OTTAWA, Ontario — Steve Mears remembers attending Penguins games at Civic Arena and scanning the press box, trying to identify broadcasters Mike Lange and Paul Steigerwald.
Now, Mears will step into their former roles, as Root Sports general manager Shawn McClintock hired Mears on Tuesday to become the new play-by-play man for Penguins games on television.
Mears, 37, is understandably ecstatic to get the job, but the significance of it is hardly lost on the Murrysville native, the same guy whose life is pretty much marked by significant events in Penguins history.
Thank you everyone for all the kind words. It will truly be an honor to call games next season for my hometown @penguins on @ROOTSPORTSPIT
— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) May 16, 2017
“It’s a tremendous honor. It really is,” Mears said. “It means so much more because it’s my hometown team. It really is storybook material when you think about it.”
Mears said he learned how to drive while cruising to Penguins games on the Parkway with his dad. He knows the date his parents purchased their home because the Penguins won a Cup the same year.
“So many signposts in my life are connected o the Penguins,” Mears said.
And now this, leaving a prominent, national gig at NHL Network to return home and work down the hall from Lange — Mears’ idol and someone he considers a good friend.
“I grew up dreaming of just getting an NHL job,” said Mears, who also did radio play-by-play for the Islanders. “Never could I have envisioned this type of opportunity.
“I’m forever grateful to the Penguins, to Mike Lange and ‘Steigy’ and NHL Network. It’s a dream come true.”
For McClintock, it was a chance to add a top talent he had been impressed by since meeting Mears at the NHL Draft.
“I remember thinking, This guy is an emerging star in this business.’ “ McClintock recalled.
McClintock, of course, turned out to be correct. Mears will be among the youngest primary play-by-play men in the NHL next season, but he’s undoubtedly among the most talented of the group.
“He’s a great person and continues to be a rising star in this business,” McClintock said. “He was a very natural and/or easy selection based on the experience I’ve had with him for quite some time.”
Mears will work alongside analyst Bob Errey, who also signed a multiyear deal and will return for his 14th season.
McClintock said there are no plans to mix and match announcers the way Root Sports does with its Pirates broadcasters, an arrangement that could move Lange back to TV.
“Bobby and Steve are the TV people and will be,” McClintock said.
“We want to stick with a set combo. I know Steve and Bob will do an outstanding job.”
The move with Steigerwald was not easy.
His new role will have him working with the Penguins’ in-house media team. He’ll make regular appearances on PensTV and pre- and post-game radio shows while also representing the team at various community and charitable functions.
Steigerwald joined the Penguins as the club's director of marketing in 1980. He became part of the broadcast team in 1985 and moved from radio to TV, replacing Lange in 2006.
“ ‘Steigy’ is tremendous,” McClintock said. “I think Steigy is a great ambassador for the Pittsburgh Penguins. So much passion. So much pure love that comes from the heart. He’s great in the community and as a historian.
“Those on-ice ceremonies that he did throughout this year, specifically with the [50-year] anniversary … he’s good with sponsors, ours and with the Penguins.”
“Everybody gets better by expanding our base of people. The opportunity was there. Steve was ready. It all kind of fit together nicely.”
Mears will remain at NHL Network for the next month, through the 2017 Stanley Cup Final and the NHL Draft.
After that, he can’t wait to get back home.
“I’m thrilled,” said Mears, who also did in-house media for the Penguins and some in-studio hosting for Root Sports. “I love the art of play-by-play. That’s something I’ve missed doing regularly. So I’m excited about that aspect.
“But just the fact that this team is so good and the organization is so well-run, I’m beyond thrilled. It’s an honor. That’s not lost on me.”
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: May 16, 2017, 2:54 p.m.
Updated: May 17, 2017, 12:30 a.m.