Mike Tirico tells aspiring broadcasters to take chances and get out of their comfort zone.
On Wednesday night, Tirico took his own advice.
Tirico called his first NHL game on NBCSN when the Detroit Red Wings played host to the Chicago Blackhawks. Hall of Famer Mike “Doc” Emerick, NBC’s lead hockey play-by-play man, had some words of wisdom about working alongside analyst Eddie Olczyk.
Doc had some advice that he forgot to share with @miketirico ahead of his debut in the booth! ? pic.twitter.com/3jbgATXLEr
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 21, 2019
Here was Tirico’s call on the first goal of the game.
The first goal of the Mike Tirico hockey play-by-play era. pic.twitter.com/Q5A7bszMmr
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) February 21, 2019
Tirico has announced NFL and NBA games. He has done play-by-play on NCAA football and basketball. He has called the PGA tour and the LPGA tour, among others. He has been a part of the network’s NHL coverage during the past year. He hosted two games of last year’s Stanley Cup Final as well as this year’s NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame and the All-Star Game in San Jose. He will be the host of NBC’s inaugural Indianapolis 500 coverage in May.
In Wednesday’s game, the Red Wings came back from 4-1 down to send the game to overtime. Patrick Kane scored for the Blackhawks in overtime.
Here are some of Tirico’s other goal calls, including the game-winner.
The @DetroitRedWings wanted to get in on the fun too!
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 21, 2019
We're tied!
Stream this one here: https://t.co/MIaNf7oJlP pic.twitter.com/zqnQlLaVVb
33 goals, and counting for the hometown kid, @Brinksy97!
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 21, 2019
Presented by @HockeyvilleUSA pic.twitter.com/I5cM29tu82
That's ✌️ for @Dylanlarkin39 tonight!
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 21, 2019
This one isn't over yet.
Stream it here: https://t.co/MIaNf7oJlP pic.twitter.com/HffOCAm6r2
WE ARE TIED!
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 21, 2019
The @DetroitRedWings bury the equalizer.
Stream the ending of this one here: https://t.co/MIaNf7oJlP pic.twitter.com/LjQkpeyzdb
The game-winner!
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 21, 2019
A memorable call from @miketirico in his first NHL game. pic.twitter.com/3oV3k5F7sw
And in the ever-critical Twittersphere, Tirico was well-received.
Let’s just find a new sport for Mike Tirico to call every week. He’s rolling on this NHL broadcast.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) February 21, 2019
Mike Tirico making his first NHL call sound far more effortless than the rest of us pretend it is. #respect
— Chris Cuthbert (@CCtsn) February 21, 2019
Ann Arbor resident @miketirico is on his first NHL broadcast. Cool of @umichhockey’s Dylan Larkin to score for some hometown vibe. pic.twitter.com/9R3n6SkE3r
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) February 21, 2019
Mike Tirico was absolutely flawless tonight. Well done! #NHL #Broadcasting #Debut
— Clint Serna (@CSerna0416) February 21, 2019
Unreal Tirico can just step in and call an NHL game as well as he did tonight. Great call.
— Ricky (@RLoveTheThird) February 21, 2019
There is not enough that can be said about Mike Tirico's professionalism. He did an incredible job tonight. @NHLonNBCSports please keep him around!
— George Thomas (@WhattaNerd) February 21, 2019
