Photos: Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret through the years
Rick Jeanneret, the legendary play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Sabres, died Thursday night. Here is a look at RJ through the years.
Rick Jeanneret is seen in the press box at KeyBank Center on April 4, 2019.
Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret relaxes in the den of his Niagara Falls, Ont., home on Feb. 7, 2007.
Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret relaxes in the den of his Niagara Falls, Ont., home.
Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret interviews Punch Imlach in Memorial Auditorium in 1973
Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret poses for a photo in the press box at Memorial Auditorium in 1989.
Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret gets a breather from the activity before going on stage at Ryan Miller's annual Catwalk for Charity to benefit the Steadfast Foundation in 2013.
Rick Jeanneret, Tom Calderone and Lee Coppola share a laugh on Sept. 20, 2012, at the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame induction ceremony at WNED-TV studios.
Buffalo Sabres play-by play man Rick Jeanneret fires up Sabres fans as they party before Game 6 at HSBC Arena on April 24, 2011.
Buffalo Sabres alumni Gilbert Perreault, left, and Rick Jeanneret, center, meet with Billy Oshei, right, at the Sabres Alumni Fall Wine Festival at HSBC Arena on Nov. 3, 2005.
Pat LaFontaine and his family look on with Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret as LaFontaine's number is retired by the Sabres on March 3, 2006.
Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret speaks as Dominik Hasek is inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame on March 29, 2014.
Rick Jeanneret and Dale Hawerchuk with their Hall of Fane swords as they are inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame on Nov. 8, 2011.
Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret receives his Sabres Hall of Fame sword from owner Terry Pegula on Nov. 8, 2011.
Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret arrives for the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Brookfield Place on Nov. 12, 2012.
Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame inductees, Class of 2012 (top row, from left): Frank Sacheli, Eric Knuutila, Craig Wolfley, Rick Jeanneret, Ron Wolfley and Harry Jacobs. Bottom row, from left: Todd Miller, Kim Kaul and Joe Wolf.
Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret calls the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center on Oct. 13, 2016.
A helmeted Rick Jeanneret and Rob Ray call a Sabres game against the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center from between the benches on Nov. 12, 2013.
Longtime Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret talks to members of the media outside the Sabres dressing room on Nov. 9, 2012.
Rick Jeanneret speaks during the press conference announcing the 2012 inductees to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret smiles prior to the Sabres playing the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center on April 2, 2017.
A cutout of Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret and analyst Rob Ray in the stands for a game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center on April 1, 2021.
Rick Jeanneret poses with Kimberly Kaliszewski at a special meet-and-greet event at the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino on Feb. 10, 2022.
Legendary Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret is honored with a ceremony and a banner unveiled in the rafters before a game against the Nashville Predators at KeyBank Center on April 1, 2022.
Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret speaks as he is honored on "RJ Night" at KeyBank Center on April 1, 2022.
A banner honoring Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret is raised to the rafters of KeyBank Center on April 1, 2022.
Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret visits with Tim and Nick Fearby in the press box at KeyBank Center on April 16, 2022.
Buffalo Sabres players pose with Rick Jeanneret after defeating the Nashville Predators 4-3 at KeyBank Center on April 1, 2022.
Sabres forward Alex Tuch walks Rick Jeanneret out on the ice after defeating the Nashville Predators.
Buffalo Sabres fans thank Rick Jeanneret during the third period against the Nashville Predators.
Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret with stage manager Shani Faraci and statistician Rick Maloney during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Rick Jeanneret, the legendary play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Sabres who became one of the franchise's biggest icons over his 51-year career behind the microphone, died Thursday night, the Sabres announced.
The golden voice of the Sabres – that one-of-a-kind, high-pitched masterpiece that we marveled at every game night – has been silenced. But it will never fade from our hearts and minds.
Rick Jeanneret saw or called most of the biggest moments in Buffalo Sabres history, and in 2019, he shared some of his most memorable moments with The Buffalo News.
In a wide-ranging interview with serious and humorous moments, Jeanneret discussed his most memorable game, his favorite call, his relationships with players, autograph and photo seekers, and the Sabres' promising future.
Over the course of the season, The Buffalo News has chatted with Jeanneret to keep a diary of the memorable moments of his final broadcasts and even attended his "Sabres Road Crew" tribute in Las Vegas. Here's a look back at the season of "RJ."
The Buffalo Sabres honor longtime play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret before the game against the Nashville Predators.
The roar when Rick Jeanneret walked that blue carpet from the Zamboni entrance to take his place for Friday night's pregame ceremony was epic. And it didn't stop. We haven't heard any sort of ovation like that in KeyBank Center in ages.
The Buffalo Sabres honored longtime play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret in a pregame ceremony Friday in KeyBank Center. Jeanneret is retiring at the end of the month after 51 years with the Sabres.
“Rick takes a very simple approach,” Pete Weber says. “He watches the game and describes what he sees. I can’t think of a better way to approach life.”
Rick Jeanneret's final month with the Buffalo Sabres after 51 years starts Friday night. The man everyone calls "RJ" won't be behind the microphone once the game against Nashville starts, but he'll have his turn before any pucks are dropped because this night will be for him.
The Sabres' retiring play-by-play man made one final jaunt west with the team this week, attending a Sabres "Road Crew" event for the first time since before the pandemic.
Iconic Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret died Thursday at 81. RJ provided the soundtrack for hockey fans in Western New York and beyond. Here …