The iconic voice of hockey is hanging up his headset.
After 47 years of broadcasting professional hockey, with the last 15 as the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports' NHL coverage, Mike "Doc" Emrick retired on Monday.
With an unrivaled passion and expertise in articulating a game's every moment, Emrick became the go-to voice on hockey's grandest stages. A voice with a connection to hockey on all levels, Emrick called Flyers games from 1980 to 1983 and 1988 to 1993.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"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. Gordie Howe was a Red Wing, Bobby Hull was a Blackhawk, Bobby Orr was a Bruin,” Emrick said in his announcement, via NBC Sports. “A time like this makes me recall that we have seen a lot together. The biggest crowd ever, 105,000 at Michigan Stadium. A gold medal game that required overtime between 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 won 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."
The accomplishments behind Emrick's work are astounding. Per NBC Sports, Emrick has called over 3,750 professional and Olympic hockey games, 45 Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and 22 Stanley Cup Final series. He is also an eight-time Emmy Award winner and has been inducted into seven Halls of Fame.
Emrick will remain a member of the NBC Sports family by writing and narrating video essays on occasion.
Many across the hockey world shared their gratitude and congratulatory messages for Emrick on Monday.