Tributes are pouring in following the death of longtime Calgary Flames radio play-by-play announcer Peter Maher. He was 79.
Maher began his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a play-by-play announcer in 1977, before moving to the Flames in 1980 when the franchise relocated to Calgary.
In addition to the Flames, Maher also lent his voice to six NHL All-Star Games, the 2005 IIHF World Championship, and the Canadian men’s hockey team during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Maher was known for his trademark expressions, including “Yeah, baby!” and “You can put it in the win column!”
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006 after receiving the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, which honors members of the radio and television industry who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to the game of hockey.
Maher retired in 2014 after 33 consecutive seasons in the Flames radio booth. To honor Maher, the Flames named the radio booth in the Scotiabank Saddledome the “Peter Maher Radio Broadcast Booth.”
Following his death, the Flames and several broadcasters paid tribute to Maher.
In a statement, the Calgary Flames said, “Peter’s unmistakable voice became part of the soundtrack of being a Flames fan.”
It has been the honour of a lifetime calling games from the Peter Maher Radio Broadcast Booth. Rest in Peace 🙏🏼❤️ https://t.co/hijqg0VHBe
— Meaghan Mikkelson (@Mikkelson12) August 14, 2026
Sad day in Calgary, as we report the legendary radio voice of the Flames, Peter Maher, has passed away.
A man of immense class, integrity and heart, Maher was a mentor to many and a comforting voice for Flames fans for 32 years.
It was impossible not to love the man.
There is a… pic.twitter.com/GRM5mY8sPE— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) August 13, 2026
When my family moved to Calgary in 1981, the Flames were newly-arrived and I was excited to finally be living in an NHL city.
As a teenaged fan and aspiring broadcaster, I quickly became familiar with the work of the Flames’ radio play-by-play man Peter Maher.
He was one of… https://t.co/6vu8pdT0u3
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) August 13, 2026
Peter Maher became a mainstay in Calgary, as the Voice of the Flames, in the 2nd year of the franchise. This followed a stint in Toronto, as The Maple Leafs’ radio voice.
Shocked to hear of his passing today. He was as much a part of the Flames, as any coach or any player.
A…
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) August 13, 2026
About Manny Soloway
Manny Soloway is a Iowa based writer focusing on TV ratings. He is also the founder of the TV Media Blog substack.