Keenan Joins MSG Broadcast Team

MSG Network announced today that Mike Keenan, coach of the 1994 Stanley Cup winning New York Rangers, will join MSG’s telecast team of Sam Rosen, Joe Micheletti, Al Trautwig, John Giannone, Dave Maloney, Ron Duguay as a regular guest analyst for pregame, intermission and postgame reports on the network.

Keenan will make his debut this weekend, appearing Opening Night as the Rangers take on the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, and then again the following night as the Rangers open their home slate at the Garden against the Ottawa Senators.

Keenan has coached four teams to the Stanley Cup Finals - Philadelphia (1984 & 1987), Chicago (1992), and, of course, he won the Cup coaching the Rangers in 1994.

“I look forward to having the opportunity to be back at The Garden working with MSG Network and I look forward to sharing some of my hockey insight with Rangers fans,” said Keenan. “It would also be nice to reminisce with some old friends that are still there.”

“We are very excited to have Mike join our award-winning cast,” said MSG Networks Executive Vice President/General Manager, Dan Ronayne. “He is still immensely popular in New York, and his knowledge of the sport is unparalleled. This addition to Rangers telecasts will be a true win for our viewers.”

Keenan has coached eight teams in the NHL, most recently the Calgary Flames last season. He previously coached the Flyers, Blackhawks, Rangers, Blues, Canucks, Bruins, Panthers and Flames, and amassed 672 regular season and 96 playoff wins.

In addition, ESPN SportsCenter veteran Bill Pidto, a New York native, has joined MSG as studio host for both Rangers and Knicks away games. Pidto currently co-hosts “The B Team” radio show on Sirius/XM satellite radio with Bruce Murray and served as an ESPN anchor for 15 years, from 1993 – 2008.

Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti return for their fourth season together, and Rosen is beginning his 26th season as the play-by-play voice for the team. Al Trautwig will serve as studio host for all Rangers (and Knicks) home games, and John Giannone returns as a reporter / host on Rangers telecasts. Dave Maloney will serve as post game analyst for Rangers home games, and Ron Dugauy will serve as pre and post game analyst for Rangers away games.

The Rangers season opens on Friday, Oct. 2, as the Blueshirts take on the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. MSG’s coverage begins at 7:00pm with the “Rangers Game Night” pregame show. The puck drops at 7:30pm, and is followed by the “Rangers Postgame Show”.

On Saturday night, the Rangers play their first game of the 2009-10 campaign at The Garden, and battle the Ottawa Senators. Pregame coverage begins with “Rangers Game Night” at 6:30pm, and will be followed by the return of the popular “Hockey Night Live” – MSG’s weekly hockey roundup show on Saturday evenings during hockey season – after the game.