Bruins announcer Jack Edwards receives an award before the last regular-season game. Earlier in the day, Edwards, who grew up in Durham and graduated from UNH, announced his retirement. Thursday night was his last broadcast.
Bruins announcer Jack Edwards receives an award before the last regular-season game. Earlier in the day, Edwards, who grew up in Durham and graduated from UNH, announced his retirement. Thursday night was his last broadcast.
The Boston Bruins’ season isn’t over. Not yet, at least. But their Game 6 loss in Toronto to the Maple Leafs did mark another swan song as the final game for NESN’s play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards.
Following the Bruins’ 2-1 defeat, Edwards appeared on camera from his broadcast perch at ScotiaBank Arena with long-time analyst Andy Brickley. In the past, Edwards, who grew up in Durham and graduated from UNH, has had a habit of delivering flowery soliloquies at season’s end, sometimes spiced with bombast.
But this was more understated.
“For the past 19 years,” Edwards began, “to witness and describe some of the greatest moments in the New England sports pantheon ... has been the thrill of a lifetime. I want to thank every employee at NESN, especially our production team of Brian Zechello, Rose Mirakian-Wheeler, Patrick White and all the photographers, represented on this trip by Bobby Swan.
“Most of all, I want to thank my broadcast partner, Andy Brickley. You’re the brother I never had until I started working with you. It’s been a joyride for 19 years and this is my goodbye.”
Brickley responded: “I have four brothers, but now I have five. Absolutely pleasure working with you, Jack. Great call again tonight. Tremendous finish. It would have been storybook had (the Bruins) won a Game 5 at home, go out in that fashion for you personally. And given the situation with this series, it might have been even more storybook had we been able to broadcast Game 7.”
“So long everybody,” concluded Edwards. “Long live the Boston Bruins.”
Edwards had announced plans to retire after the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, after which national networks have exclusive rights to the games. But with a winner-take-all Game 7 against Toronto set for Saturday night at TD Garden, ABC will televise the game, leaving NESN — and Edwards — on the sidelines.
Edwards, 66, announced last month that he was leaving the job, saying that his work could no longer match his own standards. Edwards spoke with the Boston Globe in February about an undiagnosed medical problem that has at times slurred his speech and resulted in a halting delivery.
Later in the telecast, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, in his standard post-game interview on NESN, took time to salute Edwards.
“Jack, I just want to say, on behalf of our entire team, what a tremendous career you’ve had,” said Montgomery, “and how much the Bruins fans love you and how much we love you and the great work you’ve done for so many years, representing the Bruins and being one of our biggest fans while being one of our best salesmen for what our product is, day-in, day-out.”
Edwards, who appeared moved by the remarks, said: “Thanks a lot, Monty. Good luck Saturday night.”
