BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Legendary Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret died Thursday at the age of 81, his family announced through the team late Thursday night.
On behalf of the Jeanneret Family
It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Rick Jeanneret, Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Buffalo Sabres. Rick died on August 17, 2023 with his family by his side after a two year battle with multi-organ failures.
He will be loved forever.
Jeanneret, a St. Catherines, Ontario native, started his broadcasting career in Buffalo in 1969 for the Bisons. The Sabres called him to discuss a job, and he began his 51-year career with the team in 1971. Jeanneret began calling games on the radio and joined the team's TV broadcasts in 1995. He retired at the end of the 2021-22 season as the longest-tenured play-by-play announcer in NHL history.
He was a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, as a recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award. The award is selected by the NHL Broadcasters' Association in recognition of those in the radio and television industry who made outstanding contributions to their profession and the game during their career. In addition, he was a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame, Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Township of Terrace Bay, Ontario's Sports Wall of Fame.
The team also released statements on behalf of owner Terry Pegula and head coach Kevyn Adams following the announcement.
On behalf of Terry Pegula
Rick was indeed a very special and very loved man, to and by all, who knew him and listened to him, his magic, and his command. How glad I am to have known him. How lucky were we all to have been around him and to have listened to him. Rick Jeanneret's mark on Sabres history extends far beyond the broadcast booth and we will miss him dearly. I extend my deepest condolences to Sandra, Rick's family, friends, and all that were loved by him.
On behalf of Kevyn Adams
Growing up in Buffalo, Rick Jeanneret was not just the voice of the Sabres, he was the voice for our city. He helped foster my love of hockey, along with so many others. Beyond the booth, Rick was an incredible man that was loved by all. His wit and humor was unmatched and we are all lucky to have known him. I am heartbroken by his passing and send my condolences to his wife, Sandra, and all of his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
The legendary play-by-play announcer had a banner hung from the rafters late in the 2021-22 season,before his retirement. He is one of only 11 members of the Sabres organization to have a banner raised to the rafters.
Before the ceremony at "RJ Night," 7 Sports director Matt Bové sat down one-on-one with Jeanneret.
"The fans are my life, as far as I'm concerned," Jeanneret told Bové. "They've treated me so well since game one. I don't even feel like this was a job, I think this was just a calling that turned into something incredible."
Over the years, Jeanneret had several partners in Sabres broadcasts, including Ted Darling, Jim Lorentz, Harry Neale, Dan Dunleavy, Rob Ray and Martin Biron. The latter two experienced both working with Jeanneret in the booth and having their plays on the ice called by him as members of the Sabres.
Ray said of Jeanneret in 2022, "he just loves the people and he wants to be around the people, and he just wants to put a smile on everybody's face."
Jeanneret battled throat cancer in 2014, receiving support from the organization and from Sabres fans as he received treatment at ECMC and Cancer Care of Harlem Road. After recovering, he returned to the team and continued to call plays until the end of the 2022 season, although sometimes in a limited capacity. In his final season, he called 20 regular season games.
