Al Morganti On John Saunders: 'Best I've Ever Worked With'

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The sports world lost one of its most legendary and respected broadcasters on Wednesday, when John Saunders passed away at the age of 61.

The Canadian born analyst joined ESPN in 1986 and was best known as the host of Sports Reporters, as well as for his coverage and passion for hockey.

94WIP Morning Show co-host Al Morganti worked as a hockey analyst for ESPN from 1993-2005 and had the pleasure of getting to know Saunders.

"I was a really, really good friend with John Saunders. He was the nicest guy I ever worked with and the best -- the best. He was a great hockey fan...I worked with him on the set for six or seven years, he had no ego. It was incredible to me, because he was the best. I mean the smoothest guy and when you are doing that job as an analyst it's hard to have no ego. Because he knew the sport, but he would never come on like I know everything. He would set you up so that you were the expert and that's hard to do. And he was so smooth and so nice.

Listen: Al Morganti's Tribute to John Saunders

When you meet TV people, there's a lot of ego going on and they want to look good. You can't tell them anything before, because they'll take the stuff -- never with John. John's whole point was to get the game across and in an era -- ESPN kind of lost its way with yellers and screamers. He was a guy who was old school. He knew his stuff cold and he didn't think his personality was bigger than what he covered. He was the best. He was just the best I've ever worked with."