By: Joey Partridge | Follow Me On Twitter @joey_partridge
It is a sad day in the hockey community as hockey broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick has called it a career. In his 47-year career, he has made the sport of hockey that much better on television. He has made historical moments in the sport standout that much more. In his illustrious career, Doc has called over 3,750 professional hockey games and has done the play by play in the last 22 Stanley Cup Finals.
This is an unusual retirement. You tend to think of hockey players as the main event, with all due respect, but Doc calling it a career is an emotional one. Whenever you found out a game was on NBC or NBCSports, and you heard those famous Doc intros, you knew a great three hours were in front of you. Doc called the games with such passion and energy that it was quite frankly, electric.
After 3,750+ Professional and Olympic hockey games, 100 different verbs used to describe a pass or shot, and 22 Stanley Cup Finals, the legendary Mike “Doc” Emrick has announced his retirement from broadcasting.
— #ThankYouDoc (@NHLonNBCSports) October 19, 2020
From hockey fans around the world, we say #ThankYouDoc! pic.twitter.com/Pt27Dp63TW
I felt it was only right to celebrate Doc’s career by going over some of his best calls in the Bruin’s games that he has done and some of my personal favorites too. The Bruins have been to three Stanley Cups in the last decade, so he has had some meaningful calls.
The Eastern Conference Finals in 2011 against the Tampa Bay Lightning was an emotional rollercoaster of a series. Tyler Seguin burst onto the scene scoring three goals in the first two games of that series. His two goals in Game 2 of that series left us with these electric calls.
Every Bruins fan has to remember the biggest goal from this series, right? Game 7, Mr. Clutch, Nathan Horton scoring the game-winner in the third period, was an absolute electric moment in Bruins history. It only fits that Doc was on the call and made his mark on the play.
In more recent memory, one of my all-time favorite Doc Emrick calls is actually one from this past regular season before the pandemic shutdown. It was a nationally televised showdown against the New York Rangers. David Pastrnak made his way through the Rangers defense and fed David Krejci for the overtime winner. The way Doc called this play, along with the TD Garden faithful going nuts, it is a goosebumps moment for sure.
The next two are some of the more electric calls that you will ever hear, and they both come from the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoff run. The first one comes in the Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. Remember when the Bruins were only up by one in the third period, and Sean Kuraly made his way through the offensive zone and gave the Bruins some insurance? Well, Doc left his mark on the goal.
Alright, one last one, shall we? This one comes from Game one of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. Charlie McAvoy weaved through the St. Louis Blues penalty killers and snuck one past Jordan Binnington to tie the game at two. The mixture of TD Garden going crazy and that famous Doc voice crack makes this moment very special.
As I mentioned earlier, this retirement shouldn’t be this hard. I personally grew up listening to Emrick since I was a kid. He played a huge part in me going to college in the major that I am in, to be like him, and to call hockey games. He is a true role model to me, and many, and hockey will, for sure, miss him. Enjoy retirement Doc; you were the best to do it.
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