Sad news comes to us today out of South Bend, where Notre Dame play-by-play man Mike Lockert passed away in his sleep this morning.

Mike was one of those people who was just thrilled to be working in and covering the game. He talked last year in Denver at the Frozen Four about how much he enjoyed college hockey, after having spent time in the past with other major sports, so he brought an interesting perspective. It was fun to see how someone relatively new to the game had come to see and appreciate the things we have enjoyed about it. His enthusiasm for the game and Irish hockey was infectious. You couldn’t help but smile being around him or listening to him call a game.

I remember talking to him after the championship game, and how disappointed he was at Notre Dame’s loss. And saying to him that the way things are going, he’ll get more chances to call a national championship — and might be right back here again next year. I never would have thought this would have happened.

So it is with much sadness that we at CHN remember Mike today and ask you to keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Friday, February 27th, 2009 - 5:46 pm | Commentary