The Calgary Flames announced the passing of longtime radio voice Peter Maher on Thursday.
He was 79.
A native of Campbellton, NB, Maher spent 33 years calling every Flames games ahead of his retirement at the end of the 2013-2014 season, including the team’s lone Stanley Cup triumph in 1989 and run to the finals in 2004. Maher called 2,954 Flames games by the time he ended his career.
Maher’s memorable phrases included “Yeah, baby!” and “You can put it in the win column!”
Maher was the recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, honouring the best in hockey broadcasters, in 2006. Upon his retirement, the Flames renamed its gondola as the Peter Maher Radio Broadcast Booth in the Scotiabank Saddledome. Flames media also began handing out the Peter Maher Award, given to the Flames player who best reflected Maher’s virtues: “Sincerity, Integrity, Dedication and Respect.”
“Peter’s legacy extends well beyond the broadcast booth,” the team said in a statement. “He was a passionate ambassador for the Calgary Flames, a devoted member of the community and a person whose warmth, generosity and love for the game touched countless lives.”
He also called games outside of his Flames work, including Canada’s run at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
