Legendary New York Rangers play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen has announced his plans to retire after the 2024-25 NHL season.
Rosen, who just turned 77, has been with the Rangers’ broadcast team since 1982, taking over as the primary TV play-by-play announcer in the 1984-85 season, following Jim Gordon. After four decades, Rosen is ready to step down, revealing that he first started considering retirement after a surprise 75th birthday party thrown by his wife.
“Being surrounded by friends, you start thinking about how you want to conclude things,” Rosen shared during a conference call with local media on Tuesday. “I realized it’s the right time to step away while I’m still at the top of my game. My performances have been strong, and I’ve cherished every moment. As you get older, you start to miss time with your family.”
Rosen also expressed his gratitude toward the fans, saying, “They’ve been wonderful and so encouraging. I’ve come to understand the impact I’ve had on people, and now it’s time to say thank you and wrap it all up. Everyone at the Garden and the network agrees that this will be a grand finale, and I’m hoping the Rangers have a big season to close it out.”
Born in Germany and raised in Brooklyn during the 1950s and 1960s, Rosen grew up a fan of the New York Yankees, Knicks, Giants, and Rangers. His broadcasting career began as Marv Albert’s backup with the Knicks in the late 1970s before he became a staple of Rangers broadcasts. On June 14, 1994, Rosen’s voice became forever linked to Rangers history when he called their Game 7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, ending a long championship drought.
“The waiting is over!” Rosen exclaimed during the call. “The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup champions. And this one will last a lifetime!”
Although the series was aired nationally on ESPN, 1994 was the last year that local broadcasters could produce their own coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals, allowing Rangers fans to hear Rosen’s iconic call.
“For me, that call was deeply personal,” Rosen reflected. “It was something that would last my lifetime. Regardless of how many more they might win, that moment would always be special to me. And I’m hopeful that maybe we’ll end this season with another one.”
Andrea Greenberg, President and CEO of MSG Networks, announced that Rosen will be honored throughout his final season as the Rangers’ lead play-by-play announcer.
“Sam has been a vital part of Rangers broadcasts for over 40 years, and he will always be a cherished member of our MSG Networks family,” Greenberg said. “We’re excited to celebrate Sam throughout the upcoming season.”
A replacement for Rosen has not yet been named, though radio announcer Kenny Albert is considered a strong candidate if he’s interested. However, Albert already has a busy schedule as TNT’s lead NHL announcer, in addition to his NFL and MLB duties with Fox. Don La Greca, who often fills in for Albert, could potentially take over as the Rangers’ full-time radio voice.
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