mfitz804 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 As a young Devils fan, I was not happy to learn that Gary Thorne would be leaving our broadcasts. He was the voice I knew. Then Doc arrived and I realized what calling a hockey game should sound like. Doc and Chico were a near perfect team in my opinion, and I still miss them calling the games. Enjoy retirement Doc, and thanks. NY Post 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dan 56 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 I'm really happy for Doc. I'm sure I'm not the only one who grew up with Doc as the voice of the Devils. We were very lucky since he called a lot of national games too and we got to hear our guy call our team in the playoffs and finals a few times. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dan 56 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 For some reason this one always stuck out for me, Odelein hitting the post during all this chaos and Doc calling it with disbelief 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfitz804 Posted October 19, 2020 Author Share Posted October 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, Devil Dan 56 said: For some reason this one always stuck out for me, Odelein hitting the post during all this chaos and Doc calling it with disbelief 100%, that’s a classic Doc call. “HIT THE POST WITH THE SHOT!!”, remember it like it was yesterday. Apologies to Lyle who probably doesn’t like reliving that one lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimaira_Devil_#9 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Not one of the best. THE best there was. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guadana Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) This may sound selfish, but it means as much to me as it does to you. May be more but in absolutely other way. I rooted for the team for a very long time with the help of small newspaper articles. Sometimes it turned out to meet games on TV if I was lucky(there worked Russian commentators and they didn’t do well) or when we met parents friends in their house, they had Sputnik tv, where I watched my first games on english. I finally got the Internet, the first thing I did, besides porn, was watching devils games live. His voice was the first, he was like a father who told stories. admittedly, he was a great storyteller. thanks, Doc, for magic of my memories. And good luck. Edited October 19, 2020 by Guadana 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglejelly Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Love how his voice cracked up on this call 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Long live Doc! Enjoy retirement GOAT. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagknife Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) 15 minutes ago, eaglejelly said: Love how his voice cracked up on this call Same crack here, I remember this one thinking we were gonna win gold... Thanks, Ryan Miller... All but 2 of my Devils memories have Doc calling them in my mind (Arnott goal & the final seconds of G7 2003 being the real outliers). Hell, I still have NHL Faceoff '99 or whatever year it was cause he did the PBP. I really REALLY want the Devils to bring the Ring of Honor back and give Doc his rightful place. Edited October 19, 2020 by jagknife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 The best ever. Feel like I grew up with Doc and Chico. This is probably one of my favorites: https://youtu.be/HFDz_59XS6s 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobilly45 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Simply the best.... give him a statue at the rock 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellOnICE Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) I love Doc. I had the chance to work with him for 3 weeks everyday during the 2006 Torino games. I was a PA for the coverage in Italy, and working with him, JD, Michelleti, Bill Clement, Ferraro, Pierre, Cammi Granato and others - was one of the highlights of my college experience. Doc was always so gracious with his time. I remember running into him on the street on a day off, and he stopped me, and was so excited to have found a hockey store in Torino that sold all kinds of hockey jerseys - he collects them. Anyway - he took out his map gave me detailed directions to make sure I stopped by. I still have the Italian hockey jersey from the store. In the booth before puck drop one game, I was just sitting there and was watching him prepare before the crowd started to file in. Before every game - he would close his binder, and look at a photo of him and his wife with their dogs on the front cover. He would always take a moment to take them in. I did get him coffee once in the Torino rink, always black, he turned to me with a laugh and said "what truck stop did you get this from?" Years and years earlier - when I was probably 12 or 13 - I went with a parent (can't remember which one) to see the Devils play the Maple Leafs in Toronto. The Devils had played the night before, and so he was on our first flight to Toronto the next day. (I think it was a Saturday night game - HNIC) - anwyay, on the flight - my parent noticed Doc was there and must've said something to him. (My memory is foggy) - but I do remember he came and sat next to me for a couple minutes and chatted, I think he gave me a signed media guide (i'm not sure I still have it, or maybe in the. basement in parents place). Anyways- I love Doc and wish him nothing but amazing things. I think the pure love of the game rubbed off through his broadcasting over the years, and gave all of us so much to enjoy. I'd love to see a send off in NJ - or one more game - Detroit/NJ selfishly. Sad he had to go out without a live game. Edited October 19, 2020 by HellOnICE 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunninWithTheDevil Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 The voice of hockey. I remember around 2009 or 2010 me and my friend were wandering the concourse after a game where Patty buried a shootout goal against Toronto and we ran into Doc. He stopped to chat with us for what seemed like 45 minutes, couldn't have been a nicer guy. He signed my jersey right next to my Chico autograph. Little did I know that we would run into Chico not long after that, and he would NOT let us leave lol. Guy talks like an old lady at a hair salon. We were in the goal bar with Chico just sitting at the bar and shooting the sh!t until the ushers literally had to kick us out as they were about to close the doors for the night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SterioDesign Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 i'm surprised it hasnt been brought up already but... HENRIQUE! IT'S OVER!!!!! that call to me is just as much part of devils history as scott stevens nailing lindros, as elias making that blind pass, as brodeur scoring his first goal etc etc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aylbert Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Without a doubt, I can't read this without hearing his voice. 'The Unseen Hand...' 'and play........ continues!' 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck the Duck Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 So many of my favorite memories from my childhood had Doc on the call. I only had the chance to meet him once (on the upper level concourse at the Rock a few years back), but I felt like I knew him forever. For me, I will always remember him for his line at the end of Game 4 of the SCF vs. Detroit - "The Championship to New Jersey. The Devils win the Stanley Cup!" I was at the game live, and only heard the call Doc made that night sometime thereafter. But it still brings chills and a flood of great memories of going to games with my father that I will cherish the rest of my life. Thank you Doc for everything you've provided to the sport of hockey and us Devils fans over the years. Simply the best is the only way to describe you and your broadcasting career. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunninWithTheDevil Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 20 minutes ago, MB3 said: Chico loved, loved, loved to talk. I got into a habit in 2008 or 2009 of seeing him on the concourse between intermissions and striking up conversation. He loved to talk to fans, he loved to hear what they had to say and he loved to give his input. He remembered my name by the end of the year, and even invited my dad and I to go sing happy birthday to Stan Fischler before the game with a cake. Such a bizarre and fun memory. That was one thing I found remarkable is that when I met Chico again he actually remembered my name. fvcking stand up guy that one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dan 56 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 49 minutes ago, aylbert said: Without a doubt, I can't read this without hearing his voice. 'The Unseen Hand...' 'and play........ continues!' I love the old Doc-isms. A couple others that came to mind: "waffleboarded away" "meanwhile back at the ranch" And after a wild close game or overtime game... "we had them all the way" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellOnICE Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Shuffleboarded, Knifed ahead And play continues! --- when he was looking for a call is among the best. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglejelly Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 He almost lost his voice on the GWG 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicomo Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Some great stories and memories in here. I don’t have anything like that, but Doc was a big part of my Devils fandom right from the beginning. I started following this team in early 2000’s, and right away it seemed like nearly everything about the franchise was top notch. From the product on the ice itself, to the coaching, to the jerseys, the GM, and definitely the guy that called the games. I would watch broadcasts of other teams and I just didn’t like any of their guys nearly as much (especially Jeff Rimmer for CBJ who I watched a lot of). And it wasn’t even a matter of being a homer, as I had literally just started following the Devils, but Doc and Chico just made the games a little more fun than a lot of the other broadcasts that felt kind of boring in comparison. As mentioned the Doc-isms were just the absolute best. And he seemed like one of the most likable guys on the planet. I’ll miss the hell out of hearing him call games, but I hope he has a long and enjoyable retirement. Every time his Pirates beat my Reds I’ll take a little solace in the fact that at least it made Doc happy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) I mean I think I'll forever hear "HIT THE POST WITH THE SHOT" in my head when I hear the "ping" off a post. Just such a classic Doc-ism. So many great memories in this thread, thank you all for sharing. I'm regretful that my Dad and I never got the chance to really interact with him 1-on-1 - the closest I ever came was walking past him in the concourse a couple times. I always made sure to say something stupid like "You're the best, Doc" and I honestly think he found it a little embarrassing Edited October 19, 2020 by Devilsfan118 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicomo Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Good luck not getting choked up watching this... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfitz804 Posted October 19, 2020 Author Share Posted October 19, 2020 As long as we are discussing Doc-isms, how about playing games with the time remaining. More than a few people would be confused when he would announce that there were 400 seconds remaining in a period lol. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dan 56 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 32 minutes ago, Nicomo said: Good luck not getting choked up watching this... Is it dusty in here? Maybe its my allergies. Was I just cutting onions? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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