Jeanneret was 'a walking inspiration,' Granato says

BUFFALO --Rick Jeanneret made everything and everyone better, a sentiment that was echoed in the memories shared at KeyBank Center on Sunday, when the Buffalo Sabres celebrated the life of the legendary and beloved broadcaster.

Jeanneret, who died Aug. 17 at the age of 81, was remembered fondly with a ceremony that highlighted his impact both in front of and away from the microphone.

"He was a walking inspiration," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "He inspired our group and our players that they could do more. … It was very powerful to watch it with our team."

Nearly 60 Sabres alumni, as well as general manager Kevyn Adams and the rest of Granato's coaching staff, were on hand for the event, which featured three panels hosted by Sabres TV host Brian Duff.

One panel featured Granato, current New Jersey Devils coach and former Sabres coach and forward Lindy Ruff, and former Sabres defenseman and assistant James Patrick. The second included former Sabres forwards Brad May, Danny Gare, and Dave Hannan, and longtime equipment manager Robert "Rip" Simonick. The third featured former Sabres color commentator, and Jeanneret's partner for 26 years, Jim Lorentz, and Rob Ray, Martin Biron and Dan Dunleavy, who are part of the current Buffalo broadcast team.

On one side of the stage was Jeanneret's retirement banner, down from the rafters where it was raised April 1, 2022, four weeks before his final game. In front of it was a table bearing golden flowers surrounding a microphone. The press box was lit in blue.

On the other side of the stage, a banner that said "Thank you, RJ" was accompanied by banners featuring the phrases of some of his most iconic calls. As fans entered the bowl of the arena, they were greeted with a video replaying those moments and more.

"When you look at all the great players who played in this League like the superstars, the Gretzkys, the Lemieuxs, the Dominik Haseks, I put Rick in that category because those players made everybody around them better," Lorentz said. "Rick did the same thing."

Ruff agreed.

"RJ made us all better," he said. "First, he made me a better person because he really didn't have a bad day. He made me a better coach. I know Don, he's made you a better coach, you just mentioned that, and I will say this, Don has done one [heck] of a job here with the Sabres. And I know one thing for sure, RJ's proud of the job you've done. You put the work in, you get the results, and RJ will be with you all this year. He'll be there helping."

Ray said he was in awe of Jeanneret's ability keep an eye on multiple sports during a broadcast without missing a beat.

Adams recalled as a kid growing up in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence, New York, that he would hear Jeanneret's voice in his head as he played hockey outside. He also said that he would stay up past his bedtime to listen to Jeanneret's radio calls, prompting his mother to ask him why he wasn't asleep.

"How do you fall asleep to Rick Jeanneret calling a game?" Adams said. "He could make a dump-in from the red line sound just as exciting as a scoring chance in overtime. That really sums up RJ."

Jeanneret could always keep things light and loose, though, including on the team bus following a tough loss on the road.

"You could hear a pin drop on the bus," Patrick recalled. "About five minutes into the drive to the airport, you hear this click, swoosh, and I turned my head and RJ was opening his beer. I was terrified that Lindy was going to hear this. He would look at me and he would cheers me and had this big, youthful grin on his face."

Jeanneret's love and passion for the Sabres was evident in all of his calls.

One of his most iconic came April 24, 1993, when May scored the series-clinching goal at 4:48 of overtime against the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of the Adams Division Semifinals.

To this day, Jeanneret's "May Day" call remains a special part of Sabres history.

"Incredibly grateful," May said of being a part of Jeanneret's history. "Every time somebody calls me by my nickname, which he coined, I'll forever remember and think of him and be grateful for the opportunity to actually play hockey in a great place like this."

Of all his calls only one is missing, one Ruff wishes he could have brought him.

"One of my biggest disappointments was not being able to give RJ that Stanley Cup call, the Sabres are Stanley Cup champions," he said. "I can't imagine what that call would have been like or what that goal would have been like or how Rick would have portrayed the whole event, but I think you're looking at something that would have been spectacular."