Jeff Rimer to call his 2000th NHL game on Saturday

COLUMBUS, OHIO -Columbus Blue Jackets play-by-play announcer Jeff Rimer will call his 2,000th National Hockey League game on Saturday during the FOX Sports Ohio telecast of that night's contest between the Blue Jackets and Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The Blue Jackets will honor Rimer during a pre-game ceremony prior to the club's home game at Nationwide Arena vs. the Florida Panthers on Thursday, March 16.
Rimer has enjoyed a broadcasting career that spans over four decades, including the past 27 years calling play-by-play action on television for the Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals. The Toronto, Ontario native began his career CFAC-Radio in Calgary and then spent over four years working for the Canadian Broadcast Company, including serving as the network's gymnastics commentator during the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal. He also served as the sports director at CFCF-Radio in Montreal for eight years during which time he hosted Montreal Canadiens pre- and post-game shows.

Rimer moved to the Baltimore-area in 1984 as game host for the Capitals on Home Team Sports (HTS) and WDCA-TV and took over play-by-play duties in 1990. He also served as the sports director at WBAL-Radio in Baltimore, hosting pre- and post-game shows for Orioles baseball, co-hosted syndicated college basketball shows with Billy Packer and Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams and was a sideline reporter for Maryland Terrapins football. He was awarded a regional Emmy Award for his play-by-play work and won a United Press International National Broadcasting Award for his work at WBAL.
In 1993-94, Rimer was the play-by-play voice of the Capitals and the expansion Florida Panthers before taking over full-time in Florida the following season. He would spend 11 seasons with the Panthers before joining the Blue Jackets and FOX Sports Ohio prior to the 2005-06 campaign. The Columbus-Buffalo game on Saturday will be his 981st for the Blue Jackets on FOX Sports Ohio.
The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they host the Buffalo Sabres. Game time from Nationwide Arena is 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Eldorado Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, 97.1 The Fan FM, and online at BlueJackets.com.