Doug McLeod, the colorful longtime voice of NHL and college hockey in Minnesota, died Saturday in Arizona. He had been dealing with heart issues.
McLeod is best remembered as the voice of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, a five-time NCAA champion and perennial hockey power. He joined their broadcasts in 1978 and called 16 seasons before leaving. He returned to do Golden Gophers games with Fox Sports North from 2012 to 2019.
The veteran broadcaster also did play-by-play work on TV for the NHL North Stars for six seasons, including the 1990-91 campaign when Minnesota lost the Stanley Cup Finals. He also called NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Arizona Coyotes.
Gophers Radio Network broadcaster Frank Mazzocco recalled McLoud as “flamboyant.”
“He would keep his audience laughing,” Mazzocco said {via the StarTribune.com). “When someone did something good on the ice, he’d say, ‘Buy that man a five-dollar cigar.'”
“His iconic calls will live on forever,” noted the Minnesota Golden Gophers X/Twitter account.
We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of longtime voice of #PrideOnIce Doug McLeod.
His iconic calls will live on forever.
His family and friends are in our thoughts. pic.twitter.com/xiKPunq7mH
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) December 10, 2023
Minnesota hockey fans shared their memories of McLeod on X/Twitter.
Icon. This stings. Hundreds of thousands of #Prideonice fans are ready to watch Gopher hockey games in heaven with Doug. Including my dad. RIP Mr. McLeod.
— Eric Halstrom (@ericahalstrom) December 10, 2023
Buy that man a 5 dollar Cigar !
Guy was awesome!— NICKEL (@nickel44lou) December 10, 2023
A “metallurgic save”. He was the best.
— 218REDWAVE (@VicPeterson) December 10, 2023
[Minnesota Men’s Hockey; Photo Credit: Minnesota Golden Gophers]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.