Legendary Penguins Broadcaster Mike Lange Dies at 76; Celebrated for Iconic Goal Calls

February 20, 2025
Legendary Penguins Broadcaster Mike Lange Dies at 76; Celebrated for Iconic Goal Calls
  • Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange, known for his distinctive goal calls, passed away at the age of 76, as confirmed by the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 19, 2025.

  • The cause of Lange's death has not been disclosed.

  • Lange was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001, receiving the Foster Hewitt Award for broadcast excellence.

  • After a brief departure due to the team's financial struggles, he returned to the Penguins in 1976 and remained their primary broadcaster for the next 30 years without missing a game.

  • His calls were so iconic that they were often mimicked by other sportscasters, including former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann.

  • Born on March 3, 1948, in Sacramento, California, Lange began his broadcasting career in the Western Hockey League before joining the Penguins in 1974.

  • The Penguins honored Lange in October 2021, marking his 50th year in broadcasting, during which he expressed his gratitude for his career.

  • Phil Bourque, a former Penguin and Lange's long-time partner, praised him as one of the kindest and most loyal individuals he had ever met.

  • He transitioned to full-time radio broadcasting in 2006 and called the Penguins' Stanley Cup victories in 2009, 2016, and 2017 before retiring in August 2021.

  • Lange had a nearly five-decade career, documenting the Penguins' evolution into a five-time Stanley Cup champion, and was known for his unique delivery and quirky sayings.

  • Some of Lange's memorable phrases included 'It's a hockey night in Pittsburgh' and 'Elvis has left the building,' which made him a beloved figure among fans.

  • In 1992, after the Penguins won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, Lange famously said, 'Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, get me the brandy.'

Summary based on 3 sources


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