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New York Islanders’ Howie Rose: The Top Calls

New York Islanders play-by-play announcer Howie Rose is retiring from the post after more than two decades of brilliant calls.

One of the best in the business is vacating the mic.

Howie Rose, the longest-tenured play-by-play man in New York Islanders history, is calling it quits after a lengthy Isles career that spanned more than two decades.

Rose, who is widely regarded as the creme de la creme in the sports broadcasting business, will remain the New York Mets’ play-by-play announcer (although it is being speculated that he will request a reduced workload next season).

Since 1985, Rose has been a constant on MSG Network, first as a substitute announcer for Rangers radio broadcasts, then as the regular radio play-by-play guy, and finally as the Isles’ PBP broadcaster.

He has been paired with Ed Westfall, Joe Micheletti, Billy Jaffe, and Butch Goring. He cited an arduous workload as the reason for his departure.

“It’s the textbook definition of mixed emotions,” Rose said, via Neil Best of Newsday. “That’s exactly what it is. I don’t know that I’ve ever been more conflicted about a decision I have had to make in my life. But I’m confident I made really the only one I could make at this point in time in my career and life.

“Strictly, it’s the idea that I could have an offseason like most people who do what I do for a living. Maybe my wife would disagree on some level, but I think it’s only right that she has her husband around more than he’s been. Again, that might be open to her interpretation.

“But at the end of the day it’s something that I do with, as I say, the epitome of mixed emotions.”

Despite suffering through many dismal seasons, Rose still managed to convey a sense of professionalism, energy and excitement. He can also be credited with some of the best calls in the history of hockey. Here are some:

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Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.