Murrysville native hired as new Root Sports Penguins announcer

PITTSBURGH — There will be a new voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins on TV broadcasts beginning next season.

Steve Mears has been hired by Root Sports as the play-by-play broadcaster for Penguins games, according to news releases by the team and the cable network.

“Steve is a tremendous natural talent who has established himself league-wide as a first-class professional broadcaster,” said Shawn McClintock, general manager of Root Sports. “The fact that he grew up in the Pittsburgh area rooting for the Penguins is an added bonus.”

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Mears is from Murrysville and graduated from Franklin Regional High School.

He’s been the co-host of "NHL Live" and "NHL Now" on the NHL Network for the last 5 years. Before that, he was the radio voice of the New York Islanders.

This is Mears' second stint in Pittsburgh. He worked for the Penguins' radio network from 2009-2013.

Paul Steigerwald will move into a communications and marketing role in the Penguins' front office. His contract with Root Sports expired at the end of the 2016-17 season.

“There is no one more passionate about Pittsburgh Penguins hockey than Paul Steigerwald,” said Travis Williams, the team’s chief operating officer. “Steigy has been a loyal and dedicated part of the organization for more than 35 years and will continue to be a valuable asset in this new position.”

Mears will continue to appear on the NHL Network for the next month.

Cox Media Group