BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) Emotions among Buffalo Sabres fans are expected to be running high Friday as Western New York honors, for one last time, the Hall of Fame broadcaster who has been calling Sabres games for more than a half century
Rick Jeanneret's 51 year run ends Friday night in the rafters of KeyBank Center.
Jeanneret is the longest tenured broadcaster with the same franchise
in the history of the National Hockey League.
"It's crazy," said Paul Hamilton, Sabres beat reporter with WGR 550.com.
"Fans will get to hear him and see him one more time, doing his thing."
The long goodbye started earlier this month, on "RJ night" April 1st when the Sabres raised a banner to the rafters of KeyBank Center, in Jeanneret's honor. "I have three words, just three," Jeanneret said during his speech to a sellout crowd that night. "I love you."
"Rick doesn't really show his emotions. In fact, he was surprised that it hit him
on RJ night," said Hamilton. "He even cut his speech a little short because it
started to hit him."
Over the last half century, players have come and gone, ownership has changed hands, the arena has changed, even the team's colors have changed. But the one constant through all of this has been Jeanneret.
"I don't think it's really going to hit him until the very end when he signs off and it's over," said Hamilton.
Jeanneret has been scaling back his broadcast duties over the last several years, by initially cutting out road games. but he did make the team's last road trip to Boston on Thursday. "He flew with the team and answered fans questions on Twitter after the 1st period. It was fun to see him do that," he said.
"Oh now do you believe? Now do you believe? These guys are good! Scary good!" Jeanneret will forever be remembered for iconic play by play calls over the years. "May Day! May Day!", "La-la-la-la-LaFontaine", and "Top shelf where Mama hides the cookies!," among his most notable calls.
Hamilton says Jeanneret is only the third play by play announcer with his name in the rafters. Gene Hart with the Flyers and Dan Kelly with St Louis are the other two. The LA Kings have a statue for Bob Miller, longtime voice of the LA Kings.
"It's well deserved," added Hamilton. "For what he's meant for Western New York and Sabres fans throughout the world, and this community, he absolutely belongs up there along with the greatest players."
Friday is Fan Appreciation Night at KeyBank Center. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will also receive a commemorative "RJ's Last Call" T-shirt.
At the conclusion of the game, Sabres fans are encouraged to stay in their seats to salute Jeanneret one final time.
In addition to it being Jeanneret's last night behind the mic, it is also the final game of the season for the Buffalo Sabres, who have missed the playoffs for eleven years.
The Sabres face the Chicago Blackhawks at 7pm at KeyBank Center.
