Bruins

Watch: Jack Edwards signs off for final time as Bruins broadcaster

“So long, everybody. Long live the Boston Bruins.” 

By Conor Ryan

May 2, 2024

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After 19 years in the broadcast booth for the Bruins, Jack Edwards officially stepped away from the mic on Thursday night.

Game 6 between Boston and Toronto marked the final game of Edwards’ career as the Bruins’ play-by-play broadcaster for NESN — with the Bruins unable to send him off with a victory after dropping a 2-1 contest at Scotiabank Arena. 

Even though the Bruins and Maple Leafs will battle in a Game 7 on Saturday night back at TD Garden, ABC has the exclusive broadcast rights for the deciding bout — with NESN’s broadcasting for the 2023-24 season ending on Thursday.

After the final seconds ran off the clock in Toronto, Edwards addressed Bruins fans for the final time from the booth.

“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,” Edwards said. “I want to thank every employee at NESN, especially our production team. 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. And it’s been a joy ride for 19 years. And this is my goodbye.”

Brickley, who has served as Edwards’ primary color analyst throughout his tenure at NESN, extended him a firm handshake before offering up praise for his broadcasting partner. 

“I had four brothers, but now I have five. An absolute pleasure working with you, Jack,” Brickley said. “Great call again tonight, tremendous finish. It would have been storybook had they won Game 5 at home to 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.”

Edwards announced his retirement at the end of the Bruins’ regular season, noting that this final playoff run would be his final stint in the booth. Edwards, whose passionate and colorful commentary resonated with Bruins fans (and often drew the ire of the opposition), first started calling games for NESN in 2005. 

Over the last few seasons, questions arose over Edwards’ and his speech issues, with his usually rapid delivery hampered at times. 

Speaking to Chad Finn of The Boston Globe earlier this season, Edwards said he had received no clarity from doctors as to the root cause behind his slowed speech. 

“I did not have some kind of accident,” Edwards told Finn. “I do not have cancer. I don’t have dementia. I haven’t had a stroke. All of that’s been confirmed by Mass. General neurology.

“They’ve done tests that seem like I’m going through some sort of science-fiction scene, but it’s really true. The images of my brain literally reveal nothing. That’s my joke with them.”

Edwards noted in the press release announcing his retirement last month that he was “no longer able to attain the standards I set for myself, to honor the fans, the players, the Bruins organization and NESN with the best they all deserve.”

A series-clinching victory by Boston in either Games 5 or 6 would have been a far more fitting conclusion to Edwards’ extended tenure calling Bruins games. But even amid Thursday’s disheartening result, Edwards still closed out the broadcast with a final sign-off and a salute to the Bruins. 

“So long, everybody,” Edwards remarked. “Long live the Boston Bruins.”