Mike Lange, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, passed away at 76. Lange, known for his imaginative goal calls, served as the Pittsburgh Penguins play-by-play announcer from 1974 to 2021 and was awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2001 for his outstanding work.
Pittsburgh Penguins’ play-by-play voice Mike Lange passed away at the age of 76
Mike Lange, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ play-by-play voice, passed away at the age of 76. He retired in 2021 after 46 years of calling games on radio and television. Lange was the 2001 winner of the Foster Hewitt Award, awarded by the Hockey Hall of Fame and the NHL Broadcasters Association for excellence in hockey broadcasting and contributions to the game.
“The Penguins organization joins the family, friends and fans of legendary broadcaster Mike Lange as we mourn his passing and remember his remarkable life,” the Penguins said in a statement. “Mike Lange was a wordsmith – a magician behind the mic. The Californian quickly became a quintessential Pittsburgher, and his colorful calls and smooth cadence brought Penguins hockey to life.”
‘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. Only Mike could make the biggest names in hockey seem more magical with just his voice. Mike was so much more than a legendary broadcaster. He was respected by the players and the coaches and beloved by the fans. Because of him, hockey nights in Pittsburgh had the entire city, ‘smilin’ like a butcher’s dog.’”
Sacramento native Lange began his broadcasting career as the radio voice of the Phoenix Roadrunners in 1970. He later served as the play-by-play announcer for the San Diego Gulls and the Pittsburgh Penguins. After leaving Pittsburgh for one season, Lange called games for the Washington Diplomats in 1975-76 before returning to the Penguins in 1976.
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Lange, a former radio announcer, remained in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ broadcasts until 1979 when they transitioned to simulcasting on both radio and television, returning to the radio booth for the rest of his career. Lange narrated the Penguins’ rise to dominance, highlighting their success with Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in 1991 and 1992, and their subsequent success with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in 2009, 2016, and 2017.