Howie Rose Stepping Down As Islanders TV Announcer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Howie Rose, the TV voice of the Islanders since 1995, is stepping down.

Rose informed MSG Networks of his decision Wednesday, Newsday reported. Also the radio play-by-play announcer for the Mets, Rose cited a desire to reduce his workload.

"I don't know that I've ever been more conflicted about a decision I've had to make in my life," Rose told Newsday. "But I'm confident I made really the only one I could make at this point in time in my career and life. Strictly, it's the idea that I could have an offseason like most people who do what I do for a living."

The Islanders posted a statement on their website Wednesday congratulating Rose "on a memorable 21-year career" as the team's TV play-by-play announcer.

"His voice has become synonymous with big Islanders moments, which culminated in his final game call of John Tavares' overtime, series clinching goal at Barclays Center in Game 6 of the team's first round Stanley Cup series against the Florida Panthers," the statement read. "We wish Howie and his family nothing but the best moving forward."

Rose's background also includes announcing Rangers games on MSG, including during the team's 1994 Stanley Cup championship run, and becoming one of the first talk show hosts on WFAN.