Potvin hangs up his mic after 21 seasons
For the first time in franchise history, Florida Panthers broadcasts will be quite different in 2019. Denis Potvin, who had been with the team since its inaugural 1993-1994 season, announced that he was retiring from his role as the Panthers’ television color analyst on Monday.
Potvin, a Hockey Hall of Famer, spent 21 seasons in his role with the Panthers, after getting his start in broadcasting with Sports Channel NY in 1989 just a few years before joining the team. Potvin, 65, broadcasted both regular-season and playoff games on a variety of networks throughout his career.
“I have been blessed to work in industries where team work was essential for success,” Potvin said in a statement. “When I think of the play-by-play announcers, producers, directors and tape operators I have worked with, not to mention the camera support, it’s no wonder why I loved every minute of being a broadcaster. I’ll miss the interaction and the fun, but I feel that it’s time for me to step away.”
Before broadcasting, Potvin had an illustrious career, appearing in over 1,000 games with the New York Islanders from 1973 to 1988, as well as 185 playoff game appearances. He was the first overall pick of the 1973 draft and a cornerstone of the Islanders’ four Stanley Cup championship teams from 1979-80 to 1982-83. He ranks second in playoff goals among NHL defensemen with 56.
The former Islanders captain was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
“On behalf of the entire Florida Panthers organization, we want to thank Denis for his tremendous contributions to our franchise both as a broadcaster and as an ambassador of hockey in South Florida,” Florida Panthers president & CEO Matthew Caldwell said in a statement. “A legend of the sport, it has been a privilege for our fans through the years to watch and listen to Denis analyze Panthers games. We wish him a happy retirement from this chapter of his illustrious career.”
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.