Sam Rosen's New York State Hall of Fame Event A Night To Remember

What can one say about Sam Rosen? The pro's pro. Beloved. Indomitable.

The laudatory salutes were endless for the eternal Rangers play-by-play legend as he was inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame last Saturday in Troy, New York.

Sam stood out alongside such noted HOF aces as Denis Potvin – I'll get to him later – Ed Westfall, Ken Morrow, Howard Dolgon and 1980 Olympic hero Mike Eruzione.

"One of the great things about Sam," said Dolgon, owner of the immensely successful AHL Syracuse Crunch, "is that he's as good as he's ever been."

The Maven seconded that motion.

Perfect "mensch" that he is, Rosen paid tribute to those who helped him soar to the top of hockey's broadcasting business.

"I started out working for United Press International," Sam recalled. "But before I got there, Jim Gordon – an all-time great – was doing play by play and it was a challenge to follow his act."

But Rosen did and in good time he won the hearts of Blueshirts fans whether it was a winning or a losing season. His trademark, "IT'S A POWER PLAY GOAL!" will endure forever.

Many of us believe that the Golden Age of Rangers television took place when Sam and John Davidson blended like perfectly meshed gears working the games.

"J.D. and I had a lot of fun together," Rosen allowed. "I was grateful to have had so many years with him."

Rosen's current – and also longtime – partner is Joe Micheletti with my former Fordham University journalism student, John Giannone, handling interviews and at the ice commentary.

"I have to give a great big hand to the behind-the-scenes guys who helped make our telecasts the best there is. Without them, we couldn't have won all those Emmys."

Sam was talking about John Gallagher, Kevin Meininger and Larry Roth; all of whom were sitting at my table.

"And a special 'Thank You' to my former boss, Joe Cohen, who was a huge help to my career."

Although the Islanders and Rangers are legendary rivals, Rosen commended honorees, Potvin, Westfall and Morrow and the Nassau dynasty which included four consecutive Stanley Cups and 19 straight playoff series victories.

And, by the way, Sam has endured decades of "Potvin Sucks!" chants at his Madison Square Garden booth. Astonishingly, they continue to this day although Denis retired as an active Islander in 1988, a long 36 years ago.

With that in mind, Potvin produced the prop that had the entire room laughing. At the podium he produced the prop that also doubled as his punch line.

"What the fans really were saying is........"

Then, a pause as Denis reached into his pocket and held aloft two pieces of white, inscribed footwear, which he showed to the packed hours..

"Those Rangers fans are really chanting 'POTVIN'S SOCKS!" And on closer look that's exactly what it said on each sock.

Even the now chuckling inductee Sam Rosen had to acknowledge The Maven's response to Potvin's pun.

"Denis delivered a terrific 'Foot-down' with his footwear!" And a parting congratulations to my good pal, Sam Rosen!