Legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange passes away at 76

One of the most recognizable voices in sports, let alone hockey history, has died.

On Wednesday, Mike Lange, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins, passed away at the age of 76.

“Mike Lange was a wordsmith – a magician behind the mic,” the Penguins said in a statement. “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…his unique one-liners and knack for anticipating game-changing plays set him apart from other announcers. “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.’”

Lange was more than just a broadcaster for the local team, he represented a franchise for almost five decades. From 1974, through the franchise’s dog days pre-Mario Lemieux, until the end of the 2021 season, Lange was one of the best and most colorful personas on the airwaves. From phrases like, “He beat him like a rented mule,” and “Slap me silly, Sidney,” Lange managed to call a great game while making fans, both of the Penguins and abroad, have a little chuckle when they tuned in.

“The NHL is saddened by the passing of long-time Penguins play-by-play broadcaster Mike Lange,” the league said in a statement. “Recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Award in 2001 for outstanding contributions to his profession. Our thoughts are with his family and his many friends in the game.”

The Sacramento, California native got his start in broadcasting with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the old professional Western Hockey League, later serving as the voice of the San Diego Gulls before making the jump to the NHL in the Steel City.

Lange was the storyteller for multiple generations of Pittsburgh fans. From Mario and Jaromir Jagr’s early years to the back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992, through the revitalization of the franchise with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the team to three more Cups, Lange saw it all and called it all with class, dignity and whole lot of flair.

Jagr paid tribute to the legend when his No. 68 was retired by the Pens exactly one year to the day of Lange’s passing. Lange missed the ceremony for health reasons.

“I’ve got to say the last name – he’s not a player, he’s not a coach, he’s not a manager,” Jagr said during his speech. “But he was, for me, the voice of Pittsburgh Penguins: Mike Lange.”