Voice of the Wolves howling for 57 years

"Welcome to hockey night in Sudbury.”

Anybody in Sudbury who has ever attended a Sudbury Wolves home game over the past half a century, will recognize the familiar greeting as Berk Keaney's calling card.

The public address announcer for the Sudbury Wolves hockey team, has been calling out goals and penalties for the local OHL team at the Sudbury Arena for the past 57 years.

Ever since picking up the announcer's microphone for the first time on Nov. 16, 1953, Keaney has continued to crawl up the stairs to what has since been named the Berk Keaney Announcer's Booth, at the local barn for each and every Wolves' home game.

On Jan. 22, the man, who has become a legend in his own right, was recognized for his dedication and contribution to the world of sports in the city, as Mayor John Rodriguez officially proclaimed the date Berk Keaney Day within Greater Sudbury.

“Berk Keaney has rallied the support of hockey fans, from coast-to-coast, including countless supporters from Greater Sudbury and across northern Ontario,” the mayor said. “This 57th season as public address announcer for the Sudbury Wolves hockey team, is at the very least, an Ontario Hockey League record.”

The 88-year-old was joined by his family for the celebration, packing the foyer at Tom Davies Square. He said he was shocked and humbled by the recognition. “When you do something you enjoy, you don't expect to be rewarded for it.”

Tinkering in radio at one point in his life, Keaney said he had considered leaving his job to pursue his passion full time. But with 16 years already under his belt at Inco, he thought better of it and instead stayed on as the Wolves' announcer on a part-time basis.

Keaney said he's always loved the job, and especially the people he's crossed paths with as a result.

“The greatest hockey fans in Canada are right here in Sudbury,” he said. “I've had the chance to see some of the greatest players who have ever played the game. There are so many NHL players who got their start right here in Sudbury, we have one right here in coach Mike Foligno.”

The general manager and head coach of the Sudbury Wolves, was on hand for the celebration and shared his memories of the announcer.

“I know from the time I used to play for the Wolves many years ago, it was always a proud moment to have Berk announce your name when you scored a goal,” Foligno said. “His excitement was our excitement, and the fan's excitement.

“Many years have gone by, but the one constant has been (his) voice,” he continued. “(He) has an uncanny ability to use (his) voice to announce and give proper recognition to those athletes that should be applauded for a job well done.”

Stew Kernan, who has been commonly reffered to as the voice of the Sudbury Wolves, set the record straight during the celebration.

“People always refer to me as the voice of the Sudbury Wolves, but I always make sure I clarify and say I'm the radio voice of the Sudbury Wolves. There's only one voice of the Sudbury Wolves and that's Berk Keaney.”

Kernan recalled the first time he ever heard Keaney's voice, at the firstWolves' game he attended in December 2002. “People always told me that once you got to the arena, there would be something that would really make you feel at home — they said it was the voice of Berk Keaney. It's one of the first things I heard when I came into the arena, and they were certainly right.”

Keaney admitted he never imagined he'd still be announcing the games more than half a century later.

“Who knew that 57 years ago, when I asked for a no-trade contract, that anyone would take me really seriously?” he said, laughing.

“I need to say one last thing to those young men wearing those Sudbury Wolves jerseys,” he added. “When I started this job, I said I would retire when the Wolves won the Memorial Cup. As you can see, gentlemen, I'm not getting any younger.”