MSG Networks today announced a full slate of commemorative programming honoring the 40-year career of Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen, who will be feted on March 22nd at Madison Square Garden prior to the Rangers/Canucks game. This special programming will air beginning on March 16th and throughout the live ceremony on March 22nd.
“Sam’s distinctive voice, enthusiasm and impeccable sense timing have been the hallmark of Rangers’ hockey on MSG Networks for four decades,” said Andrea Greenberg, President and CEO, MSG Networks. “We are thrilled that Rangers fans will be able to celebrate Sam, his exceptional career, and the special memories that he’s provided to hockey fans for all these years.”
Tributes will start pouring in from current and former Rangers stars on Sunday, March 16th during the Rangers/Oilers game on MSG Networks, and will run all week during MSG Networks’ slate of games. Following the conclusion of the Rangers post-game show on March 16th, MSG Networks will premiere “Sam’s Day in the Life” feature, where MSG Networks cameras followed Sam for a full day to get a peek at his game-day routine.
On March 22nd, MSG will televise the pregame ceremony and will honor Sam throughout the entirety of its game coverage, and will premiere the “Sam Rosen Interview Special,” a 30-minute show hosted by John Giannone that includes interviews with Joe Micheletti and former broadcast partner John Davidson. The special will debut immediately following the Rangers postgame show.
Rosen, who announced in August 2024 that the 2024-25 campaign would be his last in the booth, has been calling Rangers hockey since 1984. The words he uttered on June 14, 1994 – “This one will last a lifetime!” – will be celebrated forever. Rosen has won four New York Emmy Awards for MSG Networks’ Rangers coverage. Named the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner in 2016, Rosen is a member of both the Hockey Hall of Fame and the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame. This past October, the NHL named Rosen the recipient of the 2024 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Rosen also called football games for the NFL on FOX for 23 seasons (1997 – 2019) and games for NHL Radio for 13 years (1996 – 2008), including 12 Stanley Cup Finals.