1999, and was famous for his introduction, "Hello hockey fans!", and catchphrases such as "a ring-a-ding-dong dandy". During Flames telecasts, Whalen was memorable in showing high & intense enthusiasm with phrases such as, "put it out in front"!! or "oh they jam away"!! When Flames captain Lanny McDonald scored his 500th goal in 1989 (his final season & just prior to the team's Stanley Cup winning playoff run) on a wrap-around effort, Whalen made the call, "Otto battling for possession, gets it behind the net to McDonald, he scores!! He did it!! 500!!" Whalen also wrote a weekly column in the Calgary Sun newspaper for many years, and even after his retirement he continued to make occasional appearances on TV and still wrote his column. He also was a regular local host of the Children's Miracle Network telethon. Death Whalen died of a heart attack while on vacation in Venice, Florida in 2001. The broadcasting booth in Calgary's Scotiabank Saddledome (home of the Calgary Flames) was renamed the Ed Whalen Broadcast Booth in his honour. A year after his death, his wife released a CD of musical recordings Whalen made, with the proceeds going to charity. Championships and accomplishments Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Stampede Wrestling Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 1995) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Worst Television Announcer (1989) References External links Slam! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Ed Whalen Slam! Wrestling: Calgary honours Whalen Slam! Wrestling: Calgary rink named in Whalen's honour Slam! Wrestling: Whalen given fond farewell Slam! Wrestling: Calgary moving fast to immortalize Whalen Slam! Wrestling: Remembering the voice of Stampede Wrestling Slam! Wrestling: Calgary icon's curtain call Slam! Wrestling: Ed Whalen dies after heart attack 1927 births 2001 deaths Calgary Flames announcers Canadian colour commentators Canadian columnists Canadian television sportscasters National Hockey League broadcasters North American Soccer League (1968–1984) commentators People from Saskatoon Professional wrestling announcers Stampede Wrestling alumni