May - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres celebrate life of Rick Jeanneret: ‘Greatest artist I have ever known’

BUFFALO – No one, Rebecca Way said, believes her story of Sabres fandom.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, she rooted for the Penguins. When they lost in the playoffs in 2007, she said she “bandwagoned” for the Sabres. She quickly fell in love with them, in part, through legendary play-by-play man’s Rick Jeanneret’s colorful broadcasting.

Way said Jeanneret, who died August 17 of multi-organ failure at 81, “made me feel like I was a part ... Read the full article

Rick Jeanneret left lasting impact with Sabres, community: ‘A way that you endeared to him’

In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres’ nightlong celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret ended in 2022, coach Don Granato did something out of character.

“RJ Night” had been perfect, as the Sabres rode the wave energy from an emotional pregame banner-raising ceremony to a thrilling victory before a raucous crowd.

As the special evening ended, Granato was prodded to put on a turtleneck and suspenders – a tribute to Jeanneret’s style – for ... Read the full article

Rick Jeanneret, legendary voice of Sabres, dies at 81

Legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, one of the most iconic figures in Buffalo Sabres history, died Thursday evening, the team announced. He was 81.

Jeanneret died following a two-year battle with multi-organ failures, according to his family.

He retired following the 2021-22 season, his record 51st year on the job. He spent last season as a broadcaster emeritus making appearances on behalf of the team and was often seen around KeyBank Center.

The Sabres gave ... Read the full article

Why did Sabres rookie goalie Devon Levi choose No. 27?

BUFFALO – No. 1, which Sabres newcomer Devon Levi sported during his decorated college career at Northeastern, is worn by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, another rookie goalie.

So Levi, who signed his entry-level contract Friday, chose No. 27, digits that hold special meaning.

“(It) was my number of choice because growing up, it was my favorite number,” an excited Levi said Monday in KeyBank Center. “I feel like little me would be happy that I chose ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rick Jeanneret, Brad May ‘tied at the hip’ by ‘May Day’ goal

BUFFALO – Brad May will be there tonight to celebrate his friend, Rick Jeanneret. The popular ex-Sabres winger is flying in from Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he was vacationing, for “RJ Night” at KeyBank Center.

“I need to be in Buffalo to feel it with him,” May told the Times Herald by phone Tuesday from Belfast.

The two men, May said, are “tied at the hip.” The goal of May’s life, his overtime series-clincher ... Read the full article

Five ‘Sabres Classics’ against rivals, including ‘May Day’ game, to air

Five more “Sabres Classics” – this time games featuring Buffalo’s fiercest rivals, including the wild “May Day” playoff win over the Boston Bruins – will be rebroadcast on MSG next week.

The games are being aired because the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to suspend its season indefinitely March 12.... Read the full article

Martin Biron joins Sabres broadcast team as analyst

BUFFALO – Martin Biron is coming to a television near you.

The loquacious former Sabres goalie will serve as an analyst on the team’s MSG broadcasts this season, primarily during pregame, intermission and postgame segments with host Brian Duff. He replaces former Sabres winger Brad May.... Read the full article

Ted Nolan doesn’t believe he’s softened since first Sabres stint

BUFFALO – Eighteen years later, the 1995-96 Sabres, a rebuilding club that missed the playoffs, still rank among the most popular teams in franchise history.

That team, Ted Nolan’s first as coach, played hard and fought a lot. The Sabres accumulated 2,195 penalty minutes that season, earning Nolan a reputation as a coach who loved fisticuffs.

These days, however, Nolan’s Sabres hardly fight. They’ve scrapped only eight times since he took over Nov. 13. ... Read the full article

Ville Leino’s cracked rib opens up opportunity for Sabres rookie Johan Larsson

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Ville Leino just can’t stay healthy.

Leino, who played only eight games last season while battling a hip and lung injury, cracked a rib early in Wednesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss in Detroit and is out indefinitely.

The Finn should only miss a couple of weeks, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.

Leino stayed in the game, skating 12:38. But Rolston said the rib “seized up” overnight.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rick Jeanneret still going strong as Hall honor arrives

BUFFALO – The scene plays out just about each time Rick Jeanneret walks around in public. Inevitably, fans stop the Sabres’ legendary announcer and tell him how much they enjoy the team’s broadcast.

Then they make a short plea to the play-by-play veteran, whose enthusiasm and passionate calls have made him a local icon.

“The other thing they say is, ‘Please don’t retire,’” Jeanneret, who will be honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame on ... Read the full article