Longtime Pittsburgh Penguin TV and radio station Mike Lange has passed away at the age of 76, the team announced Wednesday night.
After 46 years of phone calls to Penguins games, the colorful Lange retired in 2021, won the Hockey Hall of Fame Foster Hewitt Award in 2001 for Outstanding Broadcast Awards.
“Mike Lange was Ward Smith – the magician behind Mike,” Penguin said in a statement. “The Californian quickly became a typical Pittsburger, and his colorful call and smooth cadence made him a penguin hockey.
“The Hall of Fame voice is synonymous with his unique one-liner and tricks to anticipating the biggest call in the franchise history, including all five Stanley Cup Championships, and game-changing play. Hockey’s His voice alone makes his name seem even more magical.”
Penguin won championships in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016 and 2017 during his tenure. He described plays by Penguin legends Mario Lemieux, Jalomire Jagule, Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin.
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Lange was recognized at a pre-match ceremony celebrating 45 years as the 2019 Penguin voice. The team was named the PPG Paint Arena Press Box.
From 1974 to 1975, Lange invaded the NHL as a Penguin radio play by play announcer. He left for a season, but returned in 1976-77. Lange performed exclusively on radio until 1979, when the games were simultaneously aired on radio and television. He was the voice of Penguin TV from 2005-06 and returned to the radio booth in 2006-07.
Sacramento, California earned his Broadcasting degree from Sacramento before calling minor league hockey alongside the Phoenix Roadrunner and the San Diego Gulls. He also called out the Washington Diplomats’ game of football before joining the Penguins.
“I’ve always been fooled by my quest to do what I’ve loved,” he said in 2021.
Mike Lange’s famous proverb
“Stanley Lord, Stanley Lord, I’ll give you brandy.” “I’ll hurt my back with a hacksaw.” Smilin like a butcher dog. “He beat him like a mule that borrowed him.”