A Tribute to Sam Rosen

Before the start of the NHL season, it was announced that Sam Rosen, the play-by-play voice for the New York Rangers for the last 40 years, would be retiring at the end of the 2024-25 season. 

One of the many reasons Rosen has become so beloved is that he grew up a Rangers fan. Rosen was raised in Brooklyn, NY and as a young kid was always listening to either Yankees, Giants, or Rangers games on the radio.

The Rangers announced on their website they will be honoring Rosen before their game against the Vancouver Canucks on March 22nd. The event was donned by the team as a "Salute to Sam," honoring Rosen for his 40 years of excellence. It's fitting that the game will be played against the Canucks, who the Rangers beat in 1994 to win their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

This victory will always be remembered by Rosen's famous call: "The waiting is over! The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup Champions! And this one will last a lifetime!" Those words are immortal to Rangers fans, and they have rung true in the intervening 31 titleless years. 

I wasn't alive in 1994, but every time I watch that call from Rosen, I get chills. That moment was special, and Rosen captured it beautifully. At the time, the Rangers hadn’t won a title since 1940. They had come so close many times but repeatedly failed to come through. In 1994, they finally overcame that huge obstacle, so when Rosen said, “This one will last a lifetime,” he was spot on. 

For many Rangers fans, Rosen’s voice is the only one they know. One of the best parts of a somewhat disappointing Rangers season has been seeing the outpouring of love for Rosen when the Rangers are on the road or when opposing coaches give him gifts to honor his career. Like Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour who gifted Rosen a signed jersey of his before the Rangers vs. Hurricanes game on January 28th.

But for fans like me and people who love the Rangers, it hasn't always been easy watching this year. New York went through a stretch of games where they went 4-15 and didn't win back-to-back games in over two months. It was hard to watch, but there is one thing in particular that kept me watching. And that was knowing that this is the last year for Rosen. It's important to enjoy him while he’s still in the booth because soon it will be over.

When people talk about sports announcers, sometimes you will hear, "No one watches games for the announcers." But when Rosen is on the call you do. When I think of Rosen, many things come to mind, his passion, his chemistry with his partners first John Davidson (1986-2006) and then Joe Micheletti (2006-present), and of course, the special calls. When a player on the Rangers scores a goal, you hear Rosen scream with excitement "HE SCORES!". Sam's passion, excitement, and energy are something you can feel through the screen.

However, my personal favorite is anytime the Rangers score on the power play and Rosen erupts with his classic call, saying first the name of the player who scored, followed by: "IT'S A POWER PLAY GOAL!" Anytime the Blueshirts manage to score on the man advantage is a cause for celebration. 

Rosen is more than just good with goal announcements, he is so insightful during every broadcast you can tell he does his homework and is always prepared. He loves what he does, and the way he works with another announcer is flawless.

When you go back and try to find the best Sam Rosen calls, you'll be busy because there are many memorable moments. Like when Mika Zibanejad had a 5-goal game against the Washington Capitals on March 5, 2020. Or when Artemi Panarin scored the overtime winner in Game 7 of the first round of the 2022 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins. That goal completed a series comeback, where the Rangers fought back from down 3-1; as Panarin scored Rosen screamed "He scores, he scores, RANGERS, RANGERS, RANGERS WIN!" 

Even when he is calling the games, while Rosen tries his best to stay neutral, you can feel the excitement he gets when the Rangers win. At heart, he is still that little boy who grew up a Rangers fan. This Blueshirts season has been disappointing, to say the least, and at times brutal to watch. But one thing that makes you want to tune in is knowing that this is the last ride for one of the greatest announcers in the history of sports.