One of the more colourful off-ice characters in hockey is going to be on its biggest stage.

On Friday, Sportsnet revealed its broadcast team for the upcoming Stanley Cup Final – the rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Along with the great play-by-play broadcaster Chris Cuthbert and colour commentator Craig Simpson, longtime Oilers reporter Gene Principe will be rinkside for every game of the championship series.

The decision is a rather surprising one, given that the network has typically averted from using regional reporters – such as Principe or Calgary Flames rinkside reporter Ryan Leslie – for its coverage of the finals. However, with the Oilers in the final for the second straight year, the network decided to give one of its longtime members a spot in the brightest of spotlights.

Principe has been with Sportsnet since 2001, covering Oiler greats like Ryan Smyth and Jason Smith before going through some tough years when Edmonton was stuck in a seemingly endless rebuild.

The Edmonton native managed to keep things light with his endless supply of quirky outfits and puns that forced even the most disgruntled Oilers fan to smile. So, when the team started to become relevant again when players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl grew into superstars, Principe’s attitude only added to the positive vibes around the team.

While he covered the final in the past, the Oilers’ memorable run in 2006, it was at a time when Sportsnet didn’t have the same television rights they do now. So, this is Principe’s first real shot at being rinkside in front of a national audience for the championship series.

Principe steps in place of Kyle Bukauskas, another longtime member of Sportsnet who has worked the last five Stanley Cup Finals. He succeeded Scott Oake, who had been part of both Sportsnet and CBC’s coverage of the finals since 1998.

Game 1 of this year’s final is set for this coming Wednesday in Edmonton. Puck drop is scheduled for a little after 6 p.m. MT.