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Doc Emrick joins NBC/Versus as full-time play-by-play man

Doc Emrick

Doc Emrick is a man we’ve all gotten to know and appreciate as the main play-by-play voice during the Stanley Cup playoffs on Versus and NBC over the last few years as well as from his time calling games for the New Jersey Devils. While Doc is a guy that NHL fans nationally have gotten to know and hear more over the last few years, they’re going to get to hear him on a full-time basis now as Emrick has signed on to become the full-time play-by-play man for NBC/Versus and the NHL.

Emrick will be leaving his post with the New Jersey Devils as their top play-by-play man and, as always, did so by announcing with great class and respect for Devils fans that have enjoyed his work over the past 21 years with a warm and thoughtful letter shared on the Devils website.

To the marvelous fans of the New Jersey Devils:

A good friend advised me several years ago that before any major decision, you should look in the mirror and look at your birth certificate.

Since my contracts with MSG, VERSUS, and NBC all expired late this spring, this was another of those times. I discovered that the birth certificate couldn’t be changed and it showed me to be 65 in a few days.

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have been able to spend 23 incredible years with the MSG Network channels and 21 equally enjoyable years--including 3 Stanley Cup championships--with the New Jersey Devils. However, considering the long-term significance of this decision, I was able to construct a lighter regular season-schedule and the usual complement of Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final games for NBC and VERSUS.

But that assurance of less travel and fewer games has regrettably led me to end my association with the MSG Network channels and the Devils.

The people at both of these organizations have been incredibly loyal to me and have been very patient waiting until mid-summer for me to reach this decision. Both have also provided me only positive memories, support, and encouragement over these many seasons.

I wanted Devils fans to know of this news quickly after I reached the decision since their kindness to my wife Joyce and me on countless occasions brought us so much joy. Candidly, it has also left me with a sense of regret that I will not be continuing to call the team’s games.

Words in prepared statements like these usually read very cold. Despite that, I hope you will sense how much I have enjoyed being around you and the team. This seemed the best way to get this news to you in the middle of the off-season.

I wish MSG Network and the Devils and Devils fans nothing but the greatest success in the years to come.

With Great Appreciation,


Doc

Emrick’s storied broadcast career has seen him become the voice of the NHL in the United States and his call of the game is often the highlight of any broadcast he’s a part of. Having him become the full-time lead voice for NBC and Versus helps further the strength of having not only a great broadcaster, but one with a wealth of knowledge on the game take the reins.