Longtime Minnesota North Stars announcer Al Shaver has sadly passed away on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024. Shaver, a Canadian sportscaster, gained widespread recognition for his coverage of the Minnesota North Stars.
He was honored with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 1993 and is remembered as a distinguished member of the media section of the Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Born in Canada, Shaver pursued his passion for broadcasting after attending the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto, graduating in 1948. His broadcasting career took him through various radio and television stations across Canada, including Guelph, Ontario (CJOY), Calgary, Alberta (CJCJ), Medicine Hat, Alberta (CHAT), Edmonton, Alberta (CFRN), Montreal, Quebec (CKGM), Windsor, Ontario (CKWW), and Toronto (CKEY).
In 1967, Shaver became the voice of the Minnesota North Stars, providing play-by-play coverage for the team on WCCO Radio, later moving to KSTP-AM and WAYL-AM. Even after the North Stars relocated to Dallas in 1993, Shaver remained in the Twin Cities, choosing to continue his career there.
He transitioned to calling University of Minnesota men's hockey games for several seasons before retiring in 1996. However, Shaver briefly returned from retirement in 2000 when the NHL returned to Minnesota with the introduction of the Minnesota Wild.
He served as the team's announcer during their inaugural season in 2000-01, marking a memorable conclusion to his illustrious broadcasting career. Al Shaver's contributions to hockey broadcasting and his distinctive voice will be fondly remembered by fans for generations to come.
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