Meet James and Carlie

ST. LOUIS - There are plenty of new faces on the ice this season, and off the ice, there are two more!
Say hello to James Bertels and Carlie Lawrence, the Blues' in-game hosts for the 2018-19 season.
We caught up with James and Carlie to get to know them better and to delve into their game-day routines.
Here's what we learned:

Meet James

Hailing from Troy, MO, James Bertels is no rookie when it comes to holding a mic at a Blues game. Last season, James was a winner of the Blues' first National Anthem contest, which was held in conjunction with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and had the opportunity to perform it in front of fans before the puck dropped.
Music has always been central in James' life - ever since fourth grade when he had to make the decision to either take karate or guitar lessons. To this day, James says choosing those guitar lessons was one of the best decisions he has ever made. Not a day goes by where he doesn't think of music, especially country music.
Growing up a Blues fan, James has witnessed his fair share of memorable moments. His favorite memories include seeing Wayne Gretzky play for the Blues, the intensity of the Blues' battles with the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and even meeting Tony Twist at a Joe's Crab Shack restaurant. Yet, none of those experiences compare to his anticipation for this season.

Meet Carlie

A Missouri native, Carlie Lawrence has called St. Louis home for the majority of her life. Carlie is returning home this season after spending four seasons in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, splitting her time with the team between being a cheerleader and an emcee.
With a laugh that cheers up everyone around her, it's no surprise that Carlie's passion lies in comedy and improv. Carlie has been making people laugh for the past few years and performs in comedy clubs across the St. Louis area. Even when asked if she could medal in any Olympic sport, real or fake, Carlie gave a comedic answer, saying, "not eating a family sized bag of chips (by myself), because I would do that."
Beginning her new position with the Blues is the icing to the cake for Carlie's homecoming. Carlie's role with the team is a dream come true that she didn't even know she had. She says she could have not asked to work with more awesome fans or have a better family to support her in her new role.

A (Game) Day in the Life on an In-Game Host

Now that you know James and Carlie, you're probably curious what their lives look like on game day.
The short answer? A good amount of time is spent laughing and announcing, a bit spent spontaneously dancing, and lot spent running around Enterprise Center.
Before each game, James and Carlie prepare to put on the best show they can by reviewing scripts and building their enthusiasm for the game. As the time for the puck drop approaches, James and Carlie make their way to Section 112, where during stoppages in play, they entertain the crowd until play resumes on the ice.
While you might only hear them during stoppages in play, you will see them on the ice during intermissions. With the players in the locker room, James and Carlie take center ice to facilitate in-game entertainment for fans, which can vary from musical chairs on the ice, trying to find Louie on ice while blindfolded, and interviewing special guests as they partake in festivities at Enterprise Center.
As the final buzzer approaches, James and Carlie make their final announcements to close out the game.
As the season advances, James and Carlie are very excited to progress in their roles, and if you see them around Enterprise Center, make sure to say hello!