Hall of Fame Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange is retiring from his play-by-play duties but will remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins to do appearances in Penguins programming.
Lange has been with the Penguins since the 1974-75 season and has been the voice of the team ever since appearing on both TV and radio.
The 73-year-old Lange missed most of the 2020-21 season out of an “abundance of caution” during the pandemic, while waiting to get vaccinated.
“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.”
In 2019, the Penguins named the press box at PPG Paints Arena, the “Mike Lange Media Level” during a celebration of his 45 years with the organization.
“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 Lange in a statement.
Lange has called all five of the Penguins Stanley Cup victories and is catchphrases like “Get that dog off my lawn”, “slap me silly Sidney”, “Let’s go hunt moose on a Harley” and “scratch my back with a hacksaw” are just as ingrained in Penguins culture and fandom as the players on the ice.
Lange also broadcasted with the Pirates in 1986 and 1987.