Bob Birge, Pro Blogger

Hockey Night In Connecticut

A blog focusing on the New York Rangers and all things hockey (also Yankees and Giants) with a New York attitude from a fan of 40 years whose greatest highlight came when Mark Messier lifting the Stanley Cup on June 14, 1994

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NHL Playoffs Not The Same Without Local Broadcasters

May 2, 2012

Because I have been accused of living in the past and because I might never see another Cup, I often listen to  Sam Rosen's play-by-play at the end of game seven of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals.

After Craif MacTavish wins the final faceoff against Pavel Bure and pulls the puck back along the left boards, Rosen exclaims: "THE WAITING IS OVER! THE NEW YORK RANGERS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS! AND THIS ONE WILL LAST A LIFETIME!"

Should the Rangers accomplish the unthinkable this spring, we won't be hearing Rosen's call. That's because NBC has exclusive rights of the playoffs from the second round on.

NBC is doing a solid job with its wall-to-wall coverage of the playoffs, but it has come at a price since the local broadcasts have been preempted. That is unfortunate because many fans would prefer listening to their local broadcasters.

Nineteen Ninety Four was the final year in which teams had local television rights through the Finals. Up until this season, however, the local announcers worked games through the conference finals, excluding those that were on NBC.  

Here is a list of my 10 favorite NHL play-by-play announcers:

Sam Rosen, Rangers

Jim Hughson, Hockey Night In Canada

Doc Emerick, NBC (formerly New Jersey Devils)

Rick Jeanneret, Buffalo Sabres

Joe Bowen, Toronto Maple Leafs

Bob Cole, Hockey Night in Canada

Pat Foley, Chicago Blackhawks

Mike Lange, Pittsburgh Penguins

Randy Hahn, San Jose Sharks

Joe Beninati, Washington Capitals



 

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