Lange retires from play-by-play after 46 years with Penguins taken at PPG Paints Arena (Penguins)

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Mike Lange

Mike Lange on Monday announced his retirement from play-by-play broadcasting after 46 years with the Penguins.

Lange, 73, will continue to make limited appearances on the Penguins Radio Network and other team programming.

"As many of you know, I have been cutting back on game broadcasts the last few seasons," Lange said in a statement. "This year was difficult with the pandemic, but I was still able to broadcast a limited few, which was important to me. That marked 50 years of broadcasting professional hockey - four in the Western Hockey League and 46 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. That was pretty special for me. I didn't get cheated in my quest to do what I have always loved. The Penguins have asked me to continue to add commentary and voice work on a limited basis to the current radio set-up and I look forward to staying involved. In the meantime, the best consolation to stepping away is knowing that the broadcast couldn't be in better hands with the very talented Josh Getzoff, and the Ole '29-er, Phil Bourque."

Lange announced prior to the 2020-21 season that he would be delaying his return to the radio booth until he was vaccinated, but an unrelated medical procedure further delayed his return. He called two regular-season home games, as well as Game 1 and 5 of the Penguins' first-round playoff series against the Islanders.

Lange first worked as a play-by-play broadcaster for the Penguins in the 1974-75 season, and returned in 1976-77 after a year away. He's been calling Penguins games, either on radio or TV, ever since.

"Mike is a broadcasting legend, not just in Pittsburgh, but in all of sports," Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse said in a team release. "He is respected and admired by all, including our ownership, players and management and executive team. Mike's clever phrases and goal calls are synonymous with the most iconic moments in Penguins history. Although he is stepping away from the booth, he remains a huge part of the Penguins' family and we look forward to hearing his voice for years to come."

The Penguins have created two channels for fans to share well wishes and memories with Lange. Written messages can be submitted here, and video messages can be submitted here.

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