Strader first served as a broadcaster for the Red Wings' American Hockey League affiliate in Adirondack from 1979-85 before beginning his 11-year tenure as the television broadcaster for Detroit. Alongside close friend Mickey Redmond, Strader handled the play-by-play duties on WKBD and PASS Sports, the Red Wings' television broadcast partners prior the launch of FOX Sports Detroit. Strader quickly rose through the ranks and began working national hockey broadcasts in 1996 for ESPN, and later ABC and FOX. He also called games for the Florida Panthers (2005-07) and Arizona Coyotes (2008-11) before accepting a full-time job calling games nationally for the NBC Sports Group in 2011.
The Glens Falls, N.Y., native spent the last two seasons handling the play-by-play duties for the Dallas Stars, continuing to call games both locally and nationally following his cancer diagnosis in June 2016. In honor of over three decades of contributions to hockey as a broadcaster, it was announced in April that Strader was the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, and he will be honored on Nov. 13 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto when his plaque goes on display.
"The loss of Dave will certainly be felt throughout the hockey community," said Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Ken Holland. "I have known Dave since my days as a goaltender with the Adirondack Red Wings, and always considered him a great friend. He was one of the most iconic play-by-play announcers of his time and a true gentleman. He was a devoted husband and father, and his presence will be sorely missed in arenas throughout the league."
The Red Wings organization would like to offer its sincerest condolences to Dave's wife, Colleen, his children, Christopher and Casey, and his three grandchildren, as well as the Dallas Stars and all in the NHL hockey community who worked alongside him over the past 32 years.
