Pang says heartfelt goodbye to St. Louis after 14 seasons

After 14 years in St. Louis, TV analyst Darren Pang will be leaving Bally Sports Midwest to take a TV analyst position with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played all 81 of his NHL games. Before he heads north, though, Panger penned this heartfelt letter to fans in St. Louis.

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.

"It takes a leap of faith, you gotta show some guts,It takes a leap of faith to get things going,There in your heart, there you must trust…"

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.

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….

"Where it began, I can't begin to knowing,But then I know it's growing strong…Hands, touching hands,reaching out, touching you, touching me…"

I was full on singing (yelling might be more accurate) and sure enough I nearly went toppling down right through the chair. The look on JK's face was priceless and he was blown away by what I was doing. It never stopped. On the plane, on the team bus to the hotels, in the Blues interview room. I love my music, and thankfully, so did Tim Pabst and Phil Mollica, who are two of the very best you could ask for as far as producers and directors at Bally Sports Midwest. They make the show sing, literally. Boy, have we had some laughs. The TV side will always be in great shape with Tim and Phil along with Julie Free and of course, the great Kim Eberle and the entire production crew.

Our broadcast gang on the road is one that other teams speak so highly of. And why wouldn't they? We have had an incredibly fun ride. When Chaser was on the radio side, he'd have dinners set, people to see, bars to go to. We had pillows and blankets on our airplane seats and were treated like gold. We had it great. When Joe Vitale took over for Chaser, our italian dinners on the road went to another level. He and Chris Kerber are also great together. Kerbs does a great job on the broadcast, a really passionate guy that cares about the game, the team and the city. I've learned a lot about life with these friends of mine. Life lessons. Raising kids, dealing with travel and real life. Boy, we've all had some talks. And laughs.

Soon after arriving to St. Louis, I moved down to the ice level position between the benches while Bernie handled the studio show with Pat Parris and then Scotty Warmann and Alexa Datt. I loved every minute of my time there meeting fans, friends, taking selfies and high-fiving the kids. There are many people that I'd anticipate seeing as I enter the benches, but none more than Laila. I got to see her beat HLH and the friendships and the support she had, and that was way before she became famous. It started with Chaser to Alexander Steen in the hospital, behind the scenes, discreet - and that meant so much to her and her great family. Chaser, Steener and Colton Parayko still text her often, and that tells you what these players are all about. How many non-players or organizational people have their names on Stanley Cup rings? Laila does. What an inspiration and a great kid she is.

While the players warm-up and go through their rituals, one of my favorite moments is yelling at Robert Bortuzzo. "You ready to go Bobbo? Let's go!" or seeing Brayden Schenn always bring a puck to the fans that are on the bench for warm-ups, saying hello and being, well, just being him - a really good person. Sometimes guys would just slide up on the boards and ask me questions like, "How do you beat this goalie?" Or how many times did Alex Pietrangelo lean over the boards to look at a replay next to me and ask a question as the game was going on? The feeling of being trusted in those moments is what makes my job the best there is. Trust is so integral for a broadcaster with players and the coaches and the management team. My heartfelt thanks goes to the incredible groups I've worked with here in St. Louis.

We've been incredibly fortunate to be on this ride with Doug Armstrong at the helm. Many great general managers before him haven't been able to deliver the Stanley Cup, but he and his great staff did just that. Army and I have enjoyed many hockey talks, a few cold ones and our passion for golf together. Much more than hockey and business, he is a friend. I won't say where our lunches over a few cold ones land, but they will continue. Thanks Army!

"No retreat baby, no surrender"

That's the 2018-19 champs. I know it says "Play Gloria" on the ring, but I always had Bruce's song - "No Surrender" - on my mind that entire run. The resilience, the togetherness, the ability to check their ego at the door at the most important times. It was the land of hopes and dreams, for sure. What a group of players.

I remember asking Craig Berube a question when the regular season ended that year. It went something like this: "Chief, is there anything us broadcasters need to do or change as the playoffs begin?" He said "Like what?" I said "well, should we not be in the locker room or around certain areas? Some guys want to change everything and get real serious when the playoffs start."

Chief said "Panger, if we are going to win 16 games and the Stanley Cup, then I don't want anything to change. I want normal." I responded "Great Chief, then if we head West, I'm bringing my clubs with me." He laughed like only Chief can. Man is he a great person and coach. I'm so fortunate that I was able to be alongside this ride with him. I did bring the clubs. Just ask Vitale about the night he heard a ball being chipped in the hotel hallway at around 2 a.m. Classic. That was "normal." And that's what Chief wanted. Don't change, he said. And none of us did. Even-keeled was always the key, until you get a real HOLY JUMPIN that is!

There were plenty of Holy Jumpin' moments for me over the years.

• Watching T.J. Oshie flip pucks in warm-ups with Ray Barile tossing pucks, hands like you read about. What great spirit Osh had. A winner.
  • Barret Jackman, scoring that overtime playoff goal from just inside the blue line. And just Jax being Jax. He played the game the correct way.
  • Steener inexplicably going behind the net, stealing the puck from Jonathan Quick…..on a 3-vs-5 shorthanded play to win the game. A Holy Jumpin' of all Holy Jumpins' and one of my all-time favorite people and players.
  • Troy Brouwer in Game 7 vs. the Blackhawks on home ice. Big time player, great person, just whacked that one in.
  • Alex Pietrangelo in the final seconds of the first period in Game 7 at Boston. Cool as a cucumber, never fazed.
  • Jordan Binnington, Games 5 and 7 in Boston, those first periods. Named after Micheal Jordan, a little MJ in him stoned the crowd and the Bruins. Thanks for coming!
  • Jon Hamm in our booth. The magic. The Barbashev calls. A real fan and a great person.
  • There are so many more...

I always dreamt of winning the Stanley Cup as a player. It never happened in my brief playing career, but I have been on the ice as a national broadcaster for many. I've interviewed some of the greatest that have ever played the game and watched grown men cry in celebration.

When I arrived in St. Louis, a Stanley Cup seemed so far away. But as the years went on, from Andy Murray, Davis Payne, Ken Hitchcock and Mike Yeo, there were some incredible playoff series against teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks, powerhouses in the Western Conference. There was a window, though, that I felt could lead to one or more Cups for the Blues. The culture with the players, the expectations after some great trades and then when Chief took over the reigns, it felt like they would never lose.

And the boys didn't.

I've been asked many times about the Blues winning it all. The broadcasters aren't part of the winning, not at all. The players on the ice win it - they are the champs. But we sure felt like champs, and I am forever grateful with how we - the broadcasters - were treated by Tom Stillman and the ownership group, the management team, the coaching staff, and of course, the players. The flights, the bus rides, the dinners, the incredibly late nights, the "let's just have one more" together, the friendships. They will last forever.

When I made this decision, I picked up my cell phone to call JK. I knew it would be hard.

John Kelly, my partner of 14 seasons. I've watched his three kids - Patrick, Meg and Gracie - grow up. Shy, quiet, respectful kids that are now young adults, and I just light up when I see them. How many chicken strips did Meg go get me halfway through games? I can't count. I loved when his kids were around the rink. They adore their dad and love the Blues. To see their love for their mom, Jennifer, as she battled breast cancer - she was so strong and brave and never made it about her. And JK is the ultimate pro. His preparation is unmatched. He loves the game and you fans are in great hands. I always knew going into a game that JK was ready. I could feel when he was going to take a breath during a sequence in the game. I'd jump in, make a point and get out. On many occasions, I went long or I actually called a goal! "Joel Edmundson!! Scores! His first NHL goal!"

Love ya, JK. You put up with my energy, my love for music and lyrics - even though Tim and Phil had to tell you who the artist was, what the song was, and what the heck I was talking about! You're a Hall of Famer, and Blues fans are lucky to have you. I was so fortunate to share broadcasts together. We had some of the very best times and games. Keep calling the heck out of it, pal.

As you can probably tell, I really don't know how to end this. Decisions like this one don't get made overnight. They are painstakingly difficult, especially when you care so much about a place, a job and the teammates that surround you.

So for now, I just want to say thank you - to everyone I've mentioned, to everyone I may have forgotten to mention, but especially to you - the fans. You made this ride one that I will never forget.

I'll forever be indebted for my time with the Blues and Bally Sports Midwest.

Thank you for everything.

See you soon,