By Chris Brown

Bob Ridley the greatest of all time and synonymous with the Tigers, fans say

Aug 17, 2022 | 5:05 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – When the history of the Medicine Hat Tigers is written, a lengthy chapter will be dedicated to Bob Ridley. The voice of the Tigers called it a career this week after 52 years and more than 4,000 games in the broadcast booth.

“It’s been an ongoing process on when to retire, when not to retire and everything else but this past winter going through cancer treatment and so on I had a lot of time to think,” said Ridley on Tuesday. “And it was a lot of downtime for myself and my family I thought you know something now that I’ve got this extra time to think about it, maybe it’s time to back away.”

Since Ridley broke the news, tributes have poured in from the citizens of Medicine Hat and across the hockey and broadcasting worlds.

“Greatest of all time” and “nothing but class” were among the phrases used, and the notion of induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame was raised.

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Until this season Ridley, who famously doubled as the team’s bus driver for 45 years, missed only one game since stepping into the booth in 1970.

Late this season the Tigers celebrated Bob Ridley Night by raising a Ridley banner to the rafters of Co-op Place and the man returned to call the Tigers’ final game of the season on April 15.

Kevin Riehl played for the Tigers from 1988 to 1992 and still holds the all-time Tigers goal record, a call that of course was made by Ridley.

“He was the mainstay you know?” Riehl says. “Players come and go I was there for only four years and he did it for 52. So when you thought of the Medicine Hat Tigers it was basically Medicine Hat Tigers and Bob Ridley; they’re synonymous.”

After retiring from hockey Riehl shared the booth with Ridley on occasion.

“That was special to me to be up there and then you know he would give it over to me a few times and I would just try to match his talent but that’s not gonna happen.”

“Players come and go I was there for only four years and he did it for 52. So when you thought of the Medicine Hat Tigers it was basically Medicine Hat Tigers and Bob Ridley; they’re synonymous.” _{– Kevin Riehl}

Bob Reppnack is a season ticket holder so he doesn’t hear Ridley calling the home games often. When the team is on the road, Reppnack tunes in on the radio.

He says Ridley has a special gift for relaying the excitement of the game over the airwaves.

“I mean every shot is a potential goal, every play down the left side of the ice is a potential goal,” Reppnack says. “I mean, everybody remembers Brennan Bosch’s goal and Bob lost it and it was fantastic. Yep, that’s the kind of excitement.”

Everyone knows Ridley’s voice on the radio, but Reppnack has spent time with Ridley away from the rink. About eight years ago he fixed Ridley’s motorhome and then enjoyed drinks and stories on the legend’s deck.

He says if you know Ridley, you know he’s got stories.

“Well, there’s always the infamous one where you have to ask him what did he say on the radio that got him in so much trouble. And of course, he gave me that. I can’t give too many details but, uh, but if you know you know,” Reppnack says.

Ridley is one of the kindest guys you’ll ever meet, Reppnack adds, and his impact on the community goes far beyond his legendary game-calling work

“In Medicine Hat you know I’ve heard somebody refer to him one time that he’s Medicine Hat’s favourite grandfather. He’s your grandpa,” Reppnack says. “He’s a guy that you can’t help but love, he’s been supporting this, this city since I think 1970 if I’m not mistaken. He’s a pioneer here.”