NHL Notebook: Former Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret dead at 81 and Mathieu Schneider and NHLPA part ways
By Zach Laing
11 months agoFormer Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret has passed away at the age of 81 years old, the Buffalo Sabres announced Thursday.
Jeanneret was a legend in hockey circles as the voice of record for Sabres play-by-play calls for 51 years. His first season with the club came in their second season in 1971-72, and remained calling games through the 2020-21 season.
Here’s more on Jeanneret’s career, as written by Daily Faceoff’s Colton Davies:
He was honored during the season with a banner in the rafters to commemorate his impact on the Sabres franchise. Jeanneret was also honored with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.…He is survived by his wife, Sandra, whom he always referred to as “Cupcake,” sons Mark and Chris and stepdaughter, Shelly. Mark Jeanneret spent several years a hockey broadcaster with the OHL’s Erie Otters and substituted for his father on Sabres play-by-play during 2010 road games in Calgary and Edmonton.”
And here’s more from The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington, who wrote the first report on the news:
Jeanneret’s bombastic style and high-powered goal and fight calls made him a fixture on NHL highlight packages on both sides of the border throughout his career. Sabres fans can routinely imitate many of his most famous ones, a list that’s almost always led by the “May Day, May Day” call of Brad May’s overtime goal that gave the Sabres a four-game sweep of the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs and ended Buffalo’s 10-year drought without a playoff win.A roll call of Jeanneret’s top play-by-play snippets easily comes out for most fans. There’s “Top shelf where Mama hides the cookies.” “We are not worthy.” “Call a cop. He robbed him.” “Roll the highlight film.” “LaLaLaLaLaLaLaFontaine.” “Wowie Housley.” And to celebrate Jason Pominville’s series-winning overtime goal in 2006 at Ottawa, Jeanneret dropped the always-remembered, “These guys are good. Scary good.”Jeanneret, who formed a play-by-play pair for the ages with longtime voice of the Sabres Ted Darling, started his career as the analyst on the team’s radio broadcasts during the 1971-72 season, Buffalo’s second in the NHL. He moved full-time to television in 1995 and the team went to a simulcast in 1997, with Jeanneret calling the game on both radio and TV with partners Jim Lorentz, Harry Neale and Rob Ray.
THE NHL NOTEBOOK IS PRESENTED BY BETWAY
Schneider, NHLPA part ways
The NHLPA and former NHL defenceman Mathieu Schneider have parted ways, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported Thursday.
Schneider has worked with the NHLPA since soon after he retired in 2010 after a 21-year playing career.
As noted by Seravalli, Schneider held the No. 2 post in the union, and the “push” for his exit was made by new executive director Marty Walsh.
Here’s more from Daily Faceoff’s Naftali Clinton:
Schneider had a long and successful NHL career. He is among only eight NHL players who’s career spanned four decades. Among the other names on the list are NHL greats Gordie Howe (who played in five different decades), Patrick Marleau, Mark Messier, Chris Chelios, Adam Oates, Joe Sakic, and Teemu Selanne. He also holds the record for the most NHL games played by a Jewish player, ahead of Bryan Berard by 39.Schneider played as a defenseman at a high level for over 20 years with an astonishing 10 different NHL teams. He played two stints with the Montreal Canadiens, first in the late 1980s and early 1990s, then at the end of his career for the 2008-09 season. He also played for the New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Vancouver Canucks, and Phoenix Coyotes.The New York native ranks 22nd in games played among defensemen in NHL history. Over his career, he accumulated 223 goals and 743 points in 1,289 games.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
Recent articles from Zach Laing
