Legendary Penguin broadcaster Mike Lange passed away at his Pittsburgh home on Wednesday.
He was 76 years old.
Lange spent 46 seasons as the voice of the Penguin, calling all five of the franchise's Stanley Cup final victories, and soundtracks for hockey's best players, from Mario Lemieux and Jaromire Jagule to Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin It has become.
Lange left the microphone due to health issues after calling his last penguin game in 2021.
“Mike Lange was Ward Smith and the magician behind Mike,” Penguin said in a statement. “California quickly became typical Pittsburgh, and his colorful call and smooth cadence made Penguin hockey a reality.
The Hall of Fame voice is synonymous with his biggest appeal in the franchise's history, including all five Stanley Cup championships, and his unique one-liner and tricks to anticipating game-changing play.
“Only Mike could make hockey's biggest name look even more magical with his voice alone.”
Lange is best known for his unique catchphrase, which has been obsessed with hockey fans for generations.
His most widely remembered proverbs include “Elvis just left the building”, “Hockey night in Pittsburgh”, “Fast lane, Grandma, Bingo game ready to roll”, ” He smiles like a butcher dog!”
Lange originally dreamed of becoming a baseball broadcaster, but in 1969 he fell in love with hockey while studying broadcasting in Sacramento State and began penalty box for the Sacramento Ice Hockey Association.
He began his broadcasting career with the Phoenix Road Runner in the Western Hockey League, and eventually worked behind the Penguin microphone in 1974.
Celebrating Penguin's time as a broadcasting station. NHLI via Getty Images
“I'm honest and I'm a firm believer in the guy upstairs.” Lange told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette 2021. I think it was due to fate that ended here. ”
Lange worked with Paul Steigerwald for most of his Pittsburgh broadcasting career.
He is also known as Eddie Olczyk and Bob Errey Broadcast Partners.
The popular announcer appeared in the 1995 Jean-Claude Van Dam action thriller Sudden Death.
Lange was introduced to Hockey Hall of Fame broadcasters in 2001.
“The microphone was more than a legendary broadcaster,” the Penguin statement added. “He was respected and loved by his players and coaches, and his fans. For him. Hockey nights in Pittsburgh had the whole city “smile” like a butcher dog. ”
