AMERKS NAME GRIFFIN DELLA PENNA AS NEW BROADCASTER AND MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST
Della Penna to take over for the legendary Don Stevens as the new play-by-play Voice of the Amerks
Jul 3, 2026The Rochester Americans announced today that Griffin Della Penna has been named the team’s new broadcaster and multimedia journalist beginning with the 2026-27 season. Della Penna becomes the youngest full-time broadcaster in the AHL and first new hire for the postion in over 40 years.
In his new role, Della Penna will take over for the legendary Don Stevens as the primary play-by-play voice of the Amerks for all radio and TV broadcasts, as well as assist in the creation, development, and distribution of engaging content across the team’s various digital and social media platforms. He will also be instrumental in the implementation of the team’s vast network of community outreach initiatives.
“We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of Griffin as our new broadcaster and multimedia journalist,” said Amerks Vice President of Business Operations Chad Buck. “Griffin joins us during an exciting time as we usher in a new era with a new voice for our 71st season following the retirement of Hall of Famer Don Stevens. Griffin has a unique skillset that we’re confident will resonate well with Amerks fans and we’re excited for him to take the next step in his career while continuing to be a valuable member of our organization.”
Della Penna joins the Amerks after most recently serving as the director of creative content and multimedia reporter for the Coastal Athletic Association, where he was the on-camera host producing daily digital content for the NCAA Division 1 mid-major conference. During his time with the CAA, he was responsible for creating multiple original content series as the sole producer, editor, and talent, highlighting student-athletes and coaches from all 13 member institutions. Della Penna also served as the on-site reporter for 24 different sports at CAA conference championships, appearing on FloSports broadcasts in various roles.
His extensive broadcast experience includes over 300 appearances doing play-by-play, studio hosting, and sideline reporting on the ESPN+ family of networks. Della Penna has served as a primary voice of the Canisius University men’s and women’s basketball teams and main studio host for Syracuse University men’s and women’s lacrosse on ACC Network Extra.
As a senior at Canisius University in 2022-23, he was hired as the athletic department’s multimedia reporter to enhance the coverage of their 20 NCAA Division 1 programs. Della Penna produced a video series recapping and previewing everything you needed to know each week called “Around Canisius Athletics,” while also launching a podcast featuring athletes, coaches, and prominent alumni. He was a pivotal in coverage of the Golden Griffins Hockey team, who won the Atlantic Hockey Championship and appeared in the NCAA Tournament.
“As a Western New York kid growing up in Batavia, it is surreal to be taking over for a legend like Don Stevens in this new chapter of Amerks hockey,” said Della Penna. “Having the honor to witness Don up close over the last few years and now be able to follow in Don’s footsteps is an opportunity that I will never take for granted. This organization has such a deep relationship with the city and I’m looking forward to engraining myself in the Rochester community outside of my duties inside Blue Cross Arena. I can’t wait to get to work and for the 2026-27 season to begin.”
Della Penna has been part of the Amerks local TV broadcasts on CW Rochester over the last three seasons, providing rinkside analysis, interviews, and reports. He also served as a sideline reporter for the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League during that span.
This past season, Della Penna served as in-arena host for the Buffalo Sabres during select home games, enhancing the overall gameday experience inside KeyBank Center. He was also the main host for the official “Party in the Plaza” watch parties at Canalside throughout the Sabres' run in the NHL playoffs, as well as emceeing the red carpet arrival of the top prospects at the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft.
Della Penna began his career in sports as a media and content intern with the Sabres and Buffalo Bandits during the 2021-22 season, becoming a contributing writer on the Sabres website and the lead beat reporter for Bandits coverage. During his internship, he made multiple trips to the Blue Cross Arena to write articles on Sabres prospects like Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka.
“I’m looking to forward to working with Griffin as he prepares to take on this position,” said Stevens, the AHL’s longest tenured broadcaster who will be inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame later this month. “He has been an important part of our TV broadcasts over the last few years and has always taken his role seriously and with the utmost professionalism, always willing to listen and improve. Griffin has an excellent grasp on what this position is going to require, and I know he will do a tremendous job.”
Della Penna earned his undergraduate degree from Canisius University in 2023, double-majoring in journalism with a concentration in sports broadcast and strategic communication with a minor in leadership prior to receiving a master’s degree in broadcast & digital journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in 2024.
Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season, which start as low as $22 per game, are on sale now and come with several Members-only perks and benefits. Full and Half Season Membership options are also available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, call 585-454-5335 or visit www.amerks.com/memberships.