Shannon Hogan to cover Islanders for MSG

Shannon Hogan went to high school in Northville, Michigan, outside Detroit, so working for Fox Sports Detroit for the past four years covering the Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons was a comfortable fit.

But when her agent called during the Stanley Cup Final with news MSG was looking for a new Islanders reporter, she responded without hesitation.

"I said, 'Oh my God, absolutely; whatever I can do, I have to get in there,'" she recalled Monday, the day before the network officially was set to announce she will succeed Peter Ruttgaizer, who had held the job since 2011.

Turns out Hogan, 29, is a hockey true believer, a love affair sealed during her first exposure to the Red Wings upon moving to Northville for her freshman year of high school. (She was born in Syracuse.)

"This was Hockeytown," she said. "I will never forget going to Joe Louis Arena for the first time and saying, 'Oh, my gosh, this is such an amazing atmosphere.'"

Later, after she became a TV journalist following an All-Big 12 swimming career at Missouri, she got to work two World Series - one covering the Giants and one the Tigers.

But she said, "I firmly believe there is nothing more exciting than the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's a better atmosphere than any other kind of postseason. The energy around it is so fantastic."

Another appeal of the Islanders beat is she will be able to focus on one team and one sport, making it easier to get to know players and coaches. "That's really valuable as a journalist," she said. "It's all about showing the fans part of their personality and who they are as people."

The fact the Islanders will transition from Nassau County to Brooklyn after the coming season was yet another draw.

"That was a big part of why I wanted to be a part of the team now," she said. "The Coliseum has so much tradition ... It will be exciting and also emotional. Then there will be a lot of emotion and excitement around going to Brooklyn."