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Former New York Ranger Honors Retiring Broadcaster Sam Rosen
A touching tribute unfolded at Madison Square Garden as Minnesota Wild forward and former New York Rangers player, Mats Zuccarello, paid homage to Sam Rosen, the iconic Rangers television play-by-play announcer. During Wednesday night’s warmups, Zuccarello skated onto the ice wearing a No. 40 “Rosen” jersey, celebrating Rosen’s 40th and final season as the voice of the Rangers. This heartfelt gesture underscored the deep respect for the legendary sports media figure within the hockey community.
Zuccarello’s Tribute to a Rangers Icon
Mats Zuccarello, who dedicated his initial eight and a half NHL seasons to the New York Rangers after joining as a free agent in 2010, demonstrated his enduring connection to the team and its fanbase. His wearing of the honorary jersey was captured and highlighted by MSG pregame host John Giannone, who remarked, “How cool is this, wearing No. 40 in honor of Sam Rosen for his 40th and final season in the booth. Zucc, you’re awesome.”
A League-Wide Celebration for Sam Rosen’s Illustrious Career
Throughout the current season, the 77-year-old Rosen has received accolades across the NHL, culminating in a formal pregame ceremony hosted by the Rangers at the end of March. This event formally recognized his remarkable four decades of broadcasting Rangers games, marking an era in sports broadcasting.
Commemorating Four Decades in the Broadcast Booth
Joe Micheletti, Rosen’s broadcast partner, participated in the ceremony, along with former colleagues Phil Esposito and John Davidson, who presented Rosen with a golden microphone. Reflecting on the recognition, Rosen shared his sentiments: “I’m nervous about it — to be the center of attention here in this building, a building that I’ve been coming to since it opened in ’68, when we had the gondola as our broadcast location. I’ve felt the crowds. I’ve felt the building shake. I remember a Billy Joel concert on New Year’s Eve, and I said to my wife at the time, ‘If the Rangers ever win the Cup, it’s going to be just like this — and even better.’ And in ’94, that was the greatest moment.”
Rosen fondly recalled the Rangers’ Stanley Cup victory in 1994 as his pinnacle moment, particularly calling Game 7 in their home arena: “To do a Game 7 in your home building, for the team that I’ve rooted for all my life, and to call that game, it can’t get any better than that.”
Reunion Broadcast on the Horizon
Fans can anticipate a special broadcast as Rosen and John Davidson, who previously partnered in the booth from 1986 to 2006, are set to reunite. They will call the NHL on TNT game between the Rangers and Flyers on April 9th, providing a nostalgic moment for long-time viewers of hockey broadcasting.