Columbus Blue Jackets play-by-play announcer George Matthews to cut back on his work schedule

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets say that radio play-by-play announcer George Matthews, the club's voice throughout its 12 NHL seasons, has decided to reduce his work schedule.

Matthews will continue to call a limited number of games during the 2013-14 season in addition to spending more time at his home on Prince Edward Island.

He says he had been contemplating the move for some time.

Matthews has called 1,032 regular-season, preseason and Stanley Cup playoff games. His first Blue Jackets game was on Sept. 15, 2000, as Columbus faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in its inaugural preseason game. He called his 1,000th game on Feb. 16, 2013, in Phoenix.