Jack Edwards said goodbye to the Boston Bruins fans last night after the team fell 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs to force a Game 7 in their NHL playoff series. The Leafs tied the series with the win, however, a network will pick up the last game and should the Bruins advance, there will be no more local TV.
Edwards, 67, announced in mid-April he would step down after 19 years as the voice of the Bruins. Edwards has been dealing with an ongoing health issue which has seen him slurring and slowing down his words at an increasing rate.
“The past 19 years, to witness and describe some of the greatest moments in the New England sports pantheon has been a thrill of a lifetime,” said Edwards. “I want to thank every employee at NESN, especially our production team…”
Edwards continued, “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. And it’s been a joy ride for 19 years. And this is my goodbye.”
“I have four brothers, but now I have five,” Brickley responded. “Absolutely a 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.”
It has been an emotional week for Boston sports fans as earlier in the week, Celtics play-by-play voice Mike Gorman called his final game for the team. Gorman had been with the Celtics for 43 years.
