CreaseAndAssist Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Legendary voice of the Minnesota North Stars and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Al Shaver died of a sudden illness at the age of 96. I've seen a lot of people share their memories of his play-by-play over the years. Hearing him say, "He Shoots, he scores!!!" is probably my earliest memory of hockey. What are your memories of Al Shaver and his broadcasts? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllaZilla Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 I remember when the North Stars played the Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals and Jaromir Jagr appeared to spear one of the North Stars players (I can't remember who) and no penalty was called and for the rest of the broadcast Al referred to him as "Jaromir Jagr, King of the Spear!" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CreaseAndAssist Posted April 26 Author Share Posted April 26 He certainly didn't mind sharing his feelings about the team if he didn't think something was right or perhaps getting a bit sarcastic about a non-call. While that's usually shamed in today's broadcasters, I'd be happier with that than today's brown-nosing, excuse-making homers so many teams have working their broadcasts. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllaZilla Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 Off topic, but I just about did a cartwheel when I saw Jack Edwards was retiring. Jack Edwards was the worst. He even out homered Lapanta… 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icechipper Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 The best. Your North Stars skating left to right. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 1 hour ago, IllaZilla said: Off topic, but I just about did a cartwheel when I saw Jack Edwards was retiring. Jack Edwards was the worst. He even out homered Lapanta… As a bruins fan, i don't care for him all that much. Great energy and passion, and outstanding hockey knowledge but his blatant homerism made him suck to listen to sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimtown guy Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 Listened to him on our boat so many times. Made a bad day of fishing not so bad. RIP Al 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimtown guy Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 We were very spoiled as a market to have Wally, Herb and Ray painting a picture on the radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllaZilla Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 I would kill to have Al back calling the Wild broadcasts. My god that would be fun! He wouldn’t be afraid to light the team up if they were goldbricking. But unfortunately it seems that the current environment is all “rah, rah, rah, don’t criticize the team!” 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyerrod Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 16 hours ago, Brewin Flames said: As a bruins fan, i don't care for him all that much. Great energy and passion, and outstanding hockey knowledge but his blatant homerism made him suck to listen to sometimes. After years of Jack Edwards calling games for the Bruins, you are claiming someone else was more of a homer?!?!? I hated listening to that guy call games. He made Steve Coates seem impartial…..and yes I am a Flyer fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 7 hours ago, flyerrod said: After years of Jack Edwards calling games for the Bruins, you are claiming someone else was more of a homer?!?!? I hated listening to that guy call games. He made Steve Coates seem impartial…..and yes I am a Flyer fan. Actually, i was agreeing with you... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyerrod Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 1 hour ago, Brewin Flames said: Actually, i was agreeing with you... Sorry I thought you were referring to Al as a homer while ignoring Mr Edwards master class lessons on homerisms. All good home broadcasters have a little bit of homer in them just not too much. Brian Boucher is probably one of the best in the game for impartiality. Tripp Tracy is pretty good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CreaseAndAssist Posted April 28 Author Share Posted April 28 Jack Edwards had a pretty good interview on Voice Behind the Voice Podcast, especially when he talks about the day ESPN became a mockery of itself. But he seemed to not handle the criticism very well and only dug in his heels to act like a jackpipe when challenged. Glad he's retiring. BUT BACK TO THE ACTUAL topic on hand... Al Shaver lived a full life, as did Bob Cole. Both great broadcasters who were terrific at capturing the moment and adding to the atmosphere of the even without making it about them. And son Wally and grandson Jason are an outstanding legacy as hockey play-by-play men who loved the game as much as their father and grandfather did. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllaZilla Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 Wally reminded me a lot of Al when he did the U of M broadcasts with Frank Mazacco. Goldy used to be the crowd going with the weekly “Frank” “Wally” “Frank” “Wally” chanting at the Old Marriucci Arena…good times, good times… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CreaseAndAssist Posted April 28 Author Share Posted April 28 I was talking about this with my dad. Back in the KITN 29 days (Wildcat growl), Wally and Frank were great on the air and I still think peak High School Tournament was Wally on the play by play and Lou Nanne as the analyst. And that family was the ones that helped preserve was was left when the Marathon Club (that I think had the Hobey Baker) had a fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMahon 6 Posted Monday at 09:53 PM Share Posted Monday at 09:53 PM My favorite Al Shaver memory was listening to a game on the radio where Mike Modano totally undressed a Boston Bruin near the blue line, then finished with a breakaway goal. "Modano SCOOOORRRRES! Faked (I forget the Bruin's name) right off his skates... faked him right out of his helmet... faked him right out of his Bee Vee Dees..." The Met played the video clip of that goal with Al's commentary at least once a game for the brief duration of their stay in Minnesota, and it never failed to get a good chuckle. Rest in peace, Mr. Shaver, and thank you for all the memories. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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