Mike Emrick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike "Doc" Emrick
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Emrick in November 2014
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| Born | August 1, 1946 La Fontaine, Indiana, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Manchester University Miami University Bowling Green State University |
| Years active | 1973–2020 |
| Sports commentary career | |
| Genre(s) | Play-by-play |
| Sports | Ice hockey, American football, baseball |
Michael "Doc" Emrick (born August 1, 1946) is a retired American sportscaster. He is famous for his work as an ice hockey announcer. For many years, he was the main announcer for the National Hockey League (NHL) on the TV channels NBC and NBCSN.
Emrick has won many awards for his work. In 2004, he received the NHL's Lester Patrick Award. He was the first media person to get this honor. In 2008, the Hockey Hall of Fame gave him the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award. He also won nine Emmy Awards for being an outstanding sports broadcaster. He is the only hockey announcer to win even one. In 2011, he became the first media member to be put into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Education
Mike Emrick was born in La Fontaine, Indiana. At first, he wanted to be a baseball announcer. That changed after he went to his first hockey game on December 10, 1960. He saw the Fort Wayne Komets play the Muskegon Zephyrs. He started practicing by recording himself calling Komets games.
Emrick went to Manchester University and earned a degree in speech in 1968. He then got a master's degree from Miami University in 1969. In 1976, he earned a Ph.D. in communications from Bowling Green State University. This is why he is known by the nickname "Doc."
While studying, he taught at Geneva College. He also started his sportswriting career by covering the Pittsburgh Penguins for a local newspaper for free.
Broadcasting Career
Early Career
Emrick's professional career began in 1973. He was hired to announce games for the Port Huron Flags, a team in the International Hockey League. In 1977, he moved to the Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League. He was their announcer for three seasons.
In 1982, he became the first announcer for the New Jersey Devils. He worked with the Devils until 1986. He also worked for the Philadelphia Flyers in different roles. From 1988 to 1993, he was the main announcer for the Flyers.
In 1993, Emrick returned to the New Jersey Devils. He was their main announcer until he retired from the team in 2011. He famously called the Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup victory on national television.
National Television Work
Besides working for specific teams, Emrick was a national announcer for many TV networks. These included NBC, ESPN, Fox, and CBS. He called his first Olympic Games in 1992.
From 1995 to 1999, he was the main announcer for the NHL on Fox. He called many regular season games and the Stanley Cup Finals. After 2005, he became the lead announcer for the NHL on NBC. He called the most important playoff games and every Stanley Cup Final for the network. In total, he announced 22 Stanley Cup Finals on TV, more than any other American broadcaster.
Emrick also announced other sports. He called water polo at the Summer Olympics and some National Football League (NFL) games. He was even the announcer for the video game NHL 15.
Retirement from Broadcasting
On October 19, 2020, Emrick announced his retirement. He had been calling games from his home in Michigan because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a video, he thanked everyone and shared his love for the sport.
He said, "I still get chills seeing the Stanley Cup. I especially love when the horn sounds, and one team has won and another team hasn't, all hostility can dissolve into the timeless great display of sportsmanship – the handshake line.... I leave you with sincere thanks."
After he retired, NBC Sports aired a documentary about his amazing career.
Unique Announcing Style
Emrick was known for his exciting and descriptive way of calling games. He had a huge vocabulary and often used interesting words. For example, he might call a goalie's equipment "paraphernalia." He was also famous for his deep knowledge of hockey history and player facts.
When working with his broadcast partner Glenn "Chico" Resch, they were known for their humor. They would often make jokes to make the game more fun for viewers. One of Emrick's most famous sayings was "my goodness," which he would exclaim after an amazing play or a great save.
Many people admired his style. Sportswriter Peter King once said, "Doc Emrick is one hell of a hockey announcer."
Awards and Honors
- Nine-time Sports Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sports Personality
- 2004 Lester Patrick Trophy for contributions to hockey in the United States
- 2008 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011
- Inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2023
Personal Life
Doc Emrick lives in St. Clair, Michigan, with his wife, Joyce. They do not have children but enjoy spending time with their dogs and horses. Emrick is a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.
In 1991, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is a cancer survivor.
