Latest news with #MSGNetwork
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Micheletti joins partner Sam Rosen, retires from Rangers broadcasts
New York Rangers broadcasts on the MSG Network will have a completely new look and sound next season. Not only has Sam Rosen retired as the Rangers longtime play-by-play broadcaster, but his partner for the past 19 seasons is also stepping away from the TV booth. Joe Micheletti announced his retirement on Thursday. Unlike Rosen, who made his announcement last summer and had a full season to say goodbye to his fans throughout the NHL, Micheletti quietly stepped aside with far less fanfare once the season ended. Advertisement 'From pond hockey in Minnesota to the bright lights of Broadway, my hockey journey has been a magical ride,' Micheletti said in a statement. 'My wife Kathy and I have ben thinking about this for a few years, and we decided that now is the right time to retire, and we look forward to spending more time with our family.' The 70-year-old didn't let on that this might be his last season with the Rangers. Instead, he stood to the side and let Rosen bask in the adoration from fans in every city the Rangers visited this season. Rosen retired after 40 years behind the mic for the Rangers, and had his own special retirement night at Madison Square Garden late this season. The final broadcast for the pair was dubbed 'Salute to Sam,' with highlights of Rosen's career shared throughout the broadcast. The Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning that night and Rosen headed out the door and into the sunset. Advertisement If Rosen knew that Micheletti was joining him, he never let on. It was already announced that Kenny Albert will replace Rosen as the Rangers play-by-play voice on television, sliding over from the radio booth. It's not known who will replace Micheletti. Dave Maloney is the longtime radio analyst and former Rangers captain. Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle, Mike Rupp, Henrik Lundqviost, Martin Biron, Anson Carter and Steve Valiquette are former Rangers players currently working as broadcasters, either with MSG Network or elsewhere. Related: Rangers have 3 percent chance of winning No. 1 pick at 2025 NHL Draft Lottery on May 5 Joe Micheletti retires from Rangers broadcasts (Photo Courtesy of MSG Networks) Micheletti worked as an analyst on his first NHL broadcast in 1985 for the St. Louis Blues, for whom he played three seasons as a defenseman. Two years later, he was hired as an assistant coach with the Blues, and spent four seasons in that role before returning to the booth. Advertisement Over the years, Micheletti was an TV analyst for the Minnesota North Stars and New York Islanders before replacing John Davidson alongside Rosen with the Rangers. He also worked on nationally televised broadcasts, covering 25 Stanley Cup Finals, 15 NHL All-Star Games, and five Winter Olympics. 'This career has been so special because of the amazing people that I've worked with at every stop along the way,' Micheletti said. 'Thank you to my remarkable family at MSG Networks, to the Rangers organization, and to all the teams that allowed me to do what I love for 40 years.' Related Headlines
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
I tried out for the Rockettes on a reality TV show as a teen
I was 17 years old, wearing nothing but a black leotard, nude tights and an intolerable pair of 2-inch heeled Capezio character shoes as a camera crew followed my anxiety-ridden peers and me in the rehearsal hall of Radio City Music Hall. How did I end up here? Considering it was my — and my mother's — dream to be a Radio City Rockette, I signed up to audition for 'The Rockette Summer Intensive' almost 15 years ago. It was a demanding, weeklong, boot camp-like program where eager young women danced their hearts out, praying they would stand out enough to possibly be offered the opportunity of a lifetime — a coveted spot on the world-famous kickline. 6 Fabiana Buontempo featured on 'The Rockette Summer Intensive' show. MSG Varsity TV Advertisement The same year I signed up to audition for the intensive with hundreds of other girls — which has since been replaced by two other summer programs and operates differently — MSG Network was piloting a cable reality TV-type show featuring 10 slightly naive, aspiring Rockettes. To be considered for the show, I submitted a janky video of myself performing with my New Jersey high school dance team, and much to my surprise, I was selected for what would become a life-changing experience — but not for the reason you'd expect. The crew followed me and the nine other local tri-state area girls around, 'Real Housewives'-style, as we performed what felt like 1,000 kicks to film the opening credits of the show at an empty Radio City in the wee morning hours. Advertisement I didn't realize it at the time, but watching it now, the magic of reality-produced drama was apparent. They honed in on one girl's injury, which resulted in her terribly messing up her audition. Another castmate revealed to the cameras that she irresponsibly went to a concert the night before the audition and was running on empty fumes — which led viewers to believe she was going to blow her chances of nailing her audition. 6 Like many young dancers, Buontempo grew up idolizing the Rockettes. Courtesy Fabiana Buontempo And of course, when it came to me, the cameras made sure to zoom in on my panicked face in that audition room — fortunately for the crew, I looked genuinely petrified the entire time. Advertisement I was pulled aside to do green-screen confessionals, all while trying to get through the audition process without crying — or throwing up — from both exhaustion and nerves. I didn't actually throw up, but I was close to it. 6 The many kicks done on audition day. Buontempo is fourth from the right. Courtesy Fabiana Buontempo I remember being a ball of nerves and anxiety, wondering how I got myself into this situation. Advertisement When it was time to open my acceptance — or rejection — email to the program, it was in front of a film crew in my parents' kitchen. My camera-averse mom was so nervous for me that she sneakily filled up a glass of wine to chug in our laundry room at 3 p.m. on a Wednesday. She admitted it to me after the fact, and my family still laughs about it to this day. I got accepted and I was relieved, excited and apprehensive knowing that this journey had just begun. 6 'We were a group of high school girls desperately trying to get noticed by both the cameras and the program's director,' Buontempo (left) writes. Courtesy Fabiana Buontempo The day of auditions was only a small glimpse into what the weeklong program was going to entail — and that was a bit terrifying. I knew I was a good dancer, but never considered myself to be amazing, like some of the other girls who had the same dreams as me. Looking back now, I may have been typecast as the 'rookie with potential' — but at the time, I was just relieved that I didn't have to read a rejection email to a camera. Every day was an exhausting six-hour day of training — something real Rockettes are accustomed to — full of intense warm-ups followed by drilling Christmas routines dozens of times and, of course, hundreds of kicks. 6 We rehearsed for six hours a day and then there was even more drilling at home. Courtesy Fabiana Buontempo Advertisement Afterward at home, more drilling. I was so anxious that I wouldn't remember the routines. I'd wake up every morning limping around, trying to get my tights on. This program was one of the hardest things I ever did, both mentally and physically — maybe still to this day, but especially at 17. The scariest part of all of this was that everything was documented for TV, at a time when Facebook was barely a thing and no one was utilizing their camera phones to their full potential. 6 At the end of the weeklong program, we performed a few numbers from the Christmas Spectacular for friends and family. Courtesy Fabiana Buontempo Admittedly, every day that week, I tried brainstorming an injury I could fake to excuse myself from the program early. Not because I wasn't enjoying it or that it wasn't worthwhile — but because I was an insecure teen who doubted herself. Advertisement It didn't help when the pros leading the intensive revealed on camera my biggest insecurities about my technique as a dancer for the world to see — that's enough to traumatize a teen. I remember them saying that some of my moves weren't sharp enough or that I had to work on my skills. We were a group of high school girls desperately trying to get noticed by both the cameras and the program's director — a recipe for cattiness, as one could imagine. I remember asking one of the girls a question about a routine we were learning and she only talked to me when the cameras were rolling. This gave me a taste of both reality TV and the world of dance — and I didn't care for either. I was in a room among so many incredibly talented dancers who would give their left kidney to be a Rockette — yet I was more fascinated with the operations of the TV show than anything else. I loved the workings of the cameras and being on-screen — all of the pre- and postproduction work excited me. Advertisement The show was an incredible experience for many reasons, but mainly because it helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life — and what I wanted to leave behind. At the time, I thought I would chase the dream of becoming a Rockette or professional dancer throughout my adulthood, but this experience helped me realize that I wanted to work in media — something I would've never known if it wasn't for that TV exposure as a teen. While I didn't become a Rockette, rather than fall down in life like the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers dance, I kicked my way to my own Spectacular.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Iconic New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig dies at 68
Iconic New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig dies at 68 Al Trautwig, an iconic New York City sports broadcaster who covered the area for more than 30 years and did multiple Olympic Games, died at the age of 68. His son, Alex, confirmed his death to the Associated Press, saying his father died Sunday at his home on Long Island due to complications of cancer. Trautwig was most notably part of the MSG Network in New York City, spending various time serving as the host of the pre- and postgame coverage for the New York Yankees, New York Knicks and New York Rangers. He was a mainstay for the city's sports viewers and helped elevate the magical feel from iconic venues in Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium. "Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable," MSG said in a statement. "He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends." In addition to his time in New York City, Trautwig covered 16 Olympic Games, and notably served as the main play-by-play announcer for international gymnastics events, including each Summer Olympics from 2000-2016. While also spending time with NBC, ABC and CBS, he worked the Indianapolis 500, Tour de France and the Little League Baseball World Series. He also made a cameo appearance in the 1993 film "Cool Runnings." Trautwig's last appearance on television was in 2021 after MSG opted not to renew his contract. He won four national Emmy Awards, more than 30 New York Emmys and the 2000 New York State Sportscaster of the Year Award.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Al Trautwig, longtime New York sports broadcaster at MSG Network, dead at 68
The sports world has lost a great one as former MSG Network broadcaster Al Trautwig passed away at the age of 68. "I'm sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports," posted Alan Hahn, his former broadcast partner who revealed the news of Trautwig's passing in an emotional statement on X on Monday afternoon. "But we lost a lot more than that," Hahn wrote. "He was not only a friend, but a mentor and teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career. Rest in peace, Al Trautwig." I'm sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career. Rest in peace, @AlTrautwig. 💔 — Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) February 24, 2025 Trautwig did it all at MSG Network, where he served as a studio host covering pregame and postgame shows for the Knicks, Rangers and Yankees. The Long Island native last appeared on MSG back in 2019 when he took a leave of absence when he was diagnosed with cancer. Trautwig was also known for his Olympics coverage, which he covered gymnastic events from 2000-16. He also covered big events such as the New York City Marathon, U.S. Open tennis tournament and the Tour de France. He also notably appeared in the 1993 film "Cool Runnings," where he played himself in the movie about the Jamaican bobsled team in the 1988 Winter Games in Canada. This article originally appeared on Al Trautwig, longtime sports broadcaster at MSG Network, dead at 68
