New York Islanders make a heartbreaking announcement on Monday.

The New York Islanders have made a very sad announcement.

On Monday morning, the Islanders released a statement that confirmed the passing of former Islanders radio voice John Sterling, one of the original voices of their franchise.

Here is that statement unedited and in full:

The New York Islanders are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of John Sterling, one of the original voices of the team.

The call "ISLANDER GOAL! ISLANDER GOAL!" over the radio waves from the '70s will live forever.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Sterling family, his friends, and all the fans that had the privilege to hear his voice paint the pictures of hockey and baseball games in our minds for the past 50 years.

Sterling actually began his professional sports broadcasting career all the way back in the World Hockey Association, where he served as the radio voice for the New York Raiders. It would be in 1975 that Sterling would get his gig with the Islanders and he would occupy that role for the next 5 years until 1980 when he fully transitioned to the sport of baseball.

Despite his humble beginnings in the WHA Sterling would work in baseball and eventually rise to the position of radio voice of the New York Yankees, Major League Baseball's most well recognized franchise. Sterling would serve in that role from 1989 all the way until 2024.

Throughout his career as a professional sports broadcaster Sterling amassed 12 Sports emmy Awards, an impressive achievement to put it mildly.

Early this year, in the month of February, Sterling revealed on WFAN radio, where he worked for many years, that he had suffered a heart attack one month prior in January although he appeared to be in good spirits.

Unfortunately Sterling is no longer with us but it is clear given the outpouring of love and support today that his contributions to sports broadcasting will never be forgotten.

My most sincere condolences go out to all of Sterling's loved ones and anyone impacted by today's terrible news.