Rick Jeanneret, the voice of the Buffalo Sabres, has been diagnosed with throat cancer.
The 71-year-old broadcaster told the Buffalo News of his battle with the disease Tuesday and his plan to return to Sabres’ play-by-play booth this upcoming season.
Jeanneret, who was inducted into the Sabres’ Hall of Fame in 2012, told the newspaper that he had a biopsy three weeks ago in Canada and later learned that he had a golf-ball-sized growth in his throat. It was malignant.
“I would like to stress I have every intention of coming back,” Jeanneret said. “I have probably three months ahead of me that aren’t going to be fun. I know they aren’t going to be.
“I consider this to be a bump in the road and am fully intending to come back and fulfill my obligations to the Sabres,” he continued. “I know there is going to be a lot of concern. All I can do is ask everybody to please allow me and my family to keep this as private as possible. We will provide updates through the team.”
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Saddened by the news, the Sabres released a statement on Jeanneret early Wednesday morning.
“RJ has been a vital part of the Sabres family and the Buffalo community for 43 years and this news undoubtedly weighs heavily on everyone who has had the privilege of listening to his broadcasts through the years. As he begins treatment in the coming weeks, we will continue to keep RJ, his wife, Sandra, his mother, Kay, his sister, Marcia, his children, Mark and Chris, his stepdaughter, Shelly, and his grandchildren in our thoughts,” the statement read. “We wish RJ a full and speedy recovery and know his tenacity will serve him well in his fight.”
The team has organized a dedicated email address, GetWellRJ@sabres.com, for fans to send notes of encouragement to the beloved broadcaster.
