2014 Marty Award: PBP Announcer of the Year

The 2014 Marty for Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year goes to Kenny Albert, of NBC, NBCSN and the New York Rangers. Kenny was tremendous in 2014, especially the post-season, where he called both Conference Finals (the West for NBC and the East on the Rangers Radio Network) and Game 1 of the Finals. If there was ever any question who the successor to Doc Emrick would be once the Doctor retires, it should be clear now it’s Kenny.

Just think about the Conference Finals alone. Kenny did 13 games in that round -- seven in the West and six in the East. It required him going from Montréal to Chicago back to Montréal then back to Chicago then to New York to Los Angeles back to New York then back to Los Angeles and on and on. Safe to say he likely was the most traveled private citizen in the world those two weeks?

We are big fans of Kenny Albert here at NewJersey-Devils.com -- and it was with ease he’s our choice for PBP man of the year.

In second, Don LaGreca, also of the Rangers Radio Network, for one game he called -- and nearly suffered a heart attack calling -- Game 1 of the Finals.

If you haven’t heard that one yet -- the last minute of play -- we’ve embedded it here. It’s priceless.

Finishing in third -- Michael “Doc” Emrick, just because he is Doc.

@KennyAlbert calling Game 1 of the Finals on NBC

LOS ANGELES —

Here at NewJersey-Devils.com, we’re big fans of the great KENNY ALBERT.

Albert will call Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight for NBC.

Though we’re not sure who died, we are told it is because there was a death in DOC EMRICK’S family.

Albert was perhaps the busiest man in America the last two weeks. He called every Conference Final game — Kings/Hawks on NBC and NBCSN and the Rangers/Habs on the Rangers’ radio network.

In previous years, DAVE STRADER was NBC’s No. 2 guy this late into the playoffs, but this year, it was Albert, who joined JOE MICHELETTI and BRIAN ENGBLOM on the NBC broadcasts.

Kenny Albert is NBC’s no. 2 PBP in the conference finals

KENNY ALBERT

It appears Kenny Albert, the Rangers’ radio voice, is NBC’s choice for the Western Conference Finals on NBC and NBCSN.

We’re not sure if he’ll be doing all the games — but if he is, this is a great decision on NBC’s part. Albert has done a tremendous job over the years on the national level. And should be the heir apparent for when Doc Emrick ultimately retires.

Dave Strader had been the no. 2 guy on NBC and NBCSN for NHL games late in the post-season.

If he does do the rest of the Kings-Hawks series, it’ll mean he’s pretty busy the next two weeks — he’ll be going from Montreal to Chicago to Montreal to New York to Los Angeles and thensome.

Well done, Kenny.

Find Kenny Albert on twitter @kennyalbert ...