Mike Lange

Mike Lange (March 3, 1948 – February 19, 2025) was an American sportscaster best known for his 46-year career as a play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Lange served as the team's play-by-play announcer in 1974 and again from 1976 to 2021. In 2001, he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster.

Career

In 1969, while attending Sacramento State University, Lange was encouraged by his friend to attend a hockey game. At the time, Lange had never attended a hockey game before.<ref name="x">Template:Cite web</ref>

From there, Lange worked in the penalty box at local arenas, coordinating the penalty time with the public address (PA) announcer. He eventually replaced the PA announcer after he asked for a raise and his play-by-play was broadcast over the college radio station.<ref name="x"/>

Lange joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as a radio announcer in 1974 after spending time as a commentator for the San Diego Gulls and Phoenix Roadrunners of the Western Hockey League.<ref name = "HOF">Template:Cite news</ref> He left the Penguins after just one season, because the team was in bankruptcy and he had no guarantee of a job. Lange called Washington Diplomats soccer games, then returned to the Penguins for the 1976–77 season, where he became the central figure of the team's broadcast presence.<ref name="x"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Josh Getzoff with Mike.jpg

Lange with Josh Getzoff in 2018

From 1976 until 2006, Lange served as the lead play-by-play announcer for the Penguins' radio and television network, never missing a broadcast.<ref name = ":1">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2001, Lange was the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 29, 2006, citing a desire to go in a new direction, Fox Sports Pittsburgh (now SportsNet Pittsburgh) did not exercise the option year on Lange's contract. He was replaced by his longtime radio partner and color commentator, Paul Steigerwald, in a move that was extremely unpopular with fans. On taking Lange's spot Steigerwald said, "I'm not going to try to replace him. I think he's irreplaceable."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On August 4, 2006, Lange signed a contract to work on Penguins' radio broadcasts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

From 1985 to 1986, he also broadcast several NHL games for ESPN that did not involve the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1986 and 1987, he also called Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games on cable television.<ref name="x"/>

Lange and then-colleague Steigerwald appeared together as themselves in the 1995 movie Sudden Death, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. In the film, Lange used many of his trademark expressions in his play-by-play commentary.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On October 8, 2019, prior to a game against the Winnipeg Jets, Lange was presented with an autographed personalized jersey to commemorate his 45th year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On August 9, 2021, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Lange would be retiring after a 46-year career with the Penguins.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life and death

Lange was born in Sacramento, California, on March 3, 1948.<ref name="AP-Obit">Template:Cite news</ref>

Lange had two sons, Tanner and Ian.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He died in his home in Pittsburgh, on February 19, 2025, at the age of 76.<ref name="AP-Obit" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• List of Pittsburgh Penguins broadcasters

External links

• Template:IMDb name
• Pens Universe Interviews Mike Lange
• The Official Mike Lange Soundboard
• The Official Mike Lange Soundboard Android app
• Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Lange has left the building