Jeanneret, longtime Sabres announcer, dies at 81

Rick Jeanneret, the voice of the Buffalo Sabres for five decades, died Thursday. He was 81.

"Growing up in Buffalo, Rick Jeanneret was not just the voice of the Sabres, he was the voice for our city," Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams said. "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."

Known simply as "RJ," Jeanneret called his first Sabres game on the radio Oct. 10, 1971, and moved to the television side in 1995. He retired as the longest-tenured play-by-play announcer in NHL history when he called his final game April 29, 2022, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Award in 2012.

He is also a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Township of Terrace Bay, Ontario's Sports Wall of Fame.

"Rick Jeanneret's unmistakable voice was the signature sound of Buffalo Sabres hockey for half a century," the NHL said in a statement. "He brought the essence of our game into the homes of Western New Yorkers with passion and excitement and a remarkable flair for capturing the moment. The National Hockey League is saddened by his passing and sends its condolences to his wife, Sandra, the entire Jeanneret family, and the countless Sabres fans whose love of the game was enhanced by listening to this legendary broadcaster."

Signature phrases like "May Day," "Scary good" and "Top shelf where Mama hides the cookies" helped make him the voice of several generations of Sabres fans.

Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Phil Housley, who played the first eight of his 21 NHL seasons with Buffalo and was Sabres coach from 2017-19, said in a social media post that Jeanneret was "one of the best."

"I am deeply saddened by one of the greatest @BuffaloSabres broadcasters & my good friend, Rick Jeanneret," Housley wrote. "I can still hear him calling, "Woowweee Housleeey" on the air, which has morphed into Howie, & is now our newest grandson. He was one of the best. #RIPRJ."

Jeanneret is one of 11 people who have been honored with a banner in the rafters of KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Former owners Seymour H. Knox III and Northrup R. Knox, and alumni Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, Rene Robert, Tim Horton, Danny Gare, Pat LaFontaine, Dominik Hasek and Ryan Miller are the others.

His banner was placed in the rafters April 1, 2022, and after a 4-3 win against the Nashville Predators, the Sabres brought Jeanneret onto the ice to join in their celebration and then into the locker room, where he was presented with the team sword, awarded to the player of the game following each victory.

One of the players on the ice that night was forward Alex Tuch, who grew up in Buffalo.

"Being a Sabres fan since I was 3 years old, it meant a lot to me to see someone who really propelled my love for the game to be honored in that way," Tuch said that night. "It was just a phenomenal night in general and it was great that we got to win, but afterwards just the applause and the gratitude that everyone showed him was phenomenal."

LaFontaine, a Hockey Hall of Fame forward who played for Buffalo from 1991-97, wrote in a social media post via his Champions in Courage Foundation, "Goodbye to my dear, RJ. I'll miss those hilarious private calls and cherish the public memories. We will be inextricably linked forever, and I'm so proud to have been your friend. I just hope you're now way above where 'mama hides the cookies.'"

Miller, a goalie for the Sabres from 2002-14 and their all-time wins leader (284), posted a photo of him shaking hands with Jeanneret. "I will always remember this wonderful man who was a true friend," he wrote.

Patrick Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks who also grew up in Buffalo, said Jeanneret is one of the reasons he became a Sabres fan.

"Sharing my sympathy with the Jeanneret family on Rick's passing," Kane wrote on social media. "He was one of the biggest reasons I liked the Sabres so much growing up. RIP RJ."

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere played for the Sabres from 2003-07, including scoring an NHL career-high 95 points in 2006-07 when Buffalo won the Presidents' Trophy for having the League's best record (53-22-7, 113 points).

"The Sabres family, the entire city of Buffalo and the National Hockey League lost an iconic voice of the game and a true gentleman," Briere said. "Personally, I have very fond memories having spent a significant portion of my career alongside Rick, and I will tell you that the calls he produced will live in a special place in my heart forever. My condolences to his wife, Sandra, and the entire Jeanneret family."

Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane, who played three seasons for Buffalo, said on social media that "Rick Jeanneret was one of the greats at broadcasting, lots of great memories hearing his voice on the highlights after games in Buffalo. Thank you for the great entertainment and rest in peace Rick."

Jeanneret is survived by his wife, Sandra, his children, Mark, Chris and Shelly, and several grandchildren.

"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.

"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."

Chris Ryndak of Sabres.com contributed to this report. Video via Buffalo Sabres