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Crosby, Sullivan, Bourque & Many More Pay Tribute to Mike Lange

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Pittsburgh Penguins Tribute to Mike Lange

Legendary Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange passed away Wednesday at the age of 76. His impact and his reach were felt even at the Four Nations Face-Off, where Team Canada and Team USA are preparing for the most anticipated hockey game in more than a decade.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, who is coaching Team USA, opened his media availability with a couple of notes and concluded with a short tribute to Lange.

“And the last thing I’d like to do is just acknowledge the legendary broadcaster Mike Lange from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who passed away yesterday. Mike means a lot to the city of Pittsburgh. I know he means a lot to our players and our coaching staff in particular,” said Sullivan. “Some of my greatest memories in hockey have Mike’s voice accompanied with those and he certainly means the world to all of us in Pittsburgh. We wish his family thoughts and prayers. Mike will be missed in Pittsburgh.”

Read More: Molinari: Remembering Mike Lange, You Had to Be Here to Believe It

Lange called the Penguins’ games for five decades, arriving in the early 1970s and lasting through the most recent Stanley Cup victories of 2016 and 2017 before retiring in 2021.

His iconic catchphrases were merely a small hook for one of the greatest broadcasters to call a hockey game. His voice cut through the noise, and his ramped cadence was nearly perfect foreshadowing for the big moments to come, leaving listeners and viewers on the edge of their seats until the teams reached the pinnacle of the action.

Read More: Before Stanley, Mario & Sidney, Penguins Fans Had Mike Lange

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby also made a statement as he prepared to lead Canada against the U.S.

“Mike made such an impact on the Penguins organization and me personally as a player. He welcomed me to Pittsburgh. It was the little things like words of encouragement at my stall after the media had left, a fist bump to acknowledge a big game or a wink for a special moment. He was so special, and I am honored to have called Mike my friend,” read Crosby’s statement.

Lange’s long-time color analyst, Phil Bourque, also tweeted a short, stirring tribute to his close friend and broadcasting mentor.

Mario Lemieux also paid his respects with a statement.

“Mike was a Penguins legend and one of the most important figures in franchise history. It was my honor to have him call virtually every goal in my career and play a key role in all five of our Stanley Cup championships. Mike was a one-of-a-kind broadcaster, a tremendous ambassador for the city of Pittsburgh, and, most importantly, a great friend. He will be missed.”

As a child, former Penguins broadcaster Steve Mears idolized Lange. Mears moved on to take the TV broadcasting job in Columbus this season, but he, too, paid tribute to his mentor.

Pittsburgh native and former national talk show host Scott Ferrall, who also did play-by-play for the Atlanta Thrashers, tweeted several tributes to his long-time friend.

Long-time Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown paid tribute, as well.

John Shannon was forever part of Hockey Night in Canada as the bedrock reporter dishing scoops. On the most iconic hockey program, Shannon built a long reputation of quality.


Accolades and stories poured in from all corners of the hockey world. From fellow play-by-play broadcasters whom Lange helped to the national desk broadcasters. And we’ll conclude with one of our favorite homages, an open letter from Penguins public address announcer Ryan Mill:

Feb. 20, 2025

Mike Lange will always be Pittsburgh Penguins hockey.

He was the singular voice that breathed life and personality into a fledgling franchise in the 1970s and 80s.

My dad was a beat writer for the Beaver County Times in the Penguins’ first years. Bob Mill introduced me to hockey, and Mike Lange brought hockey to life.

You could take all the catchphrases from his arsenal, and Mike would still be the best storyteller on the radio.

Now commonplace, he was the first play-by-play man to start each period telling you which way the Pens were skating “on your radio dial.” For the next 20 minutes, Mike’s words painted a picture, so you better know which way to look.

On my first day on the job as the Penguins’ Public Address Announcer, Mike pulled me aside in the seats of the Mellon Arena, and for one of the best hours of my life, he gave me advice. The subjects ranged from life to hockey, dealing with management, to being true to myself.

The seven-year-old me listening to games from the back seat of my dad’s car in the 1970s, the 17-year-old me running the radio board on game nights in the 80s, and the then 37-year-old me that was to fill in for an ailing legend, John Barbero, in 2009 — were all losing their collective minds.

Mike didn’t need to spend the time. It wasn’t his responsibility, but he knew I needed help and a friend.

I would love to say Mike and I grew close, but that wasn’t our relationship. He was quick to help or give a pat on the back, but Mike was an enigma. For as gregarious as he was on the air, he was as reserved off of it.

Performing at that level, three hours a game, 80+ times a year, for 46 years — Mike earned his quiet time.

Over the last few years, his presence has been missing on the Mike Lange Media Level. I expect it to be even more so on Saturday afternoon and for some time.

Mike Lange’s memory—and all those catchphrases that propped up a franchise for a decade and a half before Mario arrived to lend a hand—is a legacy that will outlive us all.

Rest easy, Mikey. Wherever you are, I hope the beer is cold and the chicken is cordon bleu.

I am forever grateful,

Millsy

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