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Beloved Buffalo Sabres Broadcaster Rick Jeanneret Passes Away at 81
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rick Jeanneret, the legendary voice of the Buffalo Sabres, at the age of 81. The Associated Press confirmed the news on Thursday, revealing that Jeanneret, a native of St. Catharines, Ontario, succumbed to multiple organ failure. His remarkable tenure as the Sabres’ broadcaster spanned an impressive 51 years, from 1971 to 2022.
While not a household name in Canadian sports broadcasting, Jeanneret was an iconic figure within the National Hockey League (NHL) community. He will forever be remembered as the voice of the Sabres, having left an indelible mark on the organization. Renowned for his passionate and electrifying calls, some of Jeanneret’s most memorable broadcasting moments have achieved legendary status. Among them, his iconic proclamation of “May Day, May Day,” when Brad May of Toronto, Ontario, scored the game-winning goal at 4:48 of overtime in game four of the 1993 Jack Adams Division semifinal, securing a thrilling 6-5 victory for the Sabres over the Boston Bruins. Another unforgettable catchphrase was “La-la-la-la-la-la-la LaFontaine,” which he would joyously utter every time Sabres superstar Patrick LaFontaine found the back of the net.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports broadcasting, Jeanneret was honored with numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2012, he received the prestigious Foster Hewitt Memorial Award and was inducted into the esteemed Hockey Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as a broadcasting legend. Additionally, Jeanneret was enshrined in the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2011, the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018. Notably, he is one of only five Canadians to be inducted into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame, located in Belfast, New York. Joining him in this esteemed group are former Sabres right winger Robbie Ray of Stirling, Ontario (inducted in 2009), boxer George Godfrey of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (inducted in 2009), cruiserweight boxer Bobby Gunn of Niagara Falls, Ontario (inducted in 2015), and boxer Joe Lannon of Charlottetown (inducted in 2018).
As we mourn the loss of Rick Jeanneret, his voice and passion for the game will forever echo through the memories of hockey fans worldwide. His remarkable career has left an indelible imprint on the sport, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of broadcasters and fans alike.
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