Rick Jeanneret: 1942–2023

[KC Scouts]

The Best ever. Will never forget his voice or the calls. They still send shivers up and down my spine when I hear them.

 

[Taro T]

RIP RJ.

You were the soundtrack to some great memories.

[CallawaySabres]

I feel like a part of my youth just passed 

[Randall Flagg]

just blindsided 

[North Buffalo]

RIP Rick... always remember your voice from under my pillow with the radio so my parents didnt know as a kid listening to games.

[spndnchz]

RIP Rick

[shrader]

A 2 year battle and he was still doing the road crew stuff last year? I’m so glad I was able to get to that and share a very brief conversation. 

[nfreeman]

You were great Rick.  One of a kind.

Gone but not forgotten.

Rest in peace.  

[Flashsabre]

RIP Rick. Thanks for all the amazing calls and memories.

I’m glad his final call was so perfect and memorable.

[SwampD]

No words.

[PerreaultForever]

Well that is pretty sad and feels unexpected. "Multiple organ failures". I guess they kept that pretty quiet. Very sad. 

[thewookie1]

Hopefully this will give everyone, players, coaches, fans that one more reason to work just a bit harder. But God I'll miss RJ, he spent enough time with all of us Sabres fans to feel like at least a good friend. Now to distract myself....

Edited August 18, 2023 by thewookie1

[Quint]

OMG. I just found out. I've been listening to Rick since the 1969 Buffalo Bisons. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest.

[hockeymom]

I'm crying

 

[Pimlach]

RJ is one of the best ever.  Hall of Fame.  Acknowledged by his peers around the league.  Loved by the Sabres fan base of several generations.  He made it fun.  RIP RJ. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

I had hoped that they would turn this franchise around to give him one more night in the booth when it really counted.  I honor of RJ, Adams, Grantato, and Pegula, do everything in your power to make this coming season a great one in honor of the greatest play-by-play guy in hockey history.  

 

[JoeSchmoe]

Really sucks.

Some people cry when the good guy dies at the end of a movie. I don't watch a lot of movies, but Sabres Hockey has been my number 1 source of entertainment for a good part of my 48 years. Rick was my good guy. Knew it was coming eventually, but it sucks. 

RIP Rick

Edited August 18, 2023 by JoeSchmoe

[Doohicksie]

Thanks for the memories, RJ.  Godspeed.

[Randall Flagg]

I was blessed to be at RJ night, and I saw a group of players that really understood what he meant to the franchise and community. They still talk about the impact of that night. It is one of the things that drive them. That night was the first time the arena was so full, and so full of life, in so many years. 

These players did not commit the crime that was the quality of hockey Rick saw in his last years, but I know they will absolve it this year and will be thinking about him the whole time

[7+6=13]

A sports legend.  I would pretend he was calling my goals in my mind as I slapped that plastic puck against my parents garage door.   

They'll never be another like him, to me.

[sabremike]

4 minutes ago, Randall Flagg said:

I was blessed to be at RJ night, and I saw a group of players that really understood what he meant to the franchise and community. They still talk about the impact of that night. It is one of the things that drive them. That night was the first time the arena was so full, and so full of life, in so many years. 

These players did not commit the crime that was the quality of hockey Rick saw in his last years, but I know they will absolve it this year and will be thinking about him the whole time

I am tearing up just thinking of the final words of his speech that night: "I love you!" I have been to many sporting events in my life but that night was by far the greatest.

[Randall Flagg]

Just now, sabremike said:

I am tearing up just thinking of the final words of his speech that night: "I love you!" I have been to many sporting events in my life but that night was by far the greatest.

I knew it was going to be memorable but it really was special. I took some friends to that game, who brought adjacent friends, who had never watched a second of hockey and didn't know who that man down there was. They cried during and after his speech. Couldn't really believe what they were seeing and hearing.

[CallawaySabres]

I know this may not be appropriate, but it is a goddamn ffng shame that not only did he not see a cup delivered, but that the last 10 years  of teams didn’t deserve one word out of his mouth. Love you RJ

[CallawaySabres]

I can assure you one thing, the home opener  vs the Rangers is going to be one special night, and that freaking team better win by at least five goals, deliver five fights, and have the building rocking.

[Randall Flagg]

7 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

I can assure you one thing, the home opener  vs the Rangers is going to be one special night, and that freaking team better win by at least five goals, deliver five fights, and have the building rocking.

I probably won't get that game from our split seasons, I will have to sell another game because I"m not missing this one