Friday, December 2, 2011

Wolves Announcer Berk Keaney Calls Final Game of 59-year Career

Press Release

An era is about to come to an end at the Sudbury Arena. For the past 59 years, Berk Keaney has been announcing Wolves hockey from his spot high above section 19 at the east end of the Sudbury Arena. This is a milestone few if any will ever achieve.

Last weekend Berk celebrated turning 90 years young and has decided after a long and rewarding career, it’s time to “hang up the mic”. Berk has been more than a public address announcer - he is an institution.

On his 50th anniversary as the “voice of the wolves”, he was presented with a Milestone Achievement Award from the OHL by Commissioner David Branch.

On that same night, the Sudbury Wolves permanently named his public address spot “the Berk Keaney Announcer’s Booth” and in recognition of his contribution to the city, the City of Greater Sudbury named January 22, 2010 as “Berk Keaney Day” in Sudbury.

Over the past 59 years, Berk has announced the names of players, too many to mention, who have played for the Sudbury Wolves or their opponents and who have gone on to celebrate careers in the NHL.

A few of those names include: Eddy Giacomin, Eddy Shack, Wayne Gretzky, Randy Carlyle, Dave Farrish, Ron Duguay, Zach Stortini, Mike Fisher, Marc Staal, Mike, Nick and Marcus Foligno.

The Sudbury Wolves organization sincerely thank Berk Keaney for his personal contribution to OHL hockey in the Sudbury Arena for the past 59 years and wish him well in his retirement!

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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