Doyle: The OHL's "Voice of God"

Bob Shepperd was the voice of Yankee Stadium for decades and was often referred to as "The Voice of God". The Ontario Hockey League has a similar "voice" that has been around more than a half-century.

I found a great story today out of Sudbury on Berk Keaney, the longtime public address announcer of the Sudbury Wolves. He has been behind the microphone at Wolves games for 57 years. He was recently honoured at a ceremony that included January 22, 2010 being declared Berk Keaney Day in Greater Sudbury.

Health stopped Shepperd from working New York Yankees games, and he has been out of the booth for two years, retiring at the age of 97. Keaney is a youthful 88-years-old and is not only recognizable by his voice, but the phrases he uses during the Wolves games. Apologies for having a word or two out of place, but where else do you hear "Attention Wolves and Greyhounds, there is five minutes remaining in warmup. Five minutes until ice resurfacing"?

Keaney also rhymes off the entire numerical lineup for both teams prior to puck drop.

"The greatest hockey fans in Canada are right here in Sudbury," said Keaney. "I've had the chance to see some of the greatest players who have ever played the game. There are so many NHL players who got their start right here in Sudbury, we have one right here in coach Mike Foligno."

During the ceremony to honour him, Keaney drew applause and laughter with this dandy for the hometown team. "I need to say one last thing to those young men wearing those Sudbury Wolves jerseys. When I started this job, I said I would retire when the Wolves won the Memorial Cup. As you can see, gentlemen, I'm not getting any younger."

For more on the Berk Keaney celebration in Sudbury, click here.

tdoyle@loosepucks.com
Twitter: Loosepucks