Calgary lost one of its most recognizable voices Thursday with the death of Peter Maher, the play-by-play radio commentator who became synonymous with Calgary Flames hockey for more than three decades.
Maher, 79, called 33 consecutive seasons of Flames games after joining the team in 1980, just as the franchise relocated from Atlanta to Calgary. Over his storied career, he broadcast close to 3,000 games, becoming an institution in households across Alberta.
His distinctive voice and infectious enthusiasm—punctuated by catchphrases like "Yeah, baby!" and "You can put it in the win column!"—made him far more than a broadcaster. For generations of Flames fans, Maher was the game.
A Legacy Beyond the Booth
Maher's career highlights included calling the Flames' 1989 Stanley Cup championship victory, the team's 2004 Stanley Cup Finals run, and coverage of Canada's men's hockey team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, which culminated in a gold medal.
When radio broadcasts were the lifeblood of fan engagement—before widespread television coverage—Maher's responsibility to tell the story of every game weighed heavily on him. That dedication defined his approach to the craft.
"Peter's legacy extends well beyond the broadcast booth," the Calgary Flames organization said in a statement Thursday. "He was a passionate ambassador for the Calgary Flames, a devoted member of the community and a person whose warmth, generosity and love for the game touched countless lives."
Maher retired after the 2013-14 NHL season, closing the book on a career that spanned from the franchise's earliest days in Alberta through transformative decades of the sport.
From Toronto to Calgary
Born and raised in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Maher began his broadcasting career calling Toronto Maple Leafs games for the CKO Radio Network. When the opportunity came to move west and become the official voice of the Flames, he seized it—a decision he never regretted.
"That's the best thing that ever happened. The rest is history," Maher reflected during a 2018 CBC interview about his memoir, If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Calgary Flames' Ice, Locker Room, and Press Box.
"We've lost this huge storyteller of the history of the Flames."
—Rob Kerr, longtime Flames broadcaster and colleague
Rob Kerr, who shared the Saddledome press box with Maher for years, expressed deep sadness at his passing. Kerr highlighted Maher's unwavering commitment to his listeners and his remarkable ability to capture not just the action on ice, but the human stories that made hockey matter to fans.
In a career spanning 33 seasons, Maher proved that great broadcasting isn't about flashy theatrics—it's about authenticity, passion, and a genuine love for the sport and the community you serve. Those qualities made him irreplaceable to Calgary.
This story is based on reporting from CBC Calgary.