OCEANSIDE, CA (Wednesday, October 7, 2026) – The Oceanside Shock today announced their broadcasting team for the 2026-27 season. Veteran San Diego announcers Craig Elsten (play-by-play) and Michael Metzger (color analyst) will announce all 28 Shock home games from Frontwave Arena, North County San Diego’s premier home for sports and entertainment. All Shock home games will be aired live exclusively on the team’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/@oceansideshock. The first broadcast will take place on Saturday, October 10 at 6:00pm as the Shock host the Fresno Falcons in their first-ever home opener.
“We are excited to present Oceanside Shock hockey with an experienced pair of broadcasters who we believe will quickly become one of the best in the FPHL,” said Frontwave Arena Executive VP Sean Bowers.
Elsten, 54, serves in a full-time position with Frontwave Arena as Manager, Communications and Broadcast. He has been the “Voice of the Sockers” since the team’s return to action in 2009, announcing San Diego Sockers matches from 2009-15 and 2017-present and also serving as a lead Major Arena Soccer League voice, having announced ten Ron Newman Cup Finals. When the San Diego Gulls returned as an AHL franchise, Elsten was the club’s radio announcer (on the Mighty 1090 and ESPN Radio 1700) from 2015-18, calling over 200 Gulls games in the regular season and playoffs. In addition, Elsten has worked the past five seasons as the public address announcer for San Diego Wave FC, a job he continues to this day. With decades of radio experience dating back to 1996 and featuring stints at San Diego’s biggest sports radio stations (XTRA Sports 690, 97.3-The Fan), Elsten offers a perspective colored by decades of following and reporting on San Diego’s top sports teams. He is also a prolific podcast host, highlighted by San Diego’s top independent Padres podcast, “Padres Hot Tub”, and is a frequent expert guest on local TV stations Fox-5 and KUSI.
Metzger, 56, is a play-by-play broadcaster and color commentator with experience covering hockey at both the junior and collegiate levels. He served as the primary play-by-play voice of the USPHL’s San Diego Sabers throughout the 2024 season and part of the 2025 campaign and currently provides color commentary for San Diego State University’s ACHA Division I and Division II hockey teams. A lifelong sports fan, Metzger first developed his broadcasting skills calling his three sons’ hockey games. A U.S. Navy veteran, he brings preparation, energy, and a strong understanding of the game to every broadcast, with a focus on informing and engaging the audience.
The Oceanside Shock begin their inaugural season in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) on Friday when they travel to Fresno. The first two Shock broadcasts will be Saturday at 6:00pm against Fresno, and Sunday at 5:00pm against the Stockton Thunder. Tickets for all Shock home games are available now by visiting frontwavearena.com.
