The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the most successful franchises in the NHL, with 5 Stanley Cup championships since 1991. A key part of the fan experience at Penguins games is listening to the commentary and analysis provided by the color announcer. So who is the current color announcer for the Penguins?
History of Penguins Broadcasters
The Penguins have been blessed with some excellent broadcasters over their history, providing great commentary for fans unable to attend games in person. Here’s a quick overview of the main play-by-play and color announcers for the Penguins over the years:
| Years | Play-by-Play | Color Analyst |
|---|---|---|
| 1967-1970 | Bob Prince | None |
| 1970-1974 | Bob Prince | Sam Nover |
| 1974-1975 | Sam Nover | Terry Schaus |
| 1975-1976 | Sam Nover | Jean Pronovost |
| 1976-1993 | Mike Lange | Paul Steigerwald |
| 1993-2006 | Mike Lange | Paul Steigerwald |
| 2006-2011 | Paul Steigerwald | Bob Errey |
| 2011-2015 | Steve Mears | Bob Errey |
| 2015-Present | Steve Mears | Bob Errey |
Some of the most beloved announcers in Penguins history include Mike Lange, known for his colorful goal calls like “Scratch my back with a hacksaw!” and Paul Steigerwald, who endeared himself to fans with his passion and excitement during the Penguins’ Stanley Cup runs in the early 1990s.
Bob Errey
This brings us to the current Penguins color commentator, Bob Errey. Errey took over the role full-time starting in the 2006-07 season and has been the consistent voice alongside the play-by-play announcer for Penguins broadcasts since then.
Errey, a former NHL player himself, appeared in 573 career NHL games between 1983 and 1997, including stints with the Penguins and other teams. After retiring as a player, he joined the Penguins’ broadcast team in 2000 as a studio analyst before transitioning to the color analyst role.
Some key facts about Bob Errey:
- Drafted 15th overall by Pittsburgh in 1983
- Won 2 Stanley Cups with the Penguins as a player in 1991 and 1992
- Scored 379 points in his NHL career
- Joined Penguins broadcast team in 2000
- Took over as main color analyst in 2006
Errey’s experience both playing for and covering the Penguins gives him tremendous insight into the team. His analysis balances explaining the Xs and Os for viewers while also conveying his passion as a former player and excitement as a fan.
Errey’s Style as a Broadcaster
As the color analyst, Errey is responsible for providing the commentary, analysis, and perspective during Penguins broadcasts while the play-by-play announcer calls the live action on the ice. This requires extensive preparation before games to understand key storylines, as well as keen observation during games to provide context on the strategies, matchups and more.
Here are some of the main elements that define Errey’s approach:
Explaining Strategies and Systems
Errey excels at breaking down the systematic side of the game, explaining things like:
- Defensive coverages
- Breakouts from the defensive zone
- Power play formations
- Penalty killing tactics
- In-game adjustments by coaches
His experience as an NHL player and coach gives him unique insight into the Xs and Os at play during a game.
Highlighting Player Matchups
Errey also focuses in on individual player matchups and battles, especially when they involve star players. This helps viewers understand the one-on-one competitions that can often swing a game.
Conveying Excitement
Lastly, Errey brings energy and enthusiasm to his calls, reacting strongly to goals, big hits, and saves. He celebrates Penguins successes but also gives credit to opponents for good plays. His passion helps fans experience the emotion of the game.
Signature Calls and Quirks
In addition to his analysis, Errey has a few go-to phrases and quirks that have become synonymous with Penguins broadcasts over the years:
- “Bang-bang play!” – describing a quick sequence of events
- “Biscuit in the basket!” – when the Penguins score a goal
- “Call Arnold Slick from Turtle Creek!” – when a player makes a slick move
- “He got turned into a pretzel!” – after a particularly nasty hit or defensive play
These signature calls add color to Errey’s commentary and give fans phrases to latch on to. He has an expressive and colorful vocabulary that Sets him apart from other NHL broadcasters.
Reception Among Penguins Fans
Bob Errey’s tenure as the Penguins color commentator has earned him the distinction of being the voice of the team in the post-lockout era of Penguins hockey. Despite several play-by-play partners over the years, Errey has been the constant presence on broadcasts.
He has built a great rapport with Penguins fans thanks to his passion and knowledge of the game. Fans cite his insight, especially when explaining power plays and defensive structures, as a key benefit to understanding some of the more complex aspects of hockey.
While some observers wish he showed a bit more personality and emotion in his delivery at times, overall Errey remains a beloved figure among the fanbase, synonymous with Penguins hockey given his nearly 20 years on the broadcast team.
Conclusion
Bob Errey has established himself as an institution within the Pittsburgh Penguins broadcast booth. Providing color commentary since 2006, Errey’s experience as both a player and broadcaster covering the team gives him a wealth of knowledge to break down the game for viewers. His catchphrases like “Bang-bang play!” combined with his passion for the Penguins make him a popular broadcast voice for Penguins fans. Barring any surprise changes, Errey is poised to continue as the color analyst for many years to come as the team continues vying for Stanley Cups.
