated by Ted Bird at CHOM 97.7 FM.

Photograph by: Marie-France Coallier, Gazette file photo

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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An ex CHOM Listener
 
January 22, 2010 - 10:09 AM
 
 

PJ stock and Bad Pete. I DON'T THINK SO.

Bad Pete doesn't play well with others.

   
 
d s
 
January 22, 2010 - 3:58 AM
 
 

P.J. Stock is a stuttering idiot. The guy is a train wreck week after week on HNIC. Does he have incriminating pictures of people, how the heck is he still on tv and radio?

   
 
Five Zero
 
January 21, 2010 - 8:27 PM
 
 

What a great move, I was not a fan of Ted Bird and I forced myself to listen because Bad Pete rocks, ted.not so. Welcome aboard PJ liked your show on the 990...and please do not strive to replace Ted because he sucked!!!

   
 
Bubba
 
January 21, 2010 - 5:26 PM
 
 

Are you frickin' kidding me?? CKOI here i come...

   
 
steve
 
January 21, 2010 - 5:07 PM
 
 

Bad decision

   
 
Rob Read
 
January 21, 2010 - 4:55 PM
 
 

Again change is a good thing.. George Bush did'nt have this many negative comments.PJ is entertaining..  I like CHOM's new music and enjoy Bad Pete and Chantal and Merv. Give me a break.. too many negative people! I read on and cant beleave what's being writen .. Time will tell..

   
 
Sirius-Fan
 
January 21, 2010 - 3:51 PM
 
 

Come one, come all to satellite radio and get a real taste of quality  broadcasting.

Godspeed Ted Bird.

PJ: Good guy, bad timing.  Hope that at least your mom will be listening to CHOM!

   
 
Disgruntled Dave
 
January 21, 2010 - 3:24 PM
 
 

Didnt this guy leave radio to spend more time on HNIC? Somethings very fishy

   
 
I am confused...
 
January 21, 2010 - 2:49 PM
 
 

....any loser can be on CHOM? maybe I can get a job there...

   
 
Bretzky
 
January 21, 2010 - 2:29 PM
 
 

I like Stock, he's a likable guy. But, he's not a broadcaster. I'm not speaking from some sort of high ground here, as in "I can do better than THAT guy!", I'm just voicing an opinion as a listener. And anyone who has listened to Stock stumble, mumble and waffle his way through a broadcast will agree that he's just not a radio show host. Maybe things will turn around for him and he'll be fine as "second banana" to Pete, but I can't see him replacing Ted Bird. Bird was the glue that held that show together. Regardless of the personalities surrounding him, When CHOM became to an all Bland Rock format, Ted's knowledge, experience, wit and talent went a long way to keeping CHOM's morning broadcast afloat.

I have been a CHOM fan since the days the announcers played entire album sides, so that they could sneak out and puff a jay. I have been a fan since the days when they played Sabbath at 6am in the morning and didn't care who it was ticking-off.  I was listening when Terry, Patty and Ted signed on and I am listening now, but that's going to change - today. The Stock announcement was the last straw on the camel's already brittle back. It's not PJ's fault, it's the Suits who now own the station.

Well Suits? I'm done with you and your inferior product. I just can't tolerate any more of this advertising-demographic-driven-drivel any more. Until you blow the damn thing up and start over, I'm switching to The Buzz. Hell, I'll even go AM radio if I have to.  Tell your advertisers that they can find me there.

Regards.

   
 
Adguy
 
January 21, 2010 - 2:27 PM
 
 

Mr. Stock will have to take a few classes at Berlitz and learn to speak English.

   
 
MTLCDN
 
January 21, 2010 - 2:19 PM
 
 

Come on the world changes and we all need to change with it.  Give the new team a break and a chance.

   
 
LOSER
 
January 21, 2010 - 2:14 PM
 
 

'nuff said

   
 
Madame Morticia
 
January 21, 2010 - 1:56 PM
 
 

I usually leave CHOM on at home during the day for my cat.  Hopefully Oreo will enjoy new DJ PJ Sock.  If he knows his audience, maybe Mr Stock can cater his broadcast to them.

   
 
Former CHOM Listener
 
January 21, 2010 - 1:45 PM
 
 

*yawn* bring back Howard Stern.

   
 
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