The Columbus Blue Jackets will be looking for a new TV play-by-play voice starting next season, as longtime announcer Jeff Rimer will be retiring when this new season ends in the spring.
Rimer has been with the Blue Jackets for 20 years. In a note from Rimer posted on the Blue Jackets website on Wednesday, Jeff said of all the stops he’s had in his career Columbus has been the best.
“Through all my years in the NHL – 10 seasons with the Washington Capitals, 11 years with the Florida Panthers (including one year in which I called games for BOTH teams), and two decades with the Columbus Blue Jackets – I can easily say the highlight of my time in this wonderful league is my 20 years as a Blue Jacket!” he said.
Rimer thanked team ownership, staff, coaches, and players for working with him all these years and also made sure to save room to mention all his former broadcast partners.
“Thanks to my broadcast partners Brian Engblom, Danny Gare, Bill Davidge, and finally, Jody Shelley,” Rimer said. “Jody and I have enjoyed a great friendship, partnership over many nights spent on the road discussing Blue Jackets hockey. I have loved every minute of it.”
“I also want to thank Randy Stephens, Tom Farmer, Bob Pennell, Joel Goodling, and Brian Filippetti at Bally Sports Ohio, my statistician Dan Grassbaugh, former producers Joe Whelan and Ed Milliken, and all the current and past production crew members I have worked with, especially those at Nationwide Arena,” he added.
Rimer recalled getting cut from a junior hockey tryout his longtime friend and current Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson talked him into. That’s when it clicked for Jeff to try getting behind the microphone.
“I was told that house league started Monday and spent the rest of the tryout sitting on the snowbank of the outdoor rink watching the practice and scrimmage,” he said. “It was at that moment my focus turned to becoming a play-by-play broadcaster in the NHL.”
Jeff Rimer continued to thank those he’s had the chance to work with all throughout his career, but he made sure to finish by acknowledging what a ride it’s been.
“As I close my career at the conclusion of this Blue Jackets season, I will have spent parts of six decades, 47 years on the NHL beat, and called well over 2,500 games in the league’s various broadcast booths across North America,” he said. “It has been an honor, a pleasure and very special privilege to have each and every one of you beside me on my dream ride.”
“I can’t thank you enough for watching and listening all these years! Go Jackets!” he added.
