Rick Jeanneret, HOF broadcaster and voice of Sabres, dies at 81 - ESPN

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rick Jeanneret, the voice of the Buffalo Sabres through a 51-year broadcasting career and the Hockey Hall of Fame's 2012 Foster Hewitt Award recipient, died Thursday. He was 81.

The Sabres released a statement from Jeanneret's family saying he died with his family by his side following a two-year battle with multi-organ failure. «He will be loved forever,» the family's statement said.

Jeanneret — or RJ, as he was affectionately known — was part of Sabres broadcasts on either radio or TV since the 1971-72 season, the franchise's second, until he retired following the 2021-22 season. He had the longest play-by-play announcing career in NHL history.

«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,» Sabres owner Terry Pegula said. «How glad I am to have known him. How lucky were we all to have been around him and to have listened to him.»

It was in part through Jeanneret that Pegula became a fan of the Sabres and their famed French Connection line of the 1970s by listening to the team's games on radio while living in Pittsburgh. Pegula and his wife, Kim, bought the franchise in February 2011.

«Growing up in Buffalo, Rick Jeanneret was not just the voice of the Sabres, he was the voice of our city. He helped foster my love of hockey,» Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said.

«Rick was an incredible man that was loved by all,» Adams added. «His wit and humor was unmatched, and we are all lucky to have known him.»

In retirement, Jeanneret still attended Sabres games last season, making the trip from his home in nearby Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Jeanneret was known for having various signature calls, including, «Top shelf, where mama