Hockey world pays tribute to Rick Jeanneret

Iconic.

Electric.

Legendary.

These are just some of the adjectives that have been used to describe former Buffalo Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret, who passed away Thursday at the age of 81. Although words can't fully describe what he meant to the organization, its fans and hockey enthusiasts across the globe, everyone can agree that his words and voice will play in our minds forever.  

Tweet from @BuffaloSabres: ???? pic.twitter.com/v8URJ7uWK1

On Friday, those who knew RJ shared memories to honor the life and legacy of the Hall of Famer.

Watch: Youtube Video

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams: "I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world to be able to get up every day and do the job I do, have the opportunity to lead this organization. A lot of why I feel that way is because growing up in Buffalo and being in the barn, stickhandling, shooting, pretending I was Gilbert Perreault and announcing the game in my head was RJ. He had such an impact on my passion for the game, passion for the Buffalo Sabres organization."

Sabres coach Don Granato: "He makes you proud to be a Sabre. Historically, he is just an amazing guy. He was just an amazing person and so deep, so much depth that he could reach our entire locker room, or he could reach players individually. And same with our coaching staff. He'd just walk in our coaching room and sense the mood right away and influence it in a real positive manner by the time he left that room, with perspective, with tact, with humor."

 Tweet from @BuffaloSabres: All the love now and forever for RJ. ???????? pic.twitter.com/98DKXNlX0t

Sabres forward Alex Tuch: "On a personal note, I want to just say thank you to Rick. My earliest memories of hockey are of him calling the Sabres games. He had a couple of the most iconic calls in sports history, let alone hockey. … He was the history of Buffalo hockey, and he lived it. And the history of Buffalo hockey lived through him."

Sabres alumnus and broadcaster Rob Ray: "I asked him one time, I said, 'Hey look, why do you keep doing this? Why do you keep working? You're 80 years old!' (75 at the time, maybe). He goes, 'I have to. The people depend on me.' ... He just loved the people and I think that's the biggest thing and he never took advantage of his [position]. He always respected the opportunity that he was getting and until his last day, he still thought that was the greatest opportunity in the world."

 Watch: Youtube Video

Sabres Hall-of-Fame forward and former broadcaster Danny Gare: "RJ was a special, special man. … He was just a good man. He always gave to the community. He'd come to my golf tournament - just call him up, 'Yeah, I'll be there.' Anything with charity work, he was around. He was always easy and approachable. The thing that Kevyn Adams mentioned in his response was - and I thought it was a great line - not only was he the voice of the Sabres, but he was the voice of the city. And he certainly did that so well for so many years. I'm glad to call him a friend.

Sabres Hall-of-Fame equipment manager Rip Simonick: "One of my saddest moments, other than yesterday when he passed, was I never got to hear his calls live. I was always on the bench, I was always in the locker room, I was doing something. But for sure, I listened to every one of his calls after the game, on the plane, on the replays. And one thing about RJ, he makes you comfortable. He banters back and forth with Rob Ray. I don't know if Rob Ray would even challenge him, because RJ would kick his butt. We know that. But we have to respect what he stood for and why he stood for is."

Watch: Kyle Okposo Shares Thoughts On Rick Jeanneret

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo, reflecting on RJ Night: "What stands out to me is everything that happened after. With RJ coming on the ice and being able to have his moment. And we were sharing that moment with him, it wasn't the other way around. Like, that's his moment and we were able to just be a part of it. He got to come on the ice and get that time, I thought was so special. And then we go into the locker room and for me, trying to find the right words to say when I presented him with that sword, it was, 'How do you sum up a man that has meant to much to the entire hockey world, this community, this organization?' It's tough to find those words, but I just wanted it to be about him and I just wanted to let him enjoy that time and enjoy knowing that he has had such a big impact in the framework of our entire organization. And his banner will be up there forever."

Video: Remembering RJ (1942-2023)

Tweet from @SabresLive: Mike Emrick on RJ ������ pic.twitter.com/l4rrVe8PUD

Tweet from @philhousley6: I am deeply saddened by one of the greatest @BuffaloSabres broadcasters & my good friend, Rick Jeanneret. I can still hear him calling, ���Woowweee Housleeey��� on the air, which has morphed into Howie, & is now our newest grandson. He was one of the best. #RIPRJ pic.twitter.com/l44mBNK8eV

Tweet from @CiC16foundation: Goodbye to my dear, RJ. I'll miss those hilarious private calls and cherish the public memories. We will be inextricably linked forever, and I'm so proud to have been your friend. I just hope you're now way above where "mama hides the cookies." - LaLaLa #PatLaFontaine��� pic.twitter.com/bKktWrUtN6

Tweet from @BuffaloVogl: His voice is immortal. Behind it was a caring, witty, sentimental man who always had the right words. (Like these in our group chat when I switched jobs.) As amazing as Rick Jeanneret was on the air, he was better off it. Rest well, my friend. It was an honor to call you that. pic.twitter.com/IZA1kvXMSD

Watch: Youtube Video

Tweet from @RyanMiller3039: I will always remember this wonderful man who was a true friend.������RJ pic.twitter.com/RUFlehZiit

Tweet from @JayMcKee74: Such a good human and the best play by play announcer there ever was. Forever a legend. You are already missed RJ ????????#RJ @BuffaloSabres

Tweet from @MattBarnaby3636: I���m sad.. I���m crying���RIP RJ I ������ u. We all love ������ u #Sabres #Mayday #LalaLafontaine #Legend

Watch: Youtube Video

Tweet from @Dan_Dunleavy: #Buffalo and #RJ proved a perfect fit for one another. His imprint on the city and the #Sabres organization will always be. A father to a friend, a friend to so many, and a part of countless others' lives. RJ was & will always be an inspiration to originality and creativity. pic.twitter.com/bR9oJSUuke

Tweet from @NHLAlumni: The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Rick Jeanneret has passed away at the age of 81. Rick began calling games as a play-by-play announcer in 1971 with the @BuffaloSabres until his retirement in 2022. He was the longest-tenured broadcaster in the @NHL.��� pic.twitter.com/JS9pJVDn42

Tweet from @TheInstigator76: If you ever met him, or watched a Sabres game, you know how special he was. Rest in Peace, RJ. https://t.co/hQdDTLB3ko

Tweet from @NHLFlyers: The Flyers send our deepest condolences to the @BuffaloSabres and the entire Jeanneret family. pic.twitter.com/2V8TTqp2vU

Watch: Youtube Video

Tweet from @hasek_dominik: A legendary broadcaster and an excellent human being has left us???? We will never forget. Rest In Peace Rick. https://t.co/xUe4ajluO6

Tweet from @PKSubban1: Legend.????���???????? pic.twitter.com/GzPfNA7usD

Tweet from @PlayersTribune: Before��@RyanMiller3039 had his jersey retired with the��@BuffaloSabres this year, he shared a memory of Buffalo broadcasting legend Rick��Jeanneret.Rest in peace, Rick.�������� pic.twitter.com/NJOJp0Iylz

Tweet from @SalSports: No matter the score, Rick Jeanneret brought every game to life with his energy, enthusiasm, and description. He was the reason so many listened. He was the reason I and others wanted to do this for a living. His calls will live forever. Thank you for the memories, RJ. ������ ????????????

Tweet from @evanderkane: Rick Jeanneret was one of the greats at broadcasting, lots of great memories hearing his voice on the highlights after games in Buffalo. Thank you for the great entertainment and rest in peace Rick. https://t.co/F8ot6us4JF

Watch: Youtube Video

Tweet from @88PKane: Sharing my sympathy with the Jeanneret family on Rick���s passing. He was one of the biggest reasons I liked the Sabres so much growing up. RIP RJ.

Tweet from @TheAHL: We join the hockey world in remembering Rick Jeanneret, whose legendary career as the voice of Buffalo hockey began with our own Bisons in the late 1960s. #RIPRJ https://t.co/TApVETVeHc

Tweet from @MapleLeafs: ????????��� Honouring Rick Jeanneret, a Hall of Fame broadcaster whose iconic calls elevated games throughout the league, including Sabres vs. Maple Leafs matchups. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and the Buffalo Sabres community. Rest in peace, Rick.

Tweet from @Senators: An iconic hockey voice, calling some incredible games over the years! Sending our condolences to Rick���s loved ones and the entire @BuffaloSabres organization. ������

Watch: Youtube Video