For all the times I’ve made fun of him, it hit me yesterday: I really like ‘Regis’ Pierre McGuire

‘Regis’ Pierre McGuire

I don’t quite get why “REGIS” PIERRE McGUIRE is so reviled across the country. Maybe it is jealousy because he gets the best standing seat in the house at NBC and NBCSN games. Perhaps it’s because sometimes, he asks silly questions.

But the other night, aside from when he uses the French pronunciation of Alain — you’re from Englewood, N.J.,  remember, Regis — it hit me: This guy is actually as good as it gets in a sport that doesn’t always get he most attention.

Sure, I’ve known he sometimes seeks out players who call him “Pierre” after his questions are over. He definitely loves when MARTIN St. LOUIS says “Thanks, Pierre.” After all, why else would he put a mic back at a player after the interview is over other than to see whether the player calls him by name.

Side note: The one time I really think McGuire loused things up bigtime was when PETER DeBOER and JOHN TORTORELLA screamed at each other between benches. He is where he is to report — and he didn’t report what they said — despite having an obligation to do so.

(For the record, ALAIN VIGNAULT says“Pierre,” whilst DARRYL SUTTER does not).

Yet aside from his little quirks, the guy loves this sport. And he loves explaining the game to others.

It seems in the world of announcing, no one is ever satisfied.

I still do not know anyone who likes JOE BUCK in baseball or football.

What hockey fan wouldn’t give anything for this ‘seat’ on a nightly basis?

I’ve yet to hear someone say “AL MICHAELS is great.”

Many say “GARY THORNE screams too much.”

I’ve even heard people say “I cannot stand BOB COSTAS doing baseball games.”

Even some people detest DOC EMRICK (those people are clearly mentally disturbed).

And McGuire is no exception to this rule.

But I guess I am the greater exception here — “Regis” Pierre McGuire really isn’t all that bad. And I just decided I wanted to say that.

Who is your favourite hockey announcer? Your least favourite?

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