Colorado Avalanche Commentator Peter McNab Dies at 70
The Colorado Avalanche announced on Sunday afternoon that long-time color commentator Peter McNab has passed away at the age of 70.
Peter McNab has been the voice of hockey in Colorado for nearly 30 years. I have known very few Avalanche games without Peter. He inspired 3 decades of people with his vast knowledge of the sport and his comforting presence.
Last fall, Peter announced to Avs Country that he was battling cancer. He continued to call games through the season and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in December 2021. In February, he announced he was in remission. Unfortunately, cancer returned in the late spring as the Avs prepared for the Cup Final. He started this season on the color commentary as he has for the last 25 seasons, but as his health declined, his presence was less and less.
Everyone talks about his notebook and his briefcase. He was always scribbling notes about who knows what and who knows what was in his briefcase. Before games, commentators and reporters, and the like get lists of things to look for and trends in the game. But Peter always had his own. He would research statistics, and players and coaches on his own. Peter was a hockey encyclopedia. He always kept it a secret until he was on the air and then he would share his treasure trove of knowledge.
Peter McNab came from a hockey family. His father played for the Red Wings and then worked as a league executive. His brother worked for the Anaheim Ducks. But Peter won over the Denver crowd very early on, as an outstanding forward for the University of Denver. He was drafted by the Sabres in 1972. This kickstarted a 14-year NHL career that took him from Buffalo to Vancouver to Boston to New Jersey.
He was with Colorado when they brought the first sports championship to Denver and he’ll be with us for many years to come. This makes the Stanley Cup mean that much more. Peter has probably forgotten more about this sport than I will ever be able to know.
Miss you Pete. With us always.
