New York, NY (February 23, 2012) – MSG+ will present a special telecast of New Jersey Devils hockey Friday night as the team honors legendary announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick prior to its game against Vancouver. Coverage will begin with “Devils Game Night” at 6:30 p.m. and include live coverage of the Devils’ pre-game presentation.

Emrick, “The Voice of Hockey,” was an announcer with MSG Networks for 23 years, winning seven New York Emmy Awards, and spent 21 years in the New Jersey Devils’ broadcast booth, in which he called three Stanley Cup seasons, until his retirement in 2011. He continues to call nationally broadcast hockey games for NBC Sports.

“It was an amazing time – I miss the players and the fans, and the production crew that traveled to all the games – we were a well-bonded group,” said Emrick. “This is an opportunity to say thanks to everybody all in one place,” said Emrick.

“Doc is among the rare few broadcasters who elevates the game and the moment simply by his presence, and we were proud to have him on our air,” said Dan Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager, MSG Networks. “This is a great honor for Doc and we’re excited to bring Friday’s festivities to Devils fans.”

“We are all looking forward to tomorrow night’s ceremony and welcoming Mike, Joyce and the entire Emrick family back to New Jersey,” said Devils’ President, CEO and General Manager Lou Lamoriello. “He was, and continues to be, someone with the unique talent of eloquently presenting the game. The hockey community is fortunate to have ‘Doc’ as its television voice.”

Friday’s telecast on MSG+ will include live coverage of the special pre-game ceremony in which Doc will deliver a speech and be presented with a number of awards. The telecast will also feature special vignettes throughout the night, with Devils players and broadcast peers reflecting on their time with Doc, including Martin Brodeur, Zach Parise, Patrik Elias, Ken Daneyko, Stan Fischler, Chico Resch, Howie Rose, Mike Lange, Bill Clement, Rick Jeanneret and Bob Chase.

Following the post-game show, MSG+ will telecast a special edition of the MSG Original program, “The Game 365,” where host Fran Healy sits down with Doc to discuss the span of his career, his unmatched style and life in and out of the broadcast booth.

Emrick was officially welcomed into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2008, he was recognized as a distinguished "Honoree" of the Hockey Hall of Fame when he was presented with the Foster Hewitt Award. In 2004, he was the 101st recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy, which is presented to an individual for his or her outstanding service to hockey in the United States. He also received a National CableACE Award for best play-by-play in 1997.