Emrick to miss Bridgestone Winter Classic

Wednesday, 12.31.2008 / 2:40 PM / Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009

NHL.com

CHICAGO -- Hall of Fame broadcaster "Doc" Emrick will be unable to call Thursday's Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic due to laryngitis. Dave Strader, who is the play-by-play voice of the Phoenix Coyotes and has also worked for NBC Sports, will fill in for Emrick.

"Last year's game was a lifetime memory and I couldn't wait to call this year's game at Wrigely," said Emrick. "I'm extremely disappointed but I know Dave will do a wonderful job."

NBC's coverage of the Winter Classic begins at 1 p.m. ET Thursday, New Year's Day. Last season's inaugural U.S. outdoor NHL event was the highest rated regular season NHL game in the United States in more than a decade.