In what spells bad news for hockey fans, NBC Sports has announced that the best play-by-play man in the NHL, Mike Emrick will miss tomorrow’s NHL Winter Classic.
EMRICK TO MISS WINTER CLASSICCHICAGO -- Dec. 31, 2008 -- Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike "Doc" Emrick will be unable to call tomorrow's NHL Winter Classic due to laryngitis. Dave Strader, who is the play-by-play voice of the Phoenix Coyotes and has also worked for NBC Sports, will fill in for Emrick.
"Last year's game was a lifetime memory and I couldn't wait to call this year's game at Wrigely," said Emrick. "I'm extremely disappointed but I know Dave will do a wonderful job."
NBC's coverage of the Winter Classic begins at 1 p.m. ET tomorrow, New Year's Day. Last season's inaugural U.S. outdoor NHL event was the highest rated regular season NHL game in the United States in more than a decade.
Dave Strader is competent, but Mike who did last year’s Classic is the best at what he does. It’s too bad he won’t be there to call the game.
