Buffalo Sabres Sign Rick Jeanneret To Long Term Deal, Make Broadcasting Changes
By Tim Redinger
Buffalo Sabres fans worried about the future of the broadcast booth need not fear any longer. The Buffalo Sabres announced today that long time, fan favorite-play-by-play announced Rick Jeanneret has signed a long term deal with the Buffalo Sabres to remain in the press box. Details on the deal were not released.
Despite retaining RJ for several more years, the Sabres have done some shuffling when it comes to who you will be hearing your Sabres broadcast and analyst from. Kevin Sylvester will be moving to a more radio only role, becoming the voice, and executive producer of a Sabres only radio broadcast on WGR550. The show will air Monday thr0ugh Friday from 10AM to 12PM.
Rob Ray will be joining the broadcast team as the color commentator alongside Rick, and Harry Neale will join Mike Robitaille and Danny Gare as the pre, in game, and post game analysts.
Brian Duff who joined the broadcast team last year will also join the team full time as the in game host for all Buffalo Sabres broadcasts on MSG.
As far as the radio is concerned, team president Ted Black is most pleased about this part of the announcement. “We are very happy to add yet another platform for our fans to get original Sabres content. Sabres Hockey Hotline will give fans an additional 350+ hours of Sabres programming each year that we know fans will love. It’s an ambitious undertaking for our organization and that’s why we put Kevin in charge of producing and hosting the show.”
Jeanneret’s return will most likely be on a limited basis – covering home games and limited away games to reduce the wear and tear on RJ so that he may continue to call Sabres games for another generation of fans.