Bruins
After 19 years within the Bruins broadcast booth, Jack Edwards officially stepped down from the microphone on Thursday night.
Game 6 between Boston and Toronto marked the ultimate game of Edwards' profession because the Bruins' play-by-play broadcaster for NESN – the Bruins were unable to send him off with a win after trailing by 1 at Scotiabank Arena :2 had lost.
Although the Bruins and Maple Leafs will face off in Game 7 at TD Garden on Saturday night, ABC has exclusive broadcast rights to the decisive battle – NESN's broadcast of the 2023-24 season ends Thursday.
With the ultimate seconds ticking down in Toronto, Edwards addressed the Bruins fans for the ultimate time from the locker room.
“The last 19 years of witnessing and describing some of the greatest moments in the New England sports pantheon have been the thrill of my life,” Edwards said. “I would like to thank everyone at NESN, especially our production team. Brian Zechello, Rose Mirakian-Wheeler, Patrick White and all the photographers Bobby Swan represented on this trip.
“Above all, I would like to thank my broadcast partner Andy Brickley. You are the brother I never had until I started working with you. And it has been a fun ride for 19 years. And this is my farewell.”
Brickley, who served as Edwards' primary color analyst throughout his tenure at NESN, shook his hand firmly before praising his broadcast partner.
“I had four brothers, but now I have five. “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you, Jack,” said Brickley. “Great call again tonight, great finish. For you personally, it would have been a storybook experience if they had won Game 5 at home and gone out that way. And given the state of this series, it might have been even more magical if we could broadcast Game 7.”
Edwards announced his retirement at the tip of the Bruins' regular season, indicating that this final playoff run could be his final appearance within the locker room. Edwards, whose passionate and colourful commentary resonated with Bruins fans (and infrequently drew the ire of opponents), began calling games for NESN in 2005.
In recent seasons, questions have arisen about Edwards and his speech issues, together with his normally rapid speech hampered at times.
In a conversation with Chad Finn earlier this season, Edwards said he received no clarity from doctors concerning the reason behind his slowed speech.
“I didn’t have an accident,” Edwards told Finn. “I don’t have cancer. I don't have dementia. I didn't have a stroke. All of this was made by measure. General Neurology confirmed.
“They've done tests that make it seem like I'm living through some kind of science fiction scene, but that's really true. The images in my brain reveal literally nothing. That’s my joke with them.”
Edwards noted within the press release announcing his retirement last month that he was “no longer able to meet the standards that I have set for myself, the fans, the players, the Bruins organization and NESN.” to honor the very best all of them deserve.”
A decisive win by Boston in Games 5 or 6 would have been a way more fitting end to Edwards' lengthy tenure overseeing the Bruins' games. But despite Thursday's disappointing result, Edwards ended the printed with a final farewell and salute to the Bruins.
“See you all,” Edwards remarked. “Long live the Boston Bruins.”
image credit : www.boston.com