Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret passes away at 81

Rick Jeanneret, the beloved voice of the Buffalo Sabres, died at the age of 81 after a two-year battle with multi-organ failure.

Rick Jeanneret, who was known as the voice of the Buffalo Sabres and received the Hockey Hall of Fame's Foster Hewitt Award in 2012, passed away at the age of 81. Jeanneret's family released a statement saying that he died with his loved ones by his side after a two-year battle with multi-organ failure. The family expressed that he will be loved forever.

Jeanneret, affectionately known as RJ, had been a part of Sabres broadcasts since the 1971-72 season, either on radio or TV, until his retirement in 2022. He held the record for the longest play-by-play announcing career in NHL history. Sabres owner Terry Pegula spoke highly of Jeanneret, describing him as a special and beloved man with incredible magic and command.

Pegula credited Jeanneret for sparking his love for the Sabres and their famous French Connection line from the 1970s. Pegula and his wife purchased the franchise in 2011. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams also praised Jeanneret, stating that he was an incredible man loved by all, with unmatched wit and humor.

Even in retirement, Jeanneret continued to attend Sabres games last season, making the trip from his home in nearby Niagara Falls, Ontario. He was known for his signature calls, such as "Top shelf, where mama hides the cookies," whenever a Sabres player scored a high shot into the net. One of his most memorable calls was "May Day! May Day!" after Brad May's goal in the 1993 playoffs, which secured a series sweep of Boston and Buffalo's first playoff series win in a decade.

Jeanneret's other notable calls included "La-la-la-la-Fontaine!" for Pat LaFontaine's goals in the 1990s and "Now do you believe?" during the Sabres' 2006 playoff run. In 2012, he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, the highest broadcasting honor in the NHL, from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

During his final season, the Sabres honored Jeanneret by raising a banner with his name to the arena rafters. He joined a select group of 11 individuals, including team founders Seymour and Northrup Knox, who have been honored by the team. Jeanneret expressed his gratitude during the ceremony, emphasizing that being the voice of the Sabres was the only job he ever wanted.

Jeanneret, who grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, and spent much of his life in the Niagara region, called his first Sabres game on the radio in 1971 and joined the TV broadcast in 1995. He faced health scares throughout his career, including a throat cancer diagnosis in 2014 and the need for a pacemaker in 2016 due to a slow pulse.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, his children, Mark, Chris, and Shelly, and several grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

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