Legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange retires after 50+ years in the booth

Longtime Pittsburgh Penguins play by play man Mike Lange has announced that he is retiring from play by play broadcasts. The 73 year old missed the majority of the past two season out of an abundance of caution during the pandemic while awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine. He returned to the booth alongside color analyst Phil Bourque to call two home games at the end of the regular season and Games 1 and 5 of the Penguins' Round One series against the New York Islanders, but he has decided that now is the time for him to step away from the broadcast booth. He will be aa recurring studio guest next season, but he will no longer call the action.

"Mike is a broadcasting legend, not just in Pittsburgh, but in all of sports," said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse. "He is respected and admired by all, including our ownership, players and management and executive team. Mike's clever phrases and goal calls are synonymous with the most iconic moments in Penguins history. Although he is stepping away from the booth, he remains a huge part of the Penguins' family and we look forward to hearing his voice for years to come."

Lange's relationship with the Penguins began in 1974-75, when he broke into the NHL as a radio play-by-play man. He left for one season, but returned in 1976-77 and has been a fixture on the Penguins' scene ever since. 

Lange did radio exclusively until 1979, when games were simulcast on radio and TV. He served as the television voice of the Penguins through 2005-06, before returning to the radio booth in 2006-07.

"As many of you know, I have been cutting back on game broadcasts the last few seasons. This year was difficult with the pandemic, but I was still able to broadcast a limited few, which was important to me. That marked 50 years of broadcasting professional hockey - four in the Western Hockey League and 46 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. That was pretty special for me," said Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange. "I didn't get cheated in my quest to do what I have always loved. The Penguins have asked me to continue to add commentary and voice work on a limited basis to the current radio set-up and I look forward to staying involved. In the meantime, the best consolation to stepping away is knowing that the broadcast couldn't be in better hands with the very talented Josh Getzoff, and the Ole '29-er, Phil Bourque."

Ladies and gentlemen... Elvis has just left the building...