Hefter and Needham to get Impact radio gigs on CJAD?

While the Montreal Impact reportedly continues to negotiate a contract with CJAD to broadcast their games for the 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, my sources are telling me that Abe Hefter is now the leading candidate to handle play by play duties. He would be joined in the booth by former Impact player (1993-1998) Grant Needham.

Grant Needham

Abe Hefter

Needham previously handled such duties when CJAD last carried the  Impact. He partnered with Rob Martier, who left the station a few years ago and returned to his native Chicago. Hefter is a veteran Montreal broadcaster with a great set of pipes. He was very involved with the Montreal Canadiens broadcasts, before CJAD lost the rights to TSN Radio 990. Presently he does the weekend morning sportscasts, hosts a weekend sports  talk show called the Locker Room. and does swing shifts during the week.

As reported previously, TSN Radio 990 has decided not to pursue the rights this season due to the many conflicts the 32 game MLS schedule would pose for their Canadiens broadcasts between March and October. Brian Wilde of CTV Sports, who did play by play for the Impact on TSN Radio 990, cannot be discounted for the job either.

Update: CJAD has announced it will indeed carry Impact home games. But it will be Rick Moffat, not Abe Hefter, handling play-by-play. Needham will do colour.