Broadcaster Mike Lange takes questions from fans during a Q&A before a Penguins morning skate in 2011. PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Kaya Wagner
Staff Writer
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Feb. 19 that Mike Lange, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, passed away at the age of 76.
Lange had served as a caller for the Penguins for 46 years. Throughout his career, he was the caller for all five of the team’s Stanley Cup wins and also received the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Award for outstanding broadcast in 2001. He later retired in 2021.
Lange’s career with the Penguins started in the 1974-75 season as a radio play-by-play announcer. He then took the next season off before returning for the 1976-77 season. Lange focused on radio until 1979, when the TV and radio coverage had become simulcast. He remained the TV voice until the 2005-06 season, before returning to radio for the 2006-07 season.
In a statement on Instagram, the Penguins posted, “Mike Lange was a wordsmith – a magician behind the mike. The Californian quickly became a quintessential Pittsburgher, and his colorful calls and smooth cadence brought Penguins hockey to life.” The statement continued by saying, “The Hall of Famer’s voice is synonymous with the biggest calls in franchise history, including all five Stanley Cup Championships, and his unique one-liners and knack for anticipating game-changing plays set him apart from other announcers. Only Mike could make the biggest names in hockey seem even more magical with just his voice.”
The Penguins honored Lange Saturday night before facing off against the Washington Capitals at the PPG Paints Arena. Fans brought signs displaying some of his iconic quotes, and the press box featured a bouquet of flowers along with a retro headset.
Coach Mike Sullivan, head coach of the Penguins, shared the impact of the ceremony. “It was an emotional few moments for, particularly, the guys who have been here a while that had the privilege to know and interacted with him,” said Sullivan. “For those guys, I’m sure it was an emotional moment. But also I just thought it was a great tribute to Mike — what he means to Pittsburgh, what he means to the Penguins organization.”