After 19 years of calling Bruins games on NESN, Jack Edwards has announced his retirement from broadcasting at the end of this NHL season, which marks a 45-year-long career that included stops at various networks like ESPN. Edwards, a lifelong Bruins fan, expressed gratitude for the joyride he experienced as the voice of the Boston Bruins and acknowledged that he could no longer maintain the standards he set for himself. He credited his family, the Bruins organization, and NESN for their support in helping him achieve his lifelong goal of broadcasting hockey games.
As part of his farewell, Edwards was honored with a pregame ceremony at the Bruins’ regular-season finale at TD Garden against the Senators, where he received a loud ovation from the Boston crowd. Throughout his career, Edwards had worked as a sports anchor and reporter at WCVB and WHDH in New England, covered Olympic events for ABC and CBS, and served as a play-by-play commentator for the Little League World Series, ESPN’s NHL coverage, and the 2002 World Cup. His enthusiastic calls and unique phrases like “tumbling muffin” and “high above the ice” made him a beloved figure among Bruins fans and a polarizing figure for fans of other NHL teams.
Known for his passionate on-air rants, Edwards once famously compared a Bruins victory over the rival Canadiens in 2009 to an American Revolution battle, drawing parallels between the team and “rag-tag farmers” facing off against the “red coats.” Despite his colorful commentary, Edwards revealed in February that he had been experiencing speech problems of unknown origin, ruling out conditions like cancer, dementia, strokes, or accidents. Tests showed no abnormalities in his brain, adding a mysterious twist to his decision to retire from broadcasting.
As Edwards wraps up his illustrious broadcasting career, Bruins fans will have the opportunity to bid him farewell during his final calls for the Bruins-Senators matchup and the team’s upcoming first-round playoff series against either the Maple Leafs or Lightning. Edwards’ departure marks the end of an era for hockey broadcasting, as he leaves behind a legacy of memorable calls, passionate commentary, and unwavering dedication to the Boston Bruins organization. His impact on the sport and its fans will be felt for years to come, as he steps away to enjoy the next chapter of his life after a successful and fulfilling career behind the microphone.
