Danny Gallivan - one of the great play-by-play commentators
The late Danny Gallivan is one of four people being inducted into the CBC Sports Hall of Fame today. For many hockey fans in Canada (and in particular in Montreal) he remains one of the most unique play-by-play voices of all time. In some ways, he created his own language unique to the trade, bringing a lyricism to the game he was describing.
For many years, his partner in the broadcast booth was Dick Irvin.
In this comment recorded for the Good4Sports blog, Irvin talks about what he learned from Gallivan.
Dick Irvin pays tribute to Danny Gallivan from Bob Babinski on Vimeo.
Looking around the internet for material on Danny Gallivan, I came across this delightful bit from Mike Myers, recorded in 1986 for Hockey Night in Canada.
Mike Myers pays tribute to Danny Gallivan from Bob Babinski on Vimeo.
And finally, here’s the link to one of Danny Gallivan’s most famous calls — the Guy Lafleur playoff goal in 1979 to tie the game between the Canadiens and Bruins at 3.
Good4sports Blog 
Danny Gallivan retired from broadcasting just before I really started getting into watching hockey on TV. He and Bob Cole were the reasons why I enrolled in a Radio Broadcasting course back in the early 90’s…my dream was to become a hockey play-by-play announcer. Unfortunately at the time I was young and a bit intimidated to really persue a career in broadcasting. Today, I’m married and have a family and it would be difficult to persue this dream once again…but from time to time I do wonder “what if” If I could go back I would persue that dream 100%, but I’m afraid it’s a little too late. I still enjoy listening to old games that Danny Gallivan broadcasted, and I do enjoy listening to Bob Cole today.
he really was great, a bit before my time but I have had a chance to listen to him on classic games. An absolute treat to listen to.
No one could call a game like Danny.