Peter Maher, the longtime radio voice of the Calgary Flames and a Hockey Hall of Famer, has died at 79, the team announced Thursday afternoon.
For more than three decades, Maher was woven into the Flames’ soundtrack. He began working with the organization in 1980, the franchise’s first season in Calgary after relocating from Atlanta, and stayed behind the microphone through the 2013-14 season. Over that stretch, he called some of the biggest moments in team history, including the Flames’ only Stanley Cup championship in 1989 against the Montreal Canadiens and their run to the Cup Final in 2004.
His calls became part of the team’s identity. After Flames goals and wins, Maher would fire off familiar lines like “Yeah, baby!” and “You can put it in the win column!”
The Flames said in a statement released on social media, “To so many people, Peter was the longtime voice of the Calgary Flames,” the team said in a statement released on social media. “To us, he was simply Dad.”
Maher’s reach went well beyond Calgary. He worked four Cup finals, six NHL All-Star Games, the 2005 IIHF World Championship and the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
His résumé earned him a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006 after he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his broadcasting work. He was also inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
The Flames later recognized him in retirement with the Peter Maher Radio Broadcast Booth at Scotiabank Saddledome. The club will play its final season there before moving to Scotia Place in 2027-28.
When Maher retired in April 2014, he reflected on stepping away after a career that never missed an NHL play-by-play assignment over more than 3,100 games.
“It’s better to leave what you do best too early than too late. And that statement has tremendous impact on what my decision is today,” Maher said the day he retired in April 2014.
“I take pride in saying I’ve been blessed to not miss an NHL play-by-play assignment after over 3,100 games. For that, I’m forever grateful, and a big thanks to the trainers, doctors that got me through some tough sick moments.”
Maher was also honoured with the Peter Maher Award, presented each year to the Flames player who best shows sincerity, integrity, dedication and respect.
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