Giving Doc Emrick his due…
This morning felt like a ton of hockey bricks hit all at once. It has been a long and storied history for the broadcaster. His most cherished moments personally stem from Emrick’s days as a New Jersey Devils broadcaster.
His second stint ended in 2011 as the Hall Of Fame caller of games moved fully to NBC Sports. However, it is his call of New Jersey’s first Stanley Cup on Fox in 1995 that probably garners all those goosebumps for every fan of the Devils.
For every fan or media member in the mid-1990’s, that Devils team was truly special. For myself personally, the first is always the sweetest. Given what happened the year before in 1994, there was a pain that most can relate to when it comes to one’s favorite sport team.
1995 still gives me goosebumps. It always will. This started a time where New Jersey won three times in nine years and likely was the best team in that time frame. This was a golden age for every Devils fan — much to the chagrin of much of the NHL. We embraced being the hated team because it went New Jersey was that much of a success. Doc embraced that in a more dignified manner. He always carried that class along with the right thing to say at the right time.
Then, there were the lean times up to that magical 2012 run which ended a couple games short. However, there was that iconic moment. It is well known (Courtesy of YouTube and NBC Sports Network).
Emrick went on to say later that the entire Prudential Center shook twice. Once was when Adam Henrique scored. The second time was the first “You suck” during the goal song. The only words that came to his mind were the three words uttered on the air. He epitomized what every New Jersey fan felt at that moment with a phrase that truly described a less is more thought process.
Usually, Doc had a way of words and then he would just keep drawing on that keen memory from some of his other memories.
Now, here are some of Doc’s favorite times and memories from his days involved with the NHL.
Thanks to YouTube, NBC, and NBC Sports Network.
A final word or three…
Simply, thank you Doc. Thank you. Who knows! Maybe, we will see Doc around a hockey rink or two in the future just soaking it all in. It is what he did for five decades for every NHL fan.
