Ed Whalen
Publicity photo from the Calgary Sun
Born(1927-07-08)July 8, 1927
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
DiedDecember 4, 2001(2001-12-04) (aged 74)
Venice, Florida, United States
Spouse(s)
Nomi Whalen
​
(m. 1967)​
[1]
Children5[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Ed Whalen
Debut1958
Retired1999

Ed Whalen (July 8, 1927 – December 4, 2001) was a Canadian television personality and journalist best known worldwide for hosting the popular professional wrestling TV series Stampede Wrestling. Whalen was also a popular sportcaster in Calgary, Alberta whose nickname "Wailin' Ed" was indicative of his famous nasal announcing voice.

Biography

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Ed Whalen was studying medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in 1948 when he dropped out to take a part-time job in radio broadcasting at CFQC radio. In 1955, he moved to Calgary and became the News and Sports Director for the new Calgary TV station CHCT (later popularly known as 2&7, and then Calgary 7, and later still as part of the Global Television Network).

Wrestling

Stu Hart was introduced to Ed Whalen while he promoted shows in Saskatchewan. In 1949, Ed was tapped to be the ring announcer on the shows there. Ed recalls one of his stints when he was just 21 and started in radio with his sign off of, "I'm 48 degrees and outside it's Ed Whalen." When Ed had the chance to apply for TV from radio in Saskatchewan, he jumped at the chance. The friendship with Stu was not forgotten as Stu, looking to air his program, contacted Ed Whalen. Whalen went to bat for Stu and the first program aired in 1957. Henry Viney was the first host of the show known as Wildcat Wrestling. In 1962, Ed took over as the host of the show and it was renamed to its run as Stampede Wrestling. It was bestowed the official Stampede name in 1975. Ed would be the host of the show from 1962 to 1983. It was there he would quit on air citing its violent and bloody matches and lack of family entertainment. Ed would rejoin Stampede Wrestling when it resumed in 1985 to 1989).[3] The show popularized several Whalen catchphrases including "It's going to be a ring-a-ding-dong dandy!" and his trademark sign-off, "In the meantime and in-between time." According to Ross Hart, Whalen, along with Helen Hart, were the only classy elements to the wrestling business, stating that Whalen and she added dignity to Stampede Wrestling.[4]

Hockey

After his time with Stampede Wrestling, Whalen became beloved by Calgarians as the television voice of the Calgary Flames on 2&7/Calgary 7 from 1980 (right after the city won the NHL franchise) until his retirement in 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

References

  1. ↑ Bad Judgment: The Myths of First Nations Equality and Judicial Independence in Canada. Rocky Mountain Books. 2014. p. ? pp. ISBN 978-1771600309.
  2. ↑ "Slam! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Ed Whalen". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  3. ↑ https://www.pressreader.com/canada/regina-leader-post/20170621/281595240530782. Retrieved 2018-06-05 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ McCoy, Heath (2007). Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling. ECW Press. p. 275. ISBN 978-1-55022-787-1.
  5. ↑ "Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. April 3, 2016.
  6. ↑ Whalen, Ed (host) (December 15, 1995). "Stampede Wrestling Builders". Showdown at the Corral: A Tribute to Stu Hart. Event occurs at 40:00. Shaw Cable. Calgary 7.
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