Sam Rosen: The Legendary Voice of the New York Rangers
For four decades, one voice has defined the experience of watching the New York Rangers for millions of fans. Sam Rosen, born Samuel Rosenblum, is a titan of sports broadcasting whose career spans the most iconic moments in hockey history. From his early days as a determined student of the craft to becoming the longest-tenured active broadcaster in the NHL at the time of his retirement, Rosen's journey is a testament to passion and versatility.
Key Facts
- Primary Role: Former lead play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers on MSG.
- Career Milestone: Retired in 2025 after 40 seasons with the Rangers.
- Major Honors: Inductee of the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (2008) and the Hockey Hall of Fame (2016).
- Recent Accolade: Recipient of the 2024 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the U.S.
- Signature Call: The uniquely inflected "It's a power play goal!"
Early Life and Foundations
Sam Rosen's life began under extraordinary circumstances. He was born on August 12, 1947, in a Displaced Persons (DP) camp in Ulm, Germany, to Polish-Jewish parents who had survived the Holocaust as refugees in Russia. His family emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, when he was two years old.
Growing up in New York, Rosen developed a deep love for sports, particularly the New York Yankees. He drew inspiration from legendary broadcaster Mel Allen, which sparked his interest in play-by-play announcing. An accomplished athlete himself, Rosen served as the captain of the baseball team and played catcher at both Stuyvesant High School and the City College of New York.
The Voice of the New York Rangers
Rosen's ascent to the booth was a gradual process of mentorship and preparation. After spending years taping his own play-by-play calls and serving as a studio host from 1982 to 1984, he succeeded veteran Jim Gordon as the primary announcer for the Rangers in the fall of 1984.
His partnership with former goaltender John Davidson (J.D.) became one of the most enduring in sports history, lasting 20 years and marking the longest-serving broadcast team in the NHL. Later, Rosen partnered with Joe Micheletti starting in the 2006–07 season.
Rosen is most celebrated for his emotional calls during the Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup run, ending a 54-year drought. His call of Stéphane Matteau's double overtime goal in the Eastern Conference Finals and his final declaration, "The waiting is over! The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup Champions!", remain etched in hockey lore.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบ
Career Summary Table
| Period/Year | Organization/Award | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1984–2025 | New York Rangers (MSG) | Primary Play-by-Play Announcer |
| 1979–1988 | ESPN | Multi-sport Broadcaster |
| 1975–1981 | United Press International | Sports Director (1979) |
| 1996–2019 | NFL on Fox | Play-by-Play Announcer |
| 2016 | Hockey Hall of Fame | Foster Hewitt Memorial Award |
| 2024 | NHL | Lester Patrick Trophy |
A Versatile Broadcasting Portfolio
While synonymous with hockey, Rosen's expertise extended across the entire sporting landscape. During his tenure at United Press International (UPI), he served as Sports Director and supervised early talent, including Keith Olbermann. His workload was legendary; at one point, he reportedly held as many as 11 different roles simultaneously, including work for the New York Cosmos and WNEW-AM radio.
At ESPN, Rosen called a diverse array of events, from college football and boxing to Australian rules football and table tennis. He also spent over two decades with the NFL on Fox, calling games from 1996 through 2019, and provided play-by-play for the Chicago Bears' preseason games for nearly a decade.
His contributions to boxing were equally significant, serving as the lead boxing announcer for the MSG Network until 1993 and receiving the Sam Taub Award for excellence in boxing journalism in 1989.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sam Rosen retire?
Sam Rosen announced on August 13, 2024, that he would retire from broadcasting New York Rangers games after the 2024-25 NHL season, marking 40 years with the team.
What is Sam Rosen's most famous catchphrase?
He is best known for his unique inflection when calling a power play goal, simply stating the player's name followed by, "It's a power play goal!"
Which Hall of Fame honors has he received?
Rosen was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016 as the winner of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.
What other sports did Sam Rosen cover?
Beyond hockey, Rosen called NFL games for Fox, boxing for MSG, soccer for the New York Cosmos, and various collegiate sports and international events for ESPN and UPI.
What is the Lester Patrick Trophy?
The Lester Patrick Trophy is awarded for outstanding service to hockey in the United States; Sam Rosen was named the recipient of this honor on October 9, 2024.