Peter Maher to retire - Press Conference at 10 am on Fan960

[icarus]

So sad today. Thank you Peter for everything.

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Maher a couple years ago after a road game in Sunrise, Florida. I met him along with Rogers, Kerr and Simmer in a bar after the game where I was with a group of Flames fans. Whereas the other media guys headed off after a drink, Peter stuck around for another beer with the remaining fans and I was able to chat with him about hockey for a while. Made my entire vacation!

Having met Ed Whalen too a couple times when I was younger, I can say that Ed and Peter have more than just being legendary Flames announcers in common--they are (in Ed's case, were) both fantastic people who have/had plenty of time for fans and others around them.

We'll miss your calls Pete but enjoy your retirement, if anyone deserves some time off it's you.

EDIT: I'll just add that meeting Pete in person is the strangest thing: here you are meeting someone for the first time, but whose voice is so familiar it's like speaking to a family member or something.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

I'm surprised by the lack of speculation over whether he retired willingly or if he was pushed into it. Unless he has a health issue, it seems too sudden and, as others have noted, the lack of a farewell season is a bit puzzling.

They are saying this morning that this has been in the works for a while so it may be something he's been contemplating for a while. Hard to imagine him being pushed out as while he's no longer at the very top of his craft he's still probably better than the guy that's going to replace him.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

I'm surprised by the lack of speculation over whether he retired willingly or if he was pushed into it. Unless he has a health issue, it seems too sudden and, as others have noted, the lack of a farewell season is a bit puzzling.

Now that I think about it--and I could be making it up, I was tipsy after all--when I met Pete a couple seasons ago in Florida I think he did insinuate that the roadtrips and schedule was getting a bit tough as the years wore on. Did he mention something about health? I have a vague recollection but I don't want to start any rumours, anyway I did at that time come away thinking his retirement wasn't too far off.

[J pold]

Damn this sucks. Over the past year few years I have been listening to the radio over watching on the TV. I have come to really enjoy Peters full game play by play and while he has slipped a bit in old age he is still a world class talent who will be sorely missed.

Best of luck in the next chapter of your life Mr. Maher.

[KPJ]

All the best Pete. Amazing career.

[Huntingwhale]

Sad news. Some of my best childhood memories was of me lying in bed, long after my bedtime, listening to Maher call Flames games well into the night. Including some gems in 1994 game 7 vs Van and 1995 game 7 vs SJ. Maher on 66CFR late at night followed by the hot stove lounge, will forever be a part of my childhood. I'm glad he made it into the HHOF and wish him nothing but the best. End of an era, indeed.

[Mango]

Mr. Maher is a special man. It isn't just his great on-air product, it is everything he's done as a member of the Calgary community for the last three decades. He's been at every charity event, made time for everyone, gave back to broadcasting students and has promoted the Flames organization with such pride. He is an absolute class act.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

You're right it is different. Reporting that the coaching is going to be fired before a playoff game is much worse.

Worse for the people involved, I agree. But also, that's part of the job if you a coach in a professional league. Also, part of your job if you are report of that league to report if you hear something about the team...............letting the world know about another broadcasters career is not part of your job if you cover the Flames.

[dustyanddaflames]

I can't help but laugh at that sound bite of him falling off his chair and then jumping right back into the play-by-play trying to hold his laughter inside. That call always gets me, and just shows how Peter was always able to put his ego to the side.

Peter was a true professional at his job, and did nothing short of an amazing job at portraying to the listener how the game visually appeared. Often I would just close my eyes listening to Peter, and visualize the game playing out on the ice. So much raw emotion in his game calls, game 6 vs Detroit/San Jose in 2004 will always bring a smile to my face due to Peter's call of the game.

Being a farmer, I always looked forward to Flames games on the radio, as AM radio only offer's so much. Peter, you made the daily grind of farming bearable, and I want to wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors. You have created so many lasting memories for myself, and it's a shame that my children won't be able to listen to a legend such as yourself. Your unbiased call of the game is something this game will sorely miss, but I thank you for your time and service, and know it was a privilege for us fans to have you around as long as we did.

#YeahBaby

[manwiches]

Damn it... that Detroit call made me tear up. I remember that call so vividly. Oh my god...

[Ruttiger]

Always sad when a voice of our youth calls it a day. I went through it a few years back when Rod Phillips hung up his mic as the Oilers radio voice.

Don't have to be a Flames fan to appreciate the professionalism and passion that Maher brought for so many years. A well deserved retirement for a classy individual. All the best Pete.

[MissTeeks]

“@CCtsn: Stick tap to Peter Maher on his outstanding broadcasting career. #Flames fans got to listen to one of the greats for over 3 decades. #YaBaby”

“@DarrenDreger: Worked with Peter Maher during the 05 World Hockey Champs in Austria. Such a pro. Great voice. Great anticipation. Great man. Cheers, Peter.”

[Tyler]

Many memories flooding through my head of me huddled under the covers listening to Flames radio broadcasts on my AM Walkman and hearing Peter Maher's calls in the early 90's.

Congrats on an amazing career and all the best Pete!

[Vinny01]

Congrats Pete. Hearing the call when Gelinas scored in game 6 against the Wings will always be in my memory. All the best to one of the best

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Worse for the people involved, I agree. But also, that's part of the job if you a coach in a professional league. Also, part of your job if you are report of that league to report if you hear something about the team...............letting the world know about another broadcasters career is not part of your job if you cover the Flames.

The guy who broke it doesn't cover the Flames. He works for Breakfast Television, his job is to report things of interest to Calgarians. As proved by the emotional responses in this thread he did something that was apart of his job.

[robertsfan]

I will miss him. Before NHL CenterIce I used to listen to the games on the internet and really enjoyed listening to him.

One day around November of 2000 an attractive Asian girl wearing a super tight sweater came to my door selling some kind of carpet cleaning service. She asked if she could come inside and give me a demonstration. She went on to add that she really doesn't need to demo the product for her to get credit from her company, all she had to do was just come inside and said we could actually talk about anything. My response, "I can't, I'm going to listen to the Flames / Oilers game on the internet".

I'll never forget his "The Contempa Carpets time of the winning goal..." or "You can put it in the win column" calls.

[Flame On]

Hasn't Calgarypuck organized giant cards from us here in the past? Anyway we can do that again? (No clue as to how it was done)

[Hockeyguy15]

Francis can suck an egg for all I care. Maher is all class and deserves all the coverage he can get. It's nice to have a heads up so all the fans can tune in and hear all about the voice of the Flames.

Francis no one will care when you retire, stop being jealous and let Maher have the spotlight.

[CaptainCrunch]

Wow so many memories over the last 30 years.

When the Flames first moved to town, and I would take my Ridgeback out for his walk in the minus 30 weather waiting for the beast to poop while listening to the Flames on a watch radio with terrible mono sound that fuzzed out whenever I swung my arm wrong.

Listening to the games late at night under the covers and being able to see the game play out in my head.

The jubilant call when the Flames won the cup.

Turning down the sound on the TV and turning on Pete, and not caring about the delay between radio and T.V.

You can put it in the win column, it just doesn't get more epic then that.

Hearing Lanny's 500'th goal, hearing Iggy's first and last goals as a Flames.

Hearing Pete's emotion when he found out that Iggy was traded.

I don't know, its always tough to say goodbye to an icon, maybe this is the best time, lately it seems that Pete is having some trouble keeping up to the play, but that's going to happen after 30 years of aging. But maybe in his mind its the best time to go, this is the first real rebuild that this team has done, and the culture of the team is changing to an very young group, and maybe Pete thinks its time to put a new voice to the core.

Great journey's always begin with one step, in Pete's case with the first "Live from the Stampede Corral, its the Flames and the Quebec Nordiques. Its fitting that it ends like this as he passes the torch. No good bey tours, no last forced Yeah Baby.

[jg13]

Calgary Flames ‏@NHLFlames 2m
Today's Peter Maher press conference will be streamed live at 10:00 AM MST on http://CalgaryFlames.com & the #Flames app!