Ralph Strangis
Encyclopedia
Ralph Strangis is a play-by-play commentator
, who has covered a variety of sports, but most notably has been the commentator for the Dallas Stars
ice hockey franchise of the National Hockey League
since the team's move to Dallas in 1993.
Strangis has worked as a commentator for ESPN, Fox Sports
, and the Westwood One Radio Network. He also commentates for games broadcast on NHL Radio
, which have included regular season, playoff, and World Cup games.
stations doing play by play for a wide variety of high school and college sports. Strangis is especially remembered for his broadcasts of Bloomington Kennedy and Bloomington Jefferson high school hockey that appeared on Bloomington Educational Cable. Strangis' earliest national exposure was as play-by-play man and ring announcer
for the American Wrestling Association
on ESPN
, where he worked alongside Lee Marshall, and later Eric Bischoff
, in the waning days of that promotion.
Although he had quite a bit of broadcast experience, his tryout as color commentator on the Minnesota North Stars
radio network was a longshot—with other better-known sportscasters getting more air time during the auditioning process. As the story goes, five prospects split up a game as guest commentators alongside Al Shaver, then voice of the Minnesota North Stars. The two better-known talents each took a period and then the three longshots split up the third—with Strangis going last. When Al Shaver was asked who he liked the best, he chose Strangis. Ralph shone in his audition, with the perfect ability to complement Shaver's play-by-play with insights from the players and his own intimate knowledge of the game. When the Stars moved to Dallas in 1993, Shaver decided to not to migrate south with the franchise and retired. After two more seasons as color commentator (teaming with Mike Fornes), Strangis migrated to the play-by-play mic, effectively cementing his status as the "Voice of the Stars."
joined Strangis as the Stars' color commentator
, thus creating the popular duo "Ralph and Razor". The two have achieved a near cult-like following in the city of Dallas, so much so that, even though fan support and Dallas' media market size could easily support separate radio and television broadcast teams, the Stars have elected to continue simulcast
ing the pair. In 2008, the Stars added in-arena radio (on 97.5FM) allowing fans yet another opportunity to hear the popular team.
In a poll conducted by the Dallas Morning News, his most famous line was voted the most memorable moment in Dallas history. "Hull scores! Yes! Yes! Yes! The Stars win the Stanley Cup, the Stars win the Stanley Cup!"
, discussing his successful bout with alcoholism
and drug addiction. He also appeared in the play Don't Dress for Dinner at a theater in Coppell, Texas
, where he currently resides along with his wife Stephanie and daughter Savannah.
, Strangis has a speaking role as a courtside broadcaster. He was a contestant on the game show Press Your Luck
in 1984.
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
, who has covered a variety of sports, but most notably has been the commentator for the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
ice hockey franchise of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
since the team's move to Dallas in 1993.
Strangis has worked as a commentator for ESPN, Fox Sports
Fox Sports (USA)
Fox Sports is a division of the Fox Broadcasting Company . It was formed in 1994 with Fox's acquisition of broadcast rights to National Football League games...
, and the Westwood One Radio Network. He also commentates for games broadcast on NHL Radio
NHL Radio
NHL Radio was the official national radio broadcaster of the National Hockey League, covering the All-Star Game, Stanley Cup Finals, both Conference Finals, selected early round playoff action, and the Winter Classic. The package was distributed by Westwood One and premiered in the 1992-93 season...
, which have included regular season, playoff, and World Cup games.
Early career
Strangis honed his play-by-play skills in Minnesota and Wisconsin, starting with his first paying radio job at the age of 16. He later worked on local Public-access televisionPublic-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
stations doing play by play for a wide variety of high school and college sports. Strangis is especially remembered for his broadcasts of Bloomington Kennedy and Bloomington Jefferson high school hockey that appeared on Bloomington Educational Cable. Strangis' earliest national exposure was as play-by-play man and ring announcer
Ring announcer
A ring announcer is a paid in-ring employee for a boxing, professional wrestling, or mixed martial arts event or promotion...
for the American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, where he worked alongside Lee Marshall, and later Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, in the waning days of that promotion.
Although he had quite a bit of broadcast experience, his tryout as color commentator on the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
radio network was a longshot—with other better-known sportscasters getting more air time during the auditioning process. As the story goes, five prospects split up a game as guest commentators alongside Al Shaver, then voice of the Minnesota North Stars. The two better-known talents each took a period and then the three longshots split up the third—with Strangis going last. When Al Shaver was asked who he liked the best, he chose Strangis. Ralph shone in his audition, with the perfect ability to complement Shaver's play-by-play with insights from the players and his own intimate knowledge of the game. When the Stars moved to Dallas in 1993, Shaver decided to not to migrate south with the franchise and retired. After two more seasons as color commentator (teaming with Mike Fornes), Strangis migrated to the play-by-play mic, effectively cementing his status as the "Voice of the Stars."
Ralph and Razor
In 1996 former NHL goalie Daryl "Razor" ReaughDaryl Reaugh
Daryl "Razor" Reaugh , is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender, now a color commentator for the Dallas Stars of the NHL, the The NHL on Versus and Hockey Night in Canada.-Playing career:...
joined Strangis as the Stars' color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
, thus creating the popular duo "Ralph and Razor". The two have achieved a near cult-like following in the city of Dallas, so much so that, even though fan support and Dallas' media market size could easily support separate radio and television broadcast teams, the Stars have elected to continue simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
ing the pair. In 2008, the Stars added in-arena radio (on 97.5FM) allowing fans yet another opportunity to hear the popular team.
In a poll conducted by the Dallas Morning News, his most famous line was voted the most memorable moment in Dallas history. "Hull scores! Yes! Yes! Yes! The Stars win the Stanley Cup, the Stars win the Stanley Cup!"
Personal life
Strangis is active in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. He serves as a motivational speakerMotivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
, discussing his successful bout with alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
and drug addiction. He also appeared in the play Don't Dress for Dinner at a theater in Coppell, Texas
Coppell, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 35,958 people, 12,211 households, and 9,781 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,418.5 people per square mile . There were 12,587 housing units at an average density of 846.6 per square mile...
, where he currently resides along with his wife Stephanie and daughter Savannah.
Other appearances
In the 2006 film Glory RoadGlory Road (film)
Glory Road is an American sports film directed by James Gartner, based on a true story dealing with the events leading to the 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, in which the late Don Haskins – played by Josh Lucas – head coach of the Texas Western College led a team...
, Strangis has a speaking role as a courtside broadcaster. He was a contestant on the game show Press Your Luck
Press Your Luck
Press Your Luck is an American television daytime game show created by Bill Carruthers and Jan McCormack. It premiered on September 19, 1983 on CBS and ended on September 26, 1986. In the show, contestants collected "spins" by answering trivia questions and then used the spins on an 18-space game...
in 1984.
External links
- Official Broadcaster Bio on Dallas Stars Website
- "Strangis Takes His Act To The Stage" at the Dallas Stars' official website
- Official Website