Rick Jeanneret Cause Of Death, What Happened To Rick Jeanneret? How Did Rick Jeanneret Die? Who Was Rick Jeanneret?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Aug 18, 2023
Rick Jeanneret Cause Of Death
NHL broadcasting icon, Rick Jeanneret, passed away on August 17, 2023, after a valiant struggle with multi-organ failures, as revealed by the Buffalo Sabres. With over five decades behind the microphone, he lent his unmistakable voice to the team's games.
Aged 81, Jeanneret marked his July 23rd birthday just weeks before his untimely demise. Courageously battling multiple organ failures for the past couple of years, his passing was confirmed by a statement from the Sabres.
"In the wake of a two-year fight against multi-organ failures, we mourn the loss of Rick Jeanneret, cherished husband, father, grandfather, and brother, as well as a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Buffalo Sabres," the team expressed somberly. "On August 17, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones, Rick left us. His legacy will endure for eternity."
Having hung up the mic after the 2021-22 NHL season, Jeanneret's illustrious journey began with the Sabres in their second season back in 1971.
His impact was etched into history when he was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame in 2011. The following year saw him honoured by both the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
In the wake of his passing, peers, devoted Sabres fans, and fellow NHL contemporaries united to pay tribute to the legendary play-by-play maestro. Fondly remembered for his on-air contributions and celebrated for his warmhearted nature, Jeanneret's legacy encompasses not only iconic commentary but also countless acts of kindness that will forever be celebrated.
What Happened To Rick Jeanneret?
Rick 'RJ' Jeanneret, the iconic voice of the Buffalo Sabres, has bid farewell to the world, leaving a remarkable legacy spanning 51 years behind the microphone as one of the industry's most prominent figures. The heartbreaking announcement arrived in the early hours of Friday, following his passing on Thursday night, August 17, 2023. In the shadow of this tragedy, let's delve into the details of his passing and reflect on his illustrious career.
Jeanneret's impact on the field is truly unparalleled. The Hall of Famer concluded his remarkable tenure just a mere year ago, having etched his name as the NHL's longest-serving play-by-play commentator. After gracing the broadcasting booth with his exceptional talents for years, Rick Jeanneret succumbed to a two-year battle with multi-organ failures on August 17.
In his final moments, RJ was surrounded by his family, who remember him fondly as a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Both the NHL and the devoted Sabres fanbase recall him for his electrifying and dynamic goal calls, which became a fixture in league highlight reels.
His legacy is also defined by a slew of unforgettable catchphrases that his admirers often emulate. Foremost among them is the iconic "May Day" call, immortalizing Brad May's overtime goal during the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which ended the team's decade-long playoff victory drought. Alongside this, lines like "Top shelf where Mama hides the cookies," "We are not worthy," "Call a cop, He robbed him," and "Roll the highlight film" continue to resonate.
Jeanneret's journey commenced as a radio broadcast analyst for the Buffalo Sabres during the 1970-71 season, only the team's second season in the NHL. In 1995, he transitioned to television broadcasting, a role he upheld until the later stages of his life when health concerns curtailed his travel engagements.
How Did Rick Jeanneret Die?
On Thursday, the NHL bid farewell to a true legend, as the news broke that the longstanding voice of the Buffalo Sabres, Rick Jeanneret, had passed away at the age of 81. His family's statement confirmed that after a resilient two-year struggle, he succumbed to multi-organ failures.
Rick Jeanneret's illustrious career spanned an impressive 51 years as the vibrant narrator of Sabres hockey. He embarked on this journey during the 1971-72 season, marking the team's sophomore year in the NHL. Transitioning to the television broadcasts during the 1995-96 season, Jeanneret expanded his role further, becoming the play-by-play announcer for both television and radio broadcasts from the 1997-98 season onwards.
With an exclusive dedication to the Sabres, Jeanneret holds the record for the lengthiest tenure by a single broadcaster with a solitary NHL team. His remarkable journey came to a close at the culmination of the 2021-22 season.
In 2012, Jeanneret was rightfully bestowed with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, a distinction that secured his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. His name also graced the rosters of the Sabres Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and even the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame.
The loss of this iconic voice resonated deeply within the Sabres community, leading fans to pour their sentiments onto social media platforms. As one admirer eloquently put it, "He's the reason many of us fell in love with hockey as kids, myself included. His voice echoes in our minds when we recollect Sabres memories." Another fan expressed that words could scarcely encapsulate how much Jeanneret meant to the city of Buffalo.
However, Jeanneret's impact transcended team loyalties, touching the larger "hockey world." A Twitter user, who wasn't even a Sabres fan, emphasized the pain of this loss, reinforcing how far-reaching his influence truly was.
Who Was Rick Jeanneret?
Rick Jeanneret, affectionately known as "RJ," made an indelible mark on the broadcasting world as a prominent Canadian radio personality. For an impressive span of 51 years, he held the distinguished role of play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL) and their broadcast network, the Sabres Hockey Network. His passing occurred on August 17, 2023.
Commencing his broadcasting journey in 1964 at Buffalo's WKBW radio station, Jeanneret's ascent saw him join the Sabres' esteemed broadcast team in 1971. Swiftly, he emerged as a cherished and iconic voice in the realm of hockey, celebrated for his vibrant commentary and hallmark catchphrases like "May Day!" and "Oh my goodness gracious!"
Jeanneret's resonant voice became synonymous with pivotal moments in Sabres history, notably narrating their journey to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1975 and their conquest of the team's first two division championships in the consecutive years of 1975 and 1976. He also lent his distinctive tone to the portrayal of the Sabres' most illustrious player, Gilbert Perreault.
Culminating his exceptional career, Jeanneret chose to retire from broadcasting in 2022, a capstone to his remarkable 51-season tenure. In recognition of his immense contributions, he was honoured with an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.
Throughout his professional journey, Jeanneret garnered a multitude of accolades for his outstanding broadcasting artistry. The pinnacle of these awards was the prestigious Foster Hewitt Memorial Award presented by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. Additionally, his impact extended beyond the airwaves; he was commemorated with a street named after him right in front of the KeyBank Center, the hallowed home arena of the Buffalo Sabres.
Rick Jeanneret Cause Of Death - FAQs
Rick Jeanneret passed away due to multi-organ failures.
Rick Jeanneret fought a two-year battle against multi-organ failures before he passed away.
Rick Jeanneret passed away on August 17, 2023.
Rick Jeanneret was 81 years old when he passed away.
Rick Jeanneret was the long-standing play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Sabres and their broadcast network for 51 years.