The voice synonymous with the game of hockey is stepping away, retiring on his own terms at the very top of his game. Mike “Doc” Emrick announced that at age 74, he’s taking himself out of the lineup after 50 years behind the mic. Emrick is a member of 7 different halls of fame and is a hall of fame type of guy as well.
Emrick will be sorely missed and selfishly, I’d love to see him continue for many years to come, but he’s earned the right to go out on his own terms. Not many of us in this business are lucky enough to be able to do that.
It seems cliché to say, “you know it’s a big game when he’s on the call…”, but it’s true. Even if it was a “Game of the Week” on NBCSN, it was a spotlight game if Doc was there to announce it. Very few announcers have that reputation.
To me, Emrick brought fans, that would otherwise not even be interested, to the game of hockey. His style, his grace, his voice and his enthusiasm for the NHL were all things that drew people to watch his broadcast. Many of those, many, not all, didn’t know a slapshot from a back check, or an offsides from a power play, but they watched. I mentioned the style, a mastery of the English language and an energy unmatched by most was his calling card. It’s actually quite amazing how Emrick never seems to describe the same play the same way twice. Not ever.
Emrick most importantly had a tremendous handle on the game itself, with what some call an “encyclopedic” knowledge of NHL history and players. Emrick would always drop in obscure names from each of the team’s playing that night. It gave him instant credibility with both fan bases, giving each the impression that Doc knew their teams. Such a clever way to make a national broadcast seem local.
The thing I’ll miss the most is Doc’s enthusiasm for the game. Every game he did, Emrick seemed to be having the time of his life. After almost 50 years-worth of games, you can’t fake that. You just can’t. Doc truly loved what he did and now will begin the next chapter of his life.
I think the tweet from NBC’s NHL Twitter summed it up best. 47 seasons calling pro hockey. 45 different Game 7’s. 22 Stanley Cup Finals. 14 NHL All-Star Games. 6 Olympic Games. Only ONE Doc Emrick.
Thank you, Doc, one of the greatest hockey announcers of all-time and one of the greatest human beings of all-time as well. The best to you in your retirement, you will be missed!
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
