Devils TV Play-By-Play Broadcaster Steps Down After 11 Seasons By Matt Blittner, The New York Extra/TheNYExtra.com
Searching for a new Television Play-by-Play announcer wasn’t supposed to be on the Devils’ off-season shopping list. A new goalie? Sure. A couple of new coaches? Yes, indeed. Some more talent and grit throughout the roster? Yes, please.
But a new voice calling every second of Devils games on television for MSG networks? No, that wasn’t part of the plan; not the public plan anyway.
Monday evening May 17, 2022, Steve Cangialosi made it official that he is stepping down from his post as Devils TV Play-by-Play announcer. Before any of you start speculating about the departure, you should know that it is Cangialosi’s well-earned choice after 11-seasons on the microphone for the Devils.
Sure, there’s rumors flying that Cangialosi was perhaps burnt out from his exhaustive schedule of hockey and soccer. There are also rumors that he wants to focus more on his soccer opportunities. If those rumors have any bit of truth to them, Cangialosi isn’t saying. Nor does he have to. He will be staying at MSG Networks as the voice of Red Bulls soccer telecasts, but his days with the Devils are over.
In a statement released by Cangialosi via MSG Networks, he said, “The New Jersey Devils are a first class organization, and it was a privilege to serve as the voice of the club for 11 seasons, and to be affiliated with Devils’ hockey on MSG Networks for 16 years. Memories and friendships I’ve made with our terrific MSG Devils’ crew, and of course, the fans, will last even longer and for that I am grateful.”
Devils fans weren’t ready for this. When Mike “Doc” Emrick stepped down from calling the Devils to further pursue his national broadcasting opportunities, Cangialosi stepped in and didn’t miss a beat. The difference then was Devils fans had seen Emrick do national broadcasts for years and they knew it was only a matter of time before he left them; although, the good-bye was still painful.
This time around, a majority of people were caught by surprise by Cangialosi’s announcement, even though rumors regarding his potential departure quietly began to make their rounds the last couple of weeks.
Now that it’s official the question becomes who might succeed him? Alan Fuehring, the current Play-by-Play voice for the Bridgeport Islanders in the AHL is rumored to be in the mix. He has filled in for Brendan Burke on Islanders telecasts from time to time and is familiar with how things are done at MSG Networks. But only time will tell if he or somebody else gets the gig.
For now let’s focus on the man of the evening, Steve Cangialosi. He will be missed, not only by Devils fans, but by those in the media who have gotten a chance to know him over the years.
I will always be grateful for our chats during dinner prior to Devils games that ranged in topic from hockey, to soccer, to pretty much anything. And I will forever be grateful to Cangialosi for taking the time to be part of my second career book, “Unforgettable NJ Devils: Games and Moments From The Press Box, Ice and Front Office.” Red Bulls fans, you have yourselves one terrific broadcaster; make sure you treat him well.
How about Matt Loughlin moving from radio to TV?