Mike Emrick, one of the best-known and most celebrated announcers in hockey history, is retiring.
Emrick called games for 47 years, including the past 15 as NBC's lead play-by-play man.
Emrick began his media career covering the Penguins as a freelance reporter for the Beaver County Times during the 1970-71 season before doing play-by-play for Bowling Green University 1971-73. His first professional gig, with the Port Huron Flags of the now-defunct International Hockey League, followed in 1973.
After a stint with the Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League 1977-80, Emrick moved to the Mariners' parent club, the Philadelphia Flyers, for his first NHL job. he subsequently called games for the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers before moving into network jobs with ESPN/ABC, FOX and NBC.
"It was 50 years ago this fall, with pen and pad in hand at old Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, I got my first chance to cover the National Hockey League," Emrick said, in a statement released by NBC. "Gordie Howe was a Red Wing, Bobby Hull was a Blackhawk, Bobby Orr was a Bruin. A time like this makes me recall that we have seen a lot together. The biggest crowd ever, 105,000 at Michigan State. A gold-medal game that required overtime before the two North American powers in Vancouver.
"Things change over 50 years, but much of what I love is unchanged from then to now and into the years ahead, I still get chills seeing the Stanley Cup. I especially love when the horn sounds and one team has one and another team hasn't, all hostility can dissolve into the timeless great display of sportsmanship -- the handshake line. I leave you with sincere thanks."
Emrick, who has made no secret of his passion for the Pirates, also leaves with a large collection of honors. He is a member of no fewer than seven Halls of Fame and has won eight Sports Emmy awards.