Off Mike : How a Kid From Basketball-Crazy Indiana Became America's NHL Voice

"Emrick loves stories and loves to tell them. Yesterday in broadcasting. Tomorrow in book form." —Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun After nearly 50 years behind the microphone, the voice of hockey in America opens up in a must-read memoir. Mike "Doc" Emrick has seen everything there is to see in a hockey game. Sizzling slap shots. Commitment, courage, and camaraderie. Pugnacious pugilists. Game-winning goals. To hockey fans across the country, his voice—and vocabulary—have become synonymous with the game they love. In Off Mike, Doc takes readers back to the beginning, detailing how a Pittsburgh Pirates fan from small-town Indiana found himself in the wild world of professional hockey, calling games for the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, and finally NBC. He's covered All-Star Games, Stanley Cup Finals, the Olympics, and everything in between, rubbing shoulders with hockey's immortals both on and off the ice. Yet Doc's life has had its share of ups and downs, from almost leaving behind the love of his life to the passing of beloved companions to personal health scares. After years of being welcomed into our homes, in this autobiography Doc welcomes us into his, revealing the stories, wit, and wisdom that have made him one of the most beloved figures in sports. Millions Of Fans Have Enjoyed His Infectious Enthusiasm, Insight, And Storytelling On Regular Television Broadcasts, Through Moments Of Triumph And Defeat. Now, In This Striking Autobiography, The Longtime Broadcaster Takes Fans Behind The Mic As Only He Can. Emrick's Love For Hockey Is Obvious To Anyone Who's Heard Him Call A Game, And It's Multi-layered. Tradition. The Stanley Cup Chase. Suspense. Passion. Teamwork. History. Handshakes. An Endless List. Yet It's The People He Treasures Most Of All, And Doc Has More Than His Fair Share Of Stories From Countless Interactions--more Than He's Even Been Able To Tell During Four Decades In The Broadcast Booth. Through Both His Early Life And His Unparalleled Career, Readers Will Meet The Full Cast Of Characters Who Have Made Their Mark On The Man Who's Voice Has Defined The Hockey Experience For So Many. Equal Parts Riveting And Hilarious, This Memoir Gives Fans A Rare Seat Alongside Emrick And Serves As A Profound Ode To The Sport Of Hockey. "Autobiography of hockey announcer Mike "Doc" Emrick"-- Provided by publisher