Longtime Penguins announcer Mike Lange passes away at 76

Mike Lange, who called games on both television and radio for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins for nearly 50 years, has passed away at the age of 76.

The team issued a statement upon learning of Lange’s passing on Wednesday night.

“The Hall of Famer’s voice is synonymous with the biggest calls in franchise history, including all five Stanley Cup Championships, and his unique one-liners and knack for anticipating game-changing plays set him apart from other announcers,” the statement said, in part. “Only Mike could make the biggest names in hockey seem even more magical with just his voice.

“Mike was so much more than a legendary broadcaster,” the statement added. “He was respected by the players and coaches and beloved by the fans. Because of him, Hockey Nights in Pittsburgh had the entire city ‘smilin’ like a butcher’s dog.'”

Josh Yohe of The Athletic, meanwhile, spoke of Lange’s importance to Pittsburgh and the Penguins.

“Lange last called a Penguins game in 2021, when his considerable health issues forced him to step down from the radio booth,” Yohe said. “Along with Bob Prince, Lange is widely considered the most beloved broadcaster in Pittsburgh sports history. His colorful goal calls, baritone pipes and uncanny feel for hockey turned him into a Pittsburgh legend, and in the years before Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby became household names in Pittsburgh, the city’s hockey franchise had one star — the play-by-play man.”

X user Dante Shuriken also re-shared a video made by TSN in 2009, spotlighting Lange’s top calls.

Lange called for the Penguins on both radio and television from 1976-2006. Following the 2005-06 season, Fox Sports Pittsburgh (as it was then known, now SportsNet Pittsburgh) didn’t renew his deal. Not long after, Lange signed on to call games for the Penguins on radio and remained in that position until 2021.