He's been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
He went along for the ride with the "Boys on the Bus".
He called all five of the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Championships.
He's a legend.
An inspiration.
Since 1972 Rod Phillips has been "The Voice of the Oilers" – with them during their WHA days, their entrance into the NHL, their five Stanley Cup Championships, the Wayne Gretzky trade, the rebuilding years, the near re-location to Houston, and so much more.
On Sunday April 11, 2010, Rod Phillips may have called his final game with the Edmonton Oilers. After 37-years it appears the man so many of us have grown up with, will call it a career.
Growing up in Edmonton, I remember my parents making me go to bed early on school nights. It was never an issue except when the Oilers were in action. So I'd sneak a little radio into my bed and I'd put the volume as low as possible while pressing my young ears to the speaker. Listening to Rod on 790 CFCW and then later 630 CHED, it was so easy to visualize the action. As the excitement in his voice grew – my heart would race knowing that a good opportunity was on the horizon.
Even at a young age I knew that there was something magical about Rod Phillips. He started calling Oilers games 11-years before I was even born! My earliest memories of Rod were during the rebuilding years of the early-to-mid 90's and as excited as he was then, I can only imagine how amazing it would have been to hear him during the glory years.
With Rod you always knew what to expect…
"Shoots – Scoooooooores"
You could almost sense him jumping out of his seat with every spectacular save that seemed out of this world. Even in the pre-season, he'd make a nice save sound like a save from Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.
He was never one to hold back either – using the classic "boneheaded play" time and time again.
And if you ever wanted to know who was starting in goal – just wait till the National Anthem was over. The second it was done… "Tommy Salo starts in goal for the Edmonton Oilers…"
At the age of 12 I realized I wanted to become a sports broadcaster. I had been inspired by Rod Phillips and desperately wanted to be just like him. Playing hockey games on Sega or Super Nintendo – I'd do play by play using all of Rod's infamous lines. I was such a fan that I'd even mute the TV when the Oilers played just so I could hear Rod do the play by play.
While I eventually realized that play by play wasn't for me – I still wanted to enter the sports broadcasting world thanks to Rod.
So it was a dream come true when I first got to meet him back in 2001.
Fresh out of high school and into college, I had an opportunity to spend a day with the production staff of Hockey Night in Canada. The Edmonton Oilers were hosting the Vancouver Canucks and it was a day I'll never forget. A chance to get up close to the production trucks, meet and get advice from guys like Scott Russell and Kelly Hrudey… but it was the chance to meet Rod Phillips that made my day. I asked one of the production guys if I could go up to the press box and meet Rod – he said absolutely.
Keep in mind I was 17-years old… as I stood outside his booth, I was literally shaking – I was about to meet the man who inspired me, the man who provided me with so many memories. It was a quick conversation but one I'll never forget.
I've since had a chance to meet with him on a few other occassions and every time it's a thrill. For just those few moments – I'm in the presence of hockey royalty and a man who helped create a dream.
So it's with mixed emotions that I sat at my computer tonight and listened to the final game of the season for the Edmonton Oilers. I know I could have watched it on TV but for one night it was nice to take a trip down memory lane.
And to no surprise, he didn't miss a beat.
If this was, in fact, his final game with the Edmonton Oilers – it'll be tough to see him go. No disrespect to whoever takes over his position but it just won't be the same without Rod. And while I'd love to say "ONE MORE YEAR!" I realize that he's earned the chance to enjoy life. A chance to spend time with his lovely wife and his children and just relax and not have to criss-cross North America for 90+ games a year.
Without wanting to ramble much more… I just have one thing left to say incase Rod happens to read this…
Thank You… Thank You for everything.
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