PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins hired Mike Lange to do radio play-by-play for the 2006-07 season, barely a month after the local cable network that carries the games opted not to renew his contract.

Lange agreed to the one-year deal on Thursday. Lange has done Penguins radio or TV continuously since 1976, peppering his broadcasts with colorful catch phrases like, "Look out, Loretta!" after goals.

"We are delighted that Mike will bring his unique style and extensive experience to the Penguins' radio booth," said Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan. "For much of his early career with the Penguins, he did radio play-by-play, and then for a number of years his calls were simulcast on both radio and television. We know he's very comfortable on the radio side."

Lange told The Associated Press he enjoys radio work, but is still stinging from FSN Pittsburgh's decision not to renew his TV contract in June. FSN Pittsburgh owns the Penguins' television rights and controls the hiring of TV announcers. The team owns its radio rights.

"I've got enough pride in my own work to say that I don't have to respect that decision," Lange said. "But I'll earn that respect again. I'll get it back."

Many fans criticized the TV network's decision on radio talk shows, in letters to the editor and in newspaper chat rooms.

"One of the big reasons I agreed to come back and do this has been because of the fans. It's such a loyal city," Lange said. "It's scary, even, what people give of themselves to the teams here."

Lange said he does not know what the future holds beyond this season.

"It's a one-year deal. That's all they wanted to do," Lange said. "There wasn't much room for negotiations. They're going to give me the opportunity to go back in the booth and do what I've been doing for years — and jobs in this business don't grow on trees."

In 2001, the Hockey Hall of Fame Lange gave Lange the Foster Hewitt Award for outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster. Lange credits the award to trademark phrases like "Scratch my back with a hacksaw!" and the good fortune of working during Mario Lemieux's Hall of Fame career, including Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992.

Phil Bourque, who played on those teams, will be Lange's color commentator. Paul Steigerwald, Lange's one-time sidekick, will move from radio to TV play-by-play duties this season. Bob Errey, another former player on the Stanley Cups squads, will be the TV color man.

Lange often says "Elvis has just left the building!" after decisive late-game goals, signaling that the Penguins have all but won another game. But on Thursday, Lange tailored the phrase to sum up his current job situation.

"I didn't have to say, 'Mike Lange left the building,"' Lange said, "At least not yet."