Legendary Calgary Flames radio broadcaster Peter Maher has died at age 79.
“Peter’s legacy extends well beyond the broadcast booth. He was a passionate ambassador for the Calgary Flames, a devoted member of the community and a person whose warmth, generosity and love for the game touched countless lives,” the Flames said in a media release Thursday.
Maher served as the voice of the Flames on radio broadcasts for more than three decades, beginning in 1980 through the end of the 2013-14 NHL season. He was on the call as the Flames won their lone Stanley Cup in 1989.
During his retirement news conference in 2014, Maher said, “It’s better to leave something you love too early, rather than too late.”
“I’ve been blessed to not miss an NHL play-by-play assignment after over 3,100 games. For that, I’m grateful,” Maher said during the announcement.
“To so many people, Peter was the longtime voice of the Calgary Flames. To us, he was simply Dad,” the Maher family said in a statement Thursday.
“He was incredibly proud of his career and the people he met along the way, but his greatest pride was always his family.”
“We are heartbroken by his passing and grateful for the love, friendship and support he received throughout his life.”
Maher’s broadcasting career includes several highlights, such as his induction into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame as a media honouree in November of 2006, and winning the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.
The native of Campbellton, N.B., is also a member of the New Brunswick and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame.
He worked as the voice of the Vancouver Olympics hockey broadcast for Sportsnet in 2010.
He’s known for his two catchphrases, “Yeah baby” and “You can put it in the win column,” which he hollered after every Flames victory.
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Anyone who visits the press level at Scotiabank Saddledome — which is entering its final year as the home of the Flames in 2026-27 — will recognize the broadcast booth named in his honour.
The Peter Maher Award is chosen by local media each year and presented to the Flames player that best demonstrates the virtues of sincerity, integrity, dedication and respect.
Maher spoke to 770 CHQR on Wednesday as the radio station announced it would host Flames broadcasts for the next five seasons.
“I remember the first three years the Flames played in Calgary, they played in the (Stampede Corral). The Saddledome, of course, hadn’t been built. And the last year the Flames played in the Corral, the games are on (CHQR) and Lanny McDonald set a record that still stands with 66 goals,” Maher recalled.
“That was one of the best broadcast locations I ever called a game from,” Maher said of the former Flames arena. “It was so close to the ice, it was very easy to identify players and numbers.”
Maher also said he was looking forward to the third home of the Flames — Scotia Place — which is slated to open in time for the 2027-28 season.
“There’s going to be a lot of excitement going on over the next little while with this team, as it grows and moves into that new sparkly building,” Maher said.
Tributes pour in
Many personalities in the Calgary and National Hockey League landscape penned their thoughts of Maher online following the news of his passing.
More arrangements surrounding a service for Maher are expected to be announced in the coming days.
RIP Lost a legend today. Yeah baby :(
That is heartbreaking news. Peter Maher truly was the voice of the Calgary Flames for generations of fans. He called the Flames from their early Calgary years through the 1989 Stanley Cup championship, and his legendary “Yeah, baby!” and “You can put it in the win column!” became part of Calgary hockey culture.
And the fact that he was just on with Jock Wilson yesterday makes this hit even harder. What a privilege that must have been to hear him one more time.
Rest in peace, Mr. Maher.
Yeah, baby… you can put it in the win column. 🏒❤️🔥
Peter was the very best of the best.