Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR 550) - In honor of Rick Jeanneret's lifelong dedication to his family and the Buffalo Sabres organization, the City of Buffalo, the Buffalo Common Council, and other members of the organization joined the Jeanneret family on Thursday to unveil Trailblazing signs at the corners of Illinois Street and Perry Street, as well as Washington Street and Perry Street, proclaiming the stretch of Perry Street: "RJ Way".
"Mr. Jeanneret and his voice are synonymous with the Buffalo Sabres. He is every bit a part of this franchise as 'The French Connection' or Dominik Hasek, or whomever else you'd like to mention," said Buffalo Common Councilman Chris Scanlon during a special ceremony Thursday. "He brought those stories to us in a way, with a voice, with a style and with a level of class that you don't see very often. So it's an absolute honor for me to be here today."
Jeanneret served as the longest tenured play-by-play man for one team in NHL history, broadcasting Sabres games for 51 seasons. He started with the Sabres in their second year of existence during the 1971-72 season, and retired following the 2021-22 campaign.
Jeanneret died this past August at the age of 81, and is survived by his wife, Sandra, his three children - Mark, Chris, and Shelly - as well as several grandchildren.
"I always told him I was his biggest fan," said Sandra Jeanneret during Thursday's ceremony honoring her late husband. "I want to thank the Mayor and the [Councilmembers], and the whole City of Buffalo, the Buffalo Sabres organization and, mostly, the fans for welcoming RJ so often and so lovingly. This sign is perfect, because everybody knows RJ did it his way."
The Jeanneret family was presented with a plaque from the Buffalo Common Council on Thursday, with the last words of the in memoriam saying:
"Now therefore, it is only fitting that we honor Rick Jeanneret's enduring legacy, and his profound impact on the Western New York community by dedicating a Trailblazing sign in his memory outside the arena where his voice and iconic calls echoed through the rafters, acknowledging his contributions not only to the Buffalo Sabres organization, but also to the countless lives he touched through his exuberant calls, and his role for fostering a deep love for hockey within our community."
Thursday's unveiling ceremony for "RJ Way" was also shared with the fans, as many arrived to KeyBank Center early to be able to greet the players as they were introduced on the Blue and Gold carpet for opening night. For many Sabres fans, there was no way they were missing the chance to honor a franchise icon.
"I didn't miss the memorial service they did here for him. RJ was the announcer from the time I was born until he passed on," said Sabres fan Gary Guiliani from Niagara Falls.
"RJ was there for every Sabres moment for me. Figured I had to be there for him for his moment," added Sabres fan Chris from Sloan.
Whether fans were in attendance for "RJ Night" where the team raised his banner to the rafters, his final broadcast, or for his memorial service a couple weeks after his passing, Sabres fans still love the voice many of them grew up listening to.
"It was pretty important [to be here]," said Sabres fan Jim from Tonawanda. "I think any Sabres fan that doesn't say it was important is pretty much lying, or is not that big of a fan.
"That's what I grew up listening to, and I honestly don't know what I'm going to do without it," said Sabres fan Keith from Brockport. "But to be able to bring the kids here and explain who he was and what he meant for the Sabres, it's pretty big for me."
While Jeanneret has passed, his legacy will long live on in the Western New York community. Now as fans head down to the arena for a game night, or just visiting for a day, they will always be reminded of what Jeanneret truly meant.
"Just that Buffalo's willing to remember the greatest announcer in sports history, as far as I'm concerned," said Guiliani.
"Just having that constant reminder will always be there. You look up and recall all of his great calls," Keith added.
"Symbolically, all paths to the Sabres are through RJ," Chris said. "It's pretty amazing. I think it's a great way to honor him, and everyone will walk past it."
So what are some of the RJ calls that will resonate in Sabres fans' minds anytime they walk along "RJ Way" heading to the arena?
"Actually, I grew up in the Housley era, so it was 'Wowie Housley!' I really loved," Guiliani said.
"My favorite call of his is 'Hog tying is in!' when there was a blatant penalty during the playoffs and they didn't call it, besides, of course, 'Top Shelf!' and all those other one that were fantastic," Chris added. "It's the voice of my childhood. All winter long, it was always RJ. You could always hear him."
"I'd say the, 'Now do you believe?!' call. It still gives me chills listening to it," Keith said.
For fans like Jim, it'll be the interactions he shared with a franchise legend.
"Just meeting him on a couple of different occasions was special enough," he said. "I think he's pretty much just that guy that got a lot of people being a Sabres fan. I think a lot of people actually are a Sabres fan because of him."