The Ontario Hockey League joins the rest of hockey world in mourning the loss of one of the game’s broadcasting legends. Legendary Buffalo Sabres voice Rick Jeanneret passed away on Thursday as a result of multiple organ failure. He was 81.
A resident of Niagara Falls, Ont., Jeanneret, otherwise known as “RJ,” got onto the airwaves with the Sabres during their second season in 1971-72 and would go on to call 51 seasons for the franchise. Upon his retirement in 2022, he was the longest tenured play-by-play announcer with a single team in NHL history.
Jeanneret actually got his broadcasting start with the OHA’s Niagara Falls Flyers in 1963, filling-in for regular play-by-play voice Edd Felstead who had come down with an illness. Jeanneret became the club’s colour analyst the following season before assuming full-time play-by-play duties with the Flyers in 1965. He stayed on with the Flyers, eventually getting to a point where he was calling games for both Niagara Falls and Buffalo, juggling the travel commitments to cover both teams. During Jeanneret’s time behind the microphone in Niagara Falls, the Flyers won Memorial Cup titles in 1965 and 1968 featuring names such as Jean Pronovost, Derek Sanderson, Bill Goldsworthy, Tom Webster and Rick Ley. The Niagara Falls Flyers franchise was the forerunner to the Saginaw Spirit who compete in the OHL today.
Married to wife Sandra, Jeanneret is father to three children including son Mark, who served as Director of Media Relations and play-by-play voice of the Erie Otters over a span of 12 seasons and today works as Executive Director at the Erie Sports Commission.
Jeanneret was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame on November 8, 2011 alongside the late former Barrie Colts head coach Dale Hawerchuk, who passed away three years ago on August 18, 2020.
For more on the incredible life and legacy of Rick Jeanneret, visit NHL.com.
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