LONGTIME HOCKEY ANNOUNCER PASSED AWAY MONDAY AT 96

The hockey world lost a longtime announcer on Monday. 

Al Shaver, who called Minnesota North Stars and Minnesota Gophers games, passed away at the age of 96. He was battling a brief illness, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. 

"Al Shaver, the voice of the North Stars for 26 years and the Gophers for three, passed away after a brief illness Monday on Vancouver Island at the age of 96, his son, Wally, tells me," part of Russo's tweet read.

Before the team moved to Dallas, Shaver called North Stars games for 26 years (1967-93). Minnesota would eventually get another hockey team in 2000 (the Wild) and is still a team to this day because of fan support. 

Shaver then called Minnesota games for a few years before retiring in 1996. He was known as the "voice of hockey" in Minnesota when he was calling games. 

Shaver is survived by five kids (three sons and two daughters), nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Our thoughts go out to his entire family and friends. 

2024-04-24T23:42:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd