A letter to you, the great fans and friends I’ve made in St. Louis.
Where do I begin, really? Where does this letter start?
Does it begin with a round of golf at Blackstone Country Club in Peoria, Arizona in 2009? I got a phone call then that would turn the next 14 years into the best ride of my life.
I was about to take my dad, Gerry, to the course on a beautiful desert day when the phone rang. It was Mike Caruso of the St. Louis Blues, and he wanted to know if I was planning on golfing that day. The Blues were making a remarkable run from last place to a playoff spot that year and it was an off day. Yes I was golfing, I told him. He asked if there was any chance he, Kelly Chase and John Davidson could join. Sure thing, I said, and off we went. It didn’t seem seem like a round of golf that would shape my future with another organization, but it did.
I had been a part of many broadcasts with JD – both on ESPN/ABC and two Olympics – and I had played a few rounds of golf with him. We were all very comfortable around one another, and I always loved Chaser. We had a few cold ones together in the past and a few laughs. It was a pretty normal, fun day. But near the end, JD took me aside and asked me one question – “If this bankruptcy happens here with the Coyotes, would you consider joining the Blues broadcast team?”
And that’s where this journey began.
JD and I love listening to Bruce Springsteen. And all I could think of was the song “Leap of Faith” from the Lucky Town Album. It was perfect. It was real. The Blues and I both took a Leap of Faith.
Before I signed my contract with JD, former Blues President Peter McLoughlin and the President of then-FOX Sports Midwest Jack Donovan, I made one very important phone call to Bernie Federko. I had played against him several times, but I didn’t KNOW him. He had a statue, a sweater hanging in the rafters and a Hockey Hall of Fame ring. I was going to be coming in as a new broadcast partner, and his position was going to change in the broadcast booth. I wasn’t coming if it didn’t sit well with him. What I found out rather quickly in this conversation is that he is the same Hall of Famer off the ice as he was on it – a person full of character, integrity and honor. He welcomed me and my family with open arms, and off we went. I will never forget that talk with 24.
So Lynn and I packed some things, drove two cars to St. Louis and moved into a loft at the corner of Tucker and Washington Avenue. The Meridian, right in the thick of things – Lucas Park Grille, Hair of the Dog – Lynn and I frequented them all. I wanted people in St. Louis to know I lived there. We got to know people, lots of people. I joined Meadowbrook Country Club my second season and found some of the best members and people you’ll ever find. Lifelong friends, my haven away from the rink. It was perfect.
Thank you, Panger, for 14 amazing years
Coming to St. Louis, I knew there would be questions from you – the fans – about a former Blackhawk goalie calling Blues games (although my 81 career games in Chicago wasn’t exactly the same as Ed Belfour and his history against the Blues). I was ready for that. And the fans were just awesome. If they hadn’t been, I’m sure Chaser had my back, as did the Alumni and Bruce Affleck, one of the greats in the history of the Blues franchise on and off the ice.
I asked JD about what the reaction from the fans might be. How could I broadcast for the Blues if I never played for them? I mean, I played for the Hawks, the team the city despised the most. And vice versa. His answer was quick and to the point: “Don’t kid yourself, Panger, you weren’t that good! You’ll win them over by being you. You’ve been doing national TV for over 20 years. If it doesn’t work out, we will all know it and you can move on.” It was great advice, big boy, and I always appreciated that.
It more than worked out. I’ve had the time of my life.
I remember early on when I was still up in the broadcast booth in Section 320 with John Kelly. He had no idea what he was getting as a partner, but I think he got an idea just a few games in during the third period when Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” came on and the crowd was quiet. The team wasn’t always good in 2009-10, so I got up on my broadcast seat – you know the ones that fold up that if you lean one way too much you may go through it. I’ve got my arms in the air, getting the crowd going….
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