John DeMott Passes Away

     Former longtime West Palm Beach radio sportscaster John DeMott passed away last weekend at the age of 80. DeMott was best known for his long reign as the sports director, sports anchor and sports reporter at WJNO-AM from the 1980s until the early 2000s. He was also the West Palm Beach Blaze public address announcer in the Sunshine Hockey League during the 1992-93 season. 

     DeMott was the public address announcer of the Florida Panthers during their first seven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1993-94 until 1998-99. He came up with the call of "Panthers Goal!" every time the team scored in a home game at Miami Arena and in Sunrise.

     He previously was in San Diego prior to his arrival in South Florida as a radio sportscaster.  He also worked as the first public address announcer of the San Diego Padres. DeMott held the role of president of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission at the time of his passing.