It's hard to imagine a Preds broadcast without either of the legends, Terry Crisp or Pete Weber. Although we will have the remainder of the 2021-2022 campaign with Crispy, I could not help but feel great sadness when he announced his approaching retirement on Saturday afternoon.
We often discuss how certain things can bring us back to our childhood or bring us back to that iconic moment that we've all had at some point during our sports fandom or even just life in general. Whether it's sitting on dad's shoulders walking down Second Avenue to a game as a child, watching the game with friends and family, or many other activities that fans do, simply hearing that voice takes you back to that exact moment and brings back all of those feelings you had at that exact time. It’s even happening to me as I write these words now.
Well, Terry Crisp has one of those voices that brings me back every time. From staying awake in the backseat for the post-game show on the long drive home or just watching the hundreds of Preds games over the years, this man played an incredible role in my life and words cannot express the gratitude I have for him.
As one of the few kids–or so it seemed–growing up in Nashville watching hockey, my greatest memories always involved Crispy. Whether it was the Preds first Stanley Cup appearance in 2004 or mom pulling me out of school early to attend one of the Preds luncheons while anxiously anticipating who would sit at our table.
Two particular luncheons come immediately to mind as if they happened yesterday. Sadly, I cannot remember the specific years, but they were nonetheless way back in the beginning. The first occurred shortly after Mike Dunham was announced the first Pred to ever compete in the Olympics. Dunham was my favorite player at the time, and I even purchased then, and still have to this day, his #1 USA hockey jersey. Unfortunately, I left my jersey at home that day not being able to have Dunham sign it, hopefully one day I will be able to see him and have him sign it (let me know if any of you all know Mike haha). Knowing that I was upset and realizing my mistake, Crispy took the time to hang out with me and my mom and ensure I got as many autographs as possible. I still have my yellow Preds hat and original Preds jersey where almost every player from the first three or four teams signed. That all started that day with Crispy. At least that’s how I remember it, thus it is special, nonetheless.
The second comes when me and mom were seated at a table with a young prospect out of Sicamous who was recently drafted from the Kelowna Rockets out of the Western Hockey League. This young prospect took the time to get to know me and genuinely showed that he cared about my love for hockey and could tell how much sitting next to him, if for only an hour or so, meant to me and my mom. Crispy came over and spoke with us also and told me that this kid from Sicamous would be a star. Little did I know that Crispy’s coaching senses were spot on. The prospect was, of course, Shea Weber.
Like I said, I could speak for hours and write pages upon pages about the experiences I have had with Terry Crisp. But even that would not bring justice to how much of an impact he has had on me, the Preds organization, and the city of Nashville as a whole. I am sure all of you have had similar experiences to me where just hearing Crispy’s and Weber’s voices brings you immediately back to a specific moment.
Please share these moments in the comments. I’d love to read them.
Hockey analysis will be in a separate entry discussing the upcoming road trip and the Preds' play as of late, but Terry Crisp is due an entry dedicated just to him.