Hockey, Humor, and History: Jerry Dowling’s WVXU Spotlight

Cincinnati hockey has a long, colorful history, and few people have captured it with more personality than Jerry Dowling, the Cincinnati sports cartoonist whose illustrations have chronicled the city’s teams for decades. Last month, Jerry joined WVXU’s Cincinnati Edition for a special segment looking back at the seven minor league hockey teams that have taken the ice here since the Cincinnati Mohawks first skated into the Gardens in 1945.

Jerry appeared on the program alongside Don Helbig, Cincinnati hockey historian, and Rudy Hodgson, play‑by‑play announcer and public relations coordinator for the Cincinnati Cyclones. Together, they explored the stories, characters, and unforgettable moments that shaped Cincinnati’s hockey identity from early minor‑league days to the modern Cyclones era.

Throughout the conversation, Jerry shared insights drawn from a lifetime of sketching the city’s sports scene. His cartoons have followed Cincinnati hockey through its many eras, capturing the humor, grit, and quirks of players, coaches, and fans. Those illustrations now come together in his newest book, Cincinnati Hockey and Its History, a rich compilation of his hockey cartoons spanning his entire career. It’s both a visual history and a love letter to the teams that made Queen City hockey unforgettable.

Tune in here to access Jerry’s full interview and enjoy the stories behind the cartoons. It’s a great listen for longtime fans, newcomers, and anyone who appreciates the blend of sports, storytelling, and art that Jerry has brought to Cincinnati for decades.