NHL broadcaster Doc Emrick has announced his retirement
After a long broadcasting career, legendary NHL play by play sportscaster Mike “Doc” Emrick is retiring.
For many hockey fans, Doc Emrick is a very familiar voice. He has been the voice of hockey for years as the lead play by play NHL sportscaster for NBC. Hockey is going to need a new voice, as Emrick has announced his retirement, according to the New York Post.
The 74 year old has been an announcer for over 50 years, getting his start in college hockey and working his way up to the NHL and even the Winter Olympics on several occasions.
Emrick is best known for his ability to keep up with play and for his “Emrick”-isms. Such phrases include “waffleboarded” and his unique word choices. In one USA vs. Canada game at the Olympics, he used at least 153 different words to describe someone moving the puck.
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Emrick earned his nickname “Doc” because he has a Ph.D in Communications from Bowling Green University. He’s done broadcasting work for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, as well as doing national broadcasts for over 30 years.
The entire sport of hockey will miss how he got excited for everything that happens on the ice and his unforgettable baritone voice. To this day, Emrick’s the only hockey announcer to ever win an Emmy award – and he has won six of them.
Who Will Replace The Legend?
Emrick will likely be replaced by Kenny Albert, who is now the longest tenured NBC play by play sportscaster for the NHL. Albert has 30 years of experience behind the mic, getting his start in the AHL with the Baltimore Skipjacks in 1990. He’s been around so long, he’s done NHL games for both ESPN and Fox.
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Much like Emrick, Albert has a ton of experience as a broadcaster, having once announced four different sports in four days. He should be a very capable replacement for his longtime colleague.