Sam Rosen’s retirement announcement has left a hole in the hearts of many New York Rangers fans. For over three decades, Rosen’s distinctive voice echoed through Madison Square Garden, bringing an irreplaceable excitement to Rangers games.
From watching 1994 documentaries and hearing his famous “The waiting is over!” proclamation during their Stanley Cup victory to his signature “It’s a power-play goal!” If the Rangers fail to win the Cup this season, I’ll never forgive them for not winning one while Sam Rosen was the voice of the Rangers; but at least I can have AI sound like Sam while they lower me into my grave.
The Voice of My Childhood
Sam Rosen’s journey to becoming the voice of the New York Rangers began in Brooklyn. Growing up as a sports enthusiast, he attended numerous Rangers games and practiced his play-by-play skills by recording himself. This early passion laid the foundation for his future career.
Rosen’s professional journey with MSG Networks started in 1977. He initially served as a backup announcer and studio host before signing his first full-time contract in September 1982. His big break came in the 1984-85 season when he became the Rangers’ main television broadcaster. Since then, his career has spanned over four decades and he has called more than 3,000 Rangers games. An icon for those who want to be the future voices of New York sports.
Iconic Calls
Rosen’s most iconic call came during the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, a moment that ended the Rangers’ 54-year championship drought. As the final buzzer sounded on June 14, 1994, Rosen’s voice echoed through Madison Square Garden: “The waiting is over! The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup Champions! And this one will last a lifetime!” This call has since become etched in New York sports history, capturing the euphoria of millions of fans. Not even being alive, I get goosebumps every time.
Rosen has reflected on this moment, saying, “For me, it was more of a personal call than anything else. It would last my lifetime. No matter what happened, if they won three more, no more, five more.” The spontaneity of the call added to its authenticity, as Rosen admitted he hadn’t planned what to say if the Rangers won.
Rosen himself acknowledges the profound connection he has fostered with New Yorkers, stating, “Rangers fans are the best in the world, and to be able to be in their living rooms for so long talking about the team they love has been the privilege of a lifetime.” Hopefully he knows how much fans love him back.
His simple yet distinctive phrase, “It’s a power-play goal!” will still be echoed after his retirement. Rosen’s unique inflection when delivering this line has made it a staple of Rangers games, eagerly anticipated by fans especially with how great the Rangers power play has been.
Legacy
Although I never heard him call the Rangers winning the Cup, Rosen still peppered our generation with a fair share of memorable calls that have become part of Rangers lore. In the 2015 NHL Eastern First Round, he excitedly proclaimed, “The Rangers win! Rangers win! They win the series four games to one!” as the team defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins. Another standout moment came in 2013 when Ryan Callahan scored an overtime goal to secure a playoff spot, prompting Rosen to exclaim, “Captain Callahan comes through!”
Rosen’s was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016; As he prepares for his final season, the Rangers organization and fans alike are poised to celebrate his enduring legacy, ensuring that his impact on New York Rangers hockey will indeed “last a lifetime”.
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