Longtime Boston Bruins announcer Jack Edwards announced his retirement recently, meaning that Game 6 against the Toronto Maple Leafs was the last time he would be at the mic for the Bruins. But he was still able to get the Boston crowd fired up with his trademark enthusiasm for the home team.
Boston fans are saying goodbye to both of their winter pro sports voices as Edwards’ retirement coincided with the retirement of legendary Boston Celtics voice Mike Gorman.
The NHL’s broadcast rules prohibited a local broadcast of Game 7 in the Leafs-Bruins series since it aired nationally on ABC. However, Edwards was still at the arena cheering on the Bruins. And when he was shown on the jumbotron in the second period, Bruins fans made sure to show their appreciation for his career with a rousing ovation as he pumped up the crowd.
The Bruins ended up defeating the Maple Leafs in the most dramatic way possible, with an overtime Game 7 winner. While it was expertly called by Sean McDonough on ABC, Bruins fans regretted not being able to hear Edwards’ reaction, wondering what it would have been like to send him out with a moment like that to call.
An overtime game winner in a Game 7 would be the perfect ending to a hockey announcing career. But Edwards did still largely go out on his terms, including a memorable rant at the officials in Game 5. You know he was just as excited in the stands to beat the Leafs and advance to the second round as he would have been if he were calling the action for real.