Legendary Broadcaster Mike Lange Opts Out for Start of Penguins Season

You will not hear a Michael, Michael Motorcycle, Hallelujah Hollywood, and she will not be able to sell your monkey. Sam and his dog will also go without a drink for the start of the 2020-21 Pittsburgh Penguins season as legendary Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange has opted not to start the season in the Penguins radio booth.

Lange, 72, said he conferred with doctors, and they advised him to wait until he receives the COVID-19 vaccine before returning.

PHN strongly urges Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine to HURRY UP and get Lange vaccinated (as well as millions of Pennsylvanian seniors). According to a New York Times survey on Dec. 13, PA and Puerto Rico were the only two American recipients of the vaccine without a publicly released plan.

“I’ve decided to opt out of the start of the season after huddling with doctors about the course of Covid-19,” said Lange. “They’ve suggested it probably is best to receive the vaccinations before going back in the booth.”

Josh Getzoff will do the radio play-by-play with color analyst Phil Bourque. The Penguins radio broadcasts will again be on their flagship radio station, 105.9 The X, and the Penguins Radio Network.

Paul Steigerwald will host the pre and post-game shows.

From the Mike Lange statement released by the Pittsburgh Penguins:

“I’m very much appreciative that the Penguins hierarchy gave me this chance to get everything in order,” Lange said in a statement.

We all know the broadcasts will be in more-than-capable hands. Josh Getzoff has proven he is an NHL broadcaster in his own right, and Phil Bourque is a rock in the booth.  They are, without a doubt, knowledgeable, entertaining, and just fun to hear on the airwaves.

And I’m sure you all join me in thanking the NHL and the Penguins players, coaches, and staff for working so hard to bring hockey back this year. It has been a challenging effort, and we all should salute them for their dedication in making it possible.

Meanwhile … Keep Smilin’ Like a Butcher’s Dog! See ya soon.”

It will be Lange’s 46th season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last year, the Penguins honored him by renaming the press box at PPG Paints Arena as the “Mike Lange Media Level.”

Here are all of Mike Lange’s 2017 playoffs goal calls.