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Mike's (Ahbroody's) favorite Red Wing's color commentator is getting some major kudos; will be inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame...


Red Wings TV analyst Mickey Redmond will receive Foster Hewitt Award





http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index....mickey_re.html

DETROIT -- When Mickey Redmond’s promising playing career was cut short because of back problems, it opened the door to a long and rewarding stint in the broadcast booth.

Redmond, the color analyst for the Detroit Red Wings, has been entertaining and enlightening hockey fans for more than three decades with his enthusiastic style and colorful phrases, termed "Mickeyisms."

On Thursday, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced that Redmond will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

Redmond will receive the award at a luncheon on Nov. 14 as part of this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in Toronto.

"I’m almost overwhelmed," Redmond said. "My phone’s been ringing off the hook. The more people talk about it, you get an understanding of what it means."

Redmond, 63, started his broadcasting career in 1979 with the Red Wings. After a five-year stint on Hockey Night in Canada, he returned to Detroit in 1986. Since 1997, he has worked with play-by-play man Ken Daniels on Fox Sports Detroit. He also has worked national telecasts for Fox Sports, ABC, ESPN and USA Network.

Redmond said it means a lot to him to be recognized for giving back to the sport. His late parents, Eddie and May, were heavily involved in the game. Eddie Redmond played semipro hockey with Jean Beliveau and the Quebec Aces. Mickey’s brother, Dick, was a defenseman who spent 13 seasons in the NHL, primarily with Chicago and Boston.

"The Redmond family are hockey lifers," Redmond said. "For the Redmond family to be able to contribute back to hockey is special to me."

Redmond played on two Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Montreal Canadiens (1968 and ’69) before being traded to Detroit, where his career blossomed. He was the first player in franchise history to score 50 goals, netting 51 in 1972-73 and 52 the following season.

Recurring back pain forced him to retire prematurely at age 29 in 1976.

In 1979, he started working Red Wings games for ON-TV, a subscription service that was a precursor to cable television.

"In a strange way (the injury) opened the door for this to take place," Redmond said. "They said, ‘Here’s a microphone, go do what you do.’ It went from there. It’s been an amazing 32 years."

Growing up in Peterborough, Ontario, he watched the Toronto Maple Leafs and Canadiens on CBC, listening to legendary voices Foster Hewitt and Danny Gallivan. He eventually worked with broadcasting giants such as Gallivan, Dick Irvin and Bob Cole.

Redmond credits his father for helping him develop a sharp analytical eye for the game.

"Dad’s advice was "don’t let (a bad or uneventful) game drag you down, look harder to find its greatness,’ " Redmond said. "I tried to carry that advice with me. I’m very blessed to do what I do."

Health issues forced Redmond to reduce his travel schedule several years ago. He still works 75 percent of the games and has no plans to retire anytime soon.

"After 44 years in the game, this is as good as it gets for me," Redmond said. "As long as I’m having fun, I’ll do it as long as I can."

The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is named in honor of the late "Voice of Hockey" in Canada. It was first presented in 1984 by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association in recognition of members of the radio and television industry who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to hockey.

Congrats Mickey!