The legendary Doc Emrick shares a heartfelt tribute to Rick Jeanneret

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TJ Tucker
August 19, 2023 (6:13 PM)

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Here's a clear case of a legend recognizing a legend. Hockey broadcasting lost a huge name two days ago in Rick Jeanneret. He died at the age of 81, a little over a year after calling his final NHL game. Now, another huge name in the business has paid a touching tribute to Jeanneret that left his hosts trying to contain themselves.

Doc Emrick is likely the most well-known American announcer ever in the hockey world. Emrick told Brian Duff and Marty Biron of Sabres Live that he considered Jeanneret a great friend and one of the best ever on the microphone. In his final words on the podcast, Emrick referred to the movie Field of Dreams and one of the character's relationship with a small town in Minnesota. He said it applied perfectly to Jeanneret's relationship with the City of Buffalo. Jeanneret had worked for the Sabres from 1971 to 2022.

"'This is my most special place in the world, Ray,'" said Emrick, quoting Field of Dreams. "'Once a place touches you like this, the wind never blows so cold again. You feel for it like it was your child.' And that's how RJ felt about Buffalo, and how Buffalo felt about him. I'm just glad I got to work in a booth adjacent to Rick all those years, and laugh with him in the press room." - "Doc" Emrick

Jeanneret called his final game with the Buffalo Sabres on April 29th, 2022. It was a 3-2 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks. In a statement regarding his death, his family said his health was starting to fail at that time. His cause of death is listed as multiple organ failure.