Florida Panthers TV Analyst Denis Potvin Hangs Up Microphone

SUNRISE, FL — After 21 seasons in the broadcast booth for the Florida Panthers hockey club, color television analyst Denis Potvin announced recently that he is hanging up his microphone.

“I have been blessed to work in industries where team work was essential for success,”explained the 65-year-old Potvin. “When I think of the play-by-play announcers, producers, directors and tape operators I have worked with, not to mention the camera support, it’s no wonder why I loved every minute of being a broadcaster."

Panthers President and CEO Matthew Caldwell called Potvin a legend in the sport.

“On behalf of the entire Florida Panthers organization, we want to thank Denis for his tremendous contributions to our franchise both as a broadcaster and as an ambassador of hockey in South Florida,” said Caldwell.

Prior to becoming a member of the Panthers inaugural broadcast team during the 1993-94 season, Potvin was a cornerstone of the New York Islanders four Stanley Cup Championship teams from 1979-80 to 1982-83 and served as captain for eight seasons

"I’ll miss the interaction and the fun, but I feel that it’s time for me to step away," Potvin explained. "Since the day that Bill Torrey and Mr. Huizenga brought me on board in 1993, I’ve been blessed to watch hockey grow in South Florida."

He said it's been exciting to see the Panthers of present and past — from Pavel Bure to Roberto Luongo and the young core of Panthers now led by Aleksander Barkov.

"While it will be an adjustment to step away from my broadcasting career, I look forward to spending more time with my family and grandchildren," he said. "I want to thank the Florida Panthers players, coaches, staff and fans for the memories and privilege of being a part of this franchise’s history.”

FOX Sports Florida Senior Vice President and General Manager Steve Tello said that Potvin has been a tremendous ambassador for hockey while serving in the booth.

“He brought great knowledge and a Hall of Fame perspective to every one of our telecasts throughout his 21-year tenure in the broadcast booth," Tello said. "We deeply appreciate his partnership with us and wish him all the best.”

Potvin's move into broadcasting came with Sports Channel NY in 1989. He has called both NHL regular season games and Stanley Cup Playoff games in French and English, having worked with the Sunshine Network, Sports Channel Florida, ESPN and FOX Sports Florida as well as Sportsnet and Radio Canada where he called the 2004 Olympics in Torino Italy.

“I am proud to call Denis Potvin a colleague and most importantly, a friend,” said Panthers Vice President of Broadcasting & Alumni Randy Moller. “His knowledge, advice, generosity and class are second to none and I would not be where I am in my broadcasting career today without him. It has been a true honor to work alongside Denis over the last 20 years and I wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.”

Selected by the New York Islanders as the first overall pick of the 1973 NHL Entry Draft, Potvin was the cornerstone of the New York Islanders four Stanley Cup Championship teams from 1979-80 to 1982-83 and served as captain for eight seasons (1979-80 to 1986-87). A three-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman (1975-76, 1977-78, 1978-79), Potvin hung up his skates following the 1987-88 season.

Potvin appeared in 1,060 career NHL regular season games, all with the NY Islanders between 1973 to 1988, producing 1,052 points (310-740-1,052) and a career plus-456 rating. The native of Ottawa, Ontario, ranks fifth in goals, seventh in points and 10th in assists, while owning the franchise record for all three categories among Islanders defensemen.

In the postseason, Potvin played in 185 career playoff games, amassing 164 points (56-108-164). Among NHL defensemen all-time in the playoffs, Potvin ranks second in goals, fourth in points and seventh in assists.

Potvin was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

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