Press Release
Legendary broadcaster and former public address announcer for the Halifax
Mooseheads, Pat Connolly, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday.
His
broadcasting career started off with a major bang in 1949. As a
rosey-cheeked 21-year old, with just three weeks experience at Sydney
radio station CJCB, Connolly found himself in Maple Leaf Gardens, doing
play-by-play for the Allan Cup final between the Sydney Millionaires and
the Toronto Marlboros. "I grew up listening to Hockey Night in Canada,
and then there I was, sitting in Foster Hewitts seat in the gondola. How
the hell do you top that?" In 1952, Connolly left CJCB to "explore this
great country." While in Flin Flon, Manitoba, he received a call from
Danny Gallivan. Gallivan had just been named play-by-play man for the
Montreal Canadiens, and wondered if Connolly might be interested in
replacing him at CJCH in Halifax. He was, and came back to take over the
role of sports director. From there, the rest is Nova Scotia
broadcasting history. Connolly soon moved to CBC Halifax, and when TV
debuted three years later, he became the first television sports caster
in Atlantic Canada.
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
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