Rangers fandom means learning to live with heartbreak — but also learning to appreciate the art of the handoff. The Stanley Cups may be elusive, but when it comes to passing the franchise cornerstone torch, this organization does it right. Henrik Lundqvist to Igor Shesterkin. And now? Sam Rosen & Joe Micheletti to Kenny Albert & Dave Maloney.
Sam & Joe: The Soundtrack Of A Generation
For nearly two decades, Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti were the emotional heartbeat of the franchise. Their voices reverberated through countless homes in the tri-state area. They became synonymous with comfort, class, respect and knowledge of puck.
Sam had such iconic cadence and reverence for the moment. He provided flair to every goal, every save, every heartbreak. Not only that, he’s known to be gracious and pure in his interactions with media, players, coaches and fans alike. I had the pleasure of meeting him in Toronto at Lundqvist’s HHOF induction and he was nothing short of a gem. Generous with his time, eager to converse and remarkably humble. I swear he made me feel like the bright lights of the MSG cameras were rolling and I was Joe Micheletti, about to kick it down to ice level with Michelle Gingras.
Joe, a former defenseman turned analyst, brought insight, empathy, and a quiet humility that made the broadcast feel like a living room. The fact that he chose to Irish exit his retirement in the wake of Sam’s tells you everything you need to know about the guy. Much like his prescence in the booth, he let Sam have his moment in the sun and didn’t make anything about himself. I’ll miss his “riiiiiight….there!!” catch phrase as he narrated an instant replay of a nifty move. His feel for the game was always bang on, and he knew exactly how to speak to Rangers faithful. I’ll miss him dearly.
Kenny & Dave: The Soundtrack Rolls On
And now, the baton passes! Not to strangers, but to familiar voices who’ve long been part of the Rangers’ fabric.
Entering the franchise’s centennial season (how cool is that), Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney are stepping into a legacy. For over 20 years, they’ve called Rangers games together on radio, building a chemistry that’s equal parts insight and instinct.
Turning on the radio to Dave’s spirited Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey ad read just prior to puck drop always got me fired up for Rangers hockey. His zest for the game and colorful commentary are the perfect complement to Kenny’s professionalism and focused approach. Somehow, car rides home from the mountains in the dead of winter never felt as long with the two of them entertaining and informing me through my chintzy Bluetooth device.
Sam & Joe left some seriously outsized shoes to fill but I’d be hard pressed to think of two other candidates more deserving than Kenny and Dave.
Kenny Albert: The Consummate Pro
Born Into The Booth
Put simply, Kenny Albert is a behemoth in the world of sports broadcasting. I dove into his memoir, A Mic For All Seasons, shortly after it was published in 2023 and highly recommend it to all Rangers fans and sports enthusiasts alike. It’s chock full of rich history – a window into his personal life and the insane portfolio of broadcasting he’s quietly compounded. Wayne Gretzky and Walt “Clyde” Frazier kick things off with personal forewords. Imagine getting those kinds of icons to co-sign the story of your life?
The son of broadcasting legend Marv Albert, Kenny was born into sports media royalty. Between his father and uncles Al and Steve, he immersed himself in the craft early and knew he was destined to follow in their footsteps.
His childhood on the south shore of Long Island was defined by announcing games into a tape recorder and transforming his bedroom into a makeshift radio studio. When Marv invited colleagues or athletes to the house, Kenny would intercept them for interviews. One of his earliest subjects? Rangers captain, Dave Maloney.
Jack Of All Trades
Prior to the new gig with MSG, Kenny was the only play-by-play broadcaster calling all four major North American sports – the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. His work ethic and dedication are truly second to none. The book recounts a stretch where he worked five different sports in 19 days. He’s racked up more airline miles and put in more hours of preparation than the human mind can comprehend.
Stepping in to the MSG TV booth isn’t just another stop on the journey – it’s a homecoming. His memoir is filled with vivid stories from a lifetime spent in the Rangers’ orbit over the course of many decades. Few moments capture his connection to the team more poignantly than this one:
“I loved attending games at MSG for as long as I could remember. I would usually sit with my mother – four rows behind the visitor’s bench for Knicks games and Section 54 in the corner about 15 rows off the ice at Rangers games. When I was old enough, my father would allow me to sit behind him in the radio broadcast booth. I was doing play-by-play out loud. Apparently, my audio was seeping through their microphones, and by the second period, I was relegated to my usual seat.”
Even as a kid, Kenny couldn’t help but call the game. Now, all these years later, he’s doing it for real – in the same booth where he was once a distraction.
When Preparation Meets Passion
On his Club 30 appearance hosted by Henrik Lundqvist and friend Jay Liddell, Kenny showcased exactly why he’s the man for the job. Most guests just pull up ready to chat. Kenny pulled up with his prep sheet from a Rangers game on October 10th, 2005: Lundqvist’s first career shutout.
You have to see it to believe it. The prep sheet looks like a science fair project you’d spend weeks assembling and panicking over. For Kenny, it’s the standard for every game he’s assigned to. Leading up to NFL Sundays, he puts in 30-40 hours of work for every football game he calls. Not only that, but he also admits to only using 5-10% of the content during the broadcast, letting the game dictate the story.
For fans, Kenny’s voice is already familiar. For Kenny, the job is a personal triumph. And for the franchise, it’s a seamless transition — one that honors the past while embracing the future.
Dave Maloney: The Soul of the Broadcast
Youngest Captain, Lifelong Ranger
Dave Maloney is a bonafide New York Rangers legend. Drafted 14th overall in 1974, he became the youngest captain in team history at just 22 years old, a record that still stands today. He led the Blueshirts to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final and played over a decade in the NHL, most of it at the Garden.
Lucky for us, his Rangers story didn’t end with retirement. After a knee injury sidelined him during the 1981 playoffs, Maloney joined none other than Marv Albert and Sal Messina in the radio booth — a moment that planted the seed for his second act. He’s since dubbed it the “bonus round”.
Radio Roots & Resilience
On the latest New Ice City Podcast with Vince Mercogliano, Maloney spoke candidly about his broadcasting journey. He admitted that back in 2006, when John Davidson left MSG to become President of the St. Louis Blues, he had his sights set on the TV role. But the nod went to Joe Micheletti, and Dave was disappointed. Still, he embraced his role on radio and built a beloved 20-year partnership with Kenny Albert. Not only that, over time he managed to build a phenomenal relationship with Joe himself.
When the position opened again, he didn’t hesitate. Dave threw his name into the ring – this time, the booth was his.
Dave Will Be Dave
He loves the game, he loves the Rangers and everyone can certainly tell. During his conversation with Vince, he described himself as an analyst, not a critic. He observes the game without making it personal, but he’s honest about his bias. He knows he’s been called out for being over exuberant. His response? An apology to absolutely nobody! He’s going to be himself, whether you like it or not. The media world could use more characters with that mantra.
Whether he’s breaking down defensive structure or reminiscing about Rangers history, Dave brings warmth, candor, and a deep emotional connection to the broadcast. He’s not just telling you what happened, he’s demanding you feel it.
Legacy, Continued
Founded in 1926, the New York Rangers have spent a century building a legacy defined not just by players and moments, but by the voices that carried them.
As the organization enters its 100th season in 2026, it feels fitting that two men who’ve long been part of the story, Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney, are stepping into the limelight.
I vividly remember keeping the volume of the living room TV to a whisper so I could hear Sam and Joe call a late west coast game without waking my family up. Getting up for school the next day was a tomorrow problem. Now, seeing Kenny and Dave on MSG will feel like picking up an old conversation — just with a new rhythm.
Together, they’re not replacing Sam and Joe. They’re continuing the conversation. The booth may sound a little different, but you’ll never question the work ethic, passion and enthusiasm for Rangers hockey.
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