New York, NY (June 2, 2016) – The NHL Broadcasters’ Association announced today that Sam Rosen of MSG Networks will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.
Rosen has been the play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers on MSG Network since 1984. On June 14, 1994 his exclamation of “This one will last a lifetime!” joined the pantheon of famous play-by-play calls and will be celebrated forever by the nearly two million Rangers fans that tuned in that evening to watch the Rangers clinch the Stanley Cup for the first time in 54 years. One of the most knowledgeable and thorough play-by-play personalities in hockey, Rosen has called games alongside some of the sport’s greatest analysts. He worked with Hall-of-Famer Phil Esposito during his first full-time season in the booth and then joined former Rangers goaltender John “J.D.” Davidson at the start of the 1986-87 season, forming a duo that would stay together for 20 years. He now shares the booth with Joe Micheletti, who joined him at the beginning of the 2006-07 season.
“Sam is one of the most respected and cherished broadcasters in the country,” said Andrea Greenberg, president and chief executive officer, MSG Networks. “His remarkable calls for the New York Rangers will ‘last a lifetime’ and we couldn’t be more thrilled for Sam to achieve this wonderful and well deserved recognition.”
Joe Micheletti added, “Congratulations to Sam on this incredible honor from the Hockey Hall of Fame! He is so deserving of this. Thirty-three years as the voice of the New York Rangers and his passion and enthusiasm for his job is still at the very top.”
Named in honor of the late “Voice of Hockey” in Canada, the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association in recognition of members of the radio and television industry who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to the game of hockey.
Rosen will receive his award at the “Hockey Hall of Fame NHL Media Awards Luncheon” in Toronto on Monday, November 14, 2016 and his award plaque will be displayed in the Esso Great Hall at the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside past award recipients. Bob Verdi will receive the 2016 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism.