The following is a chronological history of all local broadcasters of the Buffalo Sabres. Since 1997, radio and television broadcast production has been largely consolidated into the Sabres Hockey Network unit.
Television 2020s YearChannelPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)RinksideStudio hostStudio analyst2024–25MSG Western New YorkDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffHoward SimonMartin Biron Meghan Chayka2023–24MSG Western New YorkDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffMartin Biron2022–23MSG Western New YorkDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffMartin Biron2021–22MSG Western New YorkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffDan DunleavyMartin Biron2021MSG Western New YorkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffDan DunleavyMartin Biron
2010s YearChannelPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)RinksideStudio hostStudio analyst2019–2020MSG Western New YorkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffDan DunleavyMartin Biron2018–19MSG Western New YorkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffDan DunleavyMartin Biron2017–18MSG Western New YorkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffDan DunleavyMartin Biron2016–17MSG Western New YorkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian DuffDan DunleavyBrad May2015–16MSG NetworkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayBrian DuffBrad May and Martin Biron2014–15MSG NetworkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayBrian DuffBrad May and Martin Biron2013–14MSG NetworkRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayBrian DuffBrad May and Mike Robitaille2012-13MSG NetworkRick JeanneretRob RayBrian DuffHarry Neale and Mike Robitaille2011–12MSG Network (A team)Rick JeanneretHarry NealeRob RayKevin SylvesterMike RobitailleMSG Network (B team)Kevin SylvesterDanny GareBrian DuffBrian DuffDanny Gare2010–11MSG NetworkRick JeanneretHarry NealeRob RayKevin SylvesterMike Robitaille Note: The "A" team covers all home games and approximately one third of away games. The "B" team covers the remaining two-thirds of the away games. Games against the Rangers, Devils or Islanders feature their studio hosts instead of the Sabres'.
2000s YearChannelPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Rinkside reporterStudio hostStudio analyst2009–10MSG NetworkRick JeanneretHarry NealeRob RayKevin SylvesterMike Robitaille or Danny Gare2008–09MSG NetworkRick JeanneretHarry NealeRob RayKevin SylvesterMike Robitaille2007–08MSG NetworkRick JeanneretHarry NealeRob RayKevin SylvesterMike Robitaille2006–07MSG NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzRob RayKevin SylvesterMike Robitaille2005–06MSG NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzRob RayKevin SylvesterMike Robitaille2004–05No broadcasts due to 2004-05 NHL lockout2003–04Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzRob RayJosh MoraMike Robitaille2002–03Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzDanny GareBrian BlessingMike Robitaille2001–02Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzDanny GareBrian BlessingMike Robitaille2000–01Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzDanny GareBrian BlessingMike Robitaille
1990s YearChannelPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Rinkside reporterStudio hostStudio analyst1999–2000Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzDanny GareBrian BlessingMike Robitaille1998–99Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzDanny GareBrian BlessingMike Robitaille1997–98Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzDanny GareBrian BlessingMike Robitaille1996–97Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzDennis WilliamsDennis Williams (Pregame)Brian Blessing (Intermission)Mike Robitaille (Intermission)WIVB-TV1995–96Empire Sports NetworkRick JeanneretJim LorentzBarry BuetelBarry Buetel (Pregame), Brian Blessing (Intermission), and Jennifer Smith and Bob Koshinski (Postgame)Mike Robitaille (Intermission)WUTV1994–95Empire Sports NetworkJohn GurtlerJim LorentzMike Robitaille (Empire Only)WUTV1993–94Empire Sports NetworkJohn GurtlerJim LorentzMike Robitaille (Empire Only)WUTV1992–93Empire Sports NetworkJohn GurtlerJim LorentzMike RobitailleWUTVBrenda Brenon and Ted Darling1991–92Empire Sports NetworkJim Lorentz (October–November)Ted Darling (December)John Gurtler (January–May)Jim Lorentz and Mike RobitailleMike RobitailleWUTVBrenda Brenon1990–91SportsChannel New YorkTed DarlingMike RobitailleJohn GurtlerMike Robitaille and Jim LorentzWUTVJim LorentzJohn Gurtler and Brenda Brenon
1980s YearChannelPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Studio hostStudio analyst1989–90SportsChannel New YorkTed DarlingMike RobitailleJohn GurtlerDanny GareWNYBJim LorentzMike Robitaille1988-89WGRZ-TVTed DarlingJim Lorentz or Mike RobitailleEd Kilgore1987–88WNYBTed DarlingJim Lorentz or Mike RobitailleEd Kilgore1986–87WGRZ-TVTed DarlingJim Lorentz or Mike RobitailleEd Kilgore1985–86WGRZ-TVTed DarlingJim Lorentz or Mike RobitailleEd Kilgore1984–85WGRZ-TVTed DarlingJim LorentzEd Kilgore1983–84WGRZ-TVTed DarlingJim LorentzEd Kilgore1982–83WGR-TVTed DarlingPaul Wieland and Jim LorentzEd Kilgore1981–82WGR-TVTed DarlingPaul Wieland and Jim LorentzEd Kilgore1980–81WGR-TVTed DarlingPaul Wieland and Jim LorentzEd Kilgore
1970s YearChannelPlay-by-playColor commentatorStudio host1979–80WGR-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganEd Kilgore1978–79WGR-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganEd Kilgore1977–78WKBW-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganRick Azar1976–77WKBW-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganRick Azar1975–76WKBW-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganRick Azar1974–75WKBW-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganRick Azar1973–74WKBW-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganRick Azar1972–73WKBW-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganRick Azar1971–72WKBW-TVTed DarlingPat HanniganRick Azar1970–71WKBW-TVDave Hodge and Rick Azar (seven away games)1970-71 Sabres Media Guide
Radio
2020s YearFlagshipPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Studio host2022–23WGRDan DunleavyRob RayBrian Koziol (Postgame)Mike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)2021–22WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian Koziol (Postgame)Mike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)2021WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)
2010s YearFlagshipPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Studio host2019–2020WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironBrian Koziol (Postgame)Mike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)2018–19WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2017–18WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2016–17WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMartin BironMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2015–16WGR (A team)Rick JeanneretRob RayMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)WGR (B team)Dan DunleavyWGR (C team)Brian DuffAndrew Peters2014–15WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2013–14WGRRick JeanneretDan DunleavyRob RayMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2012–13WGRRick JeanneretRob RayMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2011–12WGR (A team)Rick JeanneretHarry NealeMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)WGR (B team)Kevin SylvesterDanny Gare2010–11WGRRick JeanneretHarry NealeBrian Koziol (Postgame) and Mike Schopp, Chris Parker or Brian Koziol (Pregame)
2000s YearStationPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Studio host(s)2009–10WGRRick JeanneretHarry NealeMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2008–09WGRRick JeanneretHarry NealeMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2007–08WGRRick JeanneretHarry Neale or Mike RobitailleMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brian Koziol (Pregame)Brian Koziol (Postgame)2006–07WGRRick JeanneretJim LorentzMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brad Riter (Pregame)Brad Riter (Postgame)2005–06WGRRick JeanneretJim LorentzMike Schopp, Chris Parker, or Brad Riter (Pregame)Brad Riter (Postgame)2004–05No broadcasts due to 2004-05 NHL lockout2003–04WNSARick JeanneretJim LorentzJosh Mora and Mike Robitaille2002–03WNSARick JeanneretJim LorentzBrian Blessing and Mike Robitaille2001–02WNSARick JeanneretJim LorentzBrian Blessing and Mike Robitaille2000–01WNSARick JeanneretJim LorentzBrian Blessing and Mike Robitaille
1990s YearStationPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Studio hosts1999–2000WHTT-FMRick JeanneretJim LorentzBrian Blessing and Mike Robitaille1998–99WHTT-FMRick JeanneretJim LorentzTom Schuh 1st half of season and Mark Jeanneret 2nd half of season1997–98WHTT-FMRick JeanneretJim LorentzBrian Blessing and Mike Robitaille1996–97WHTT-FMPete WeberDanny GareDave Miller1995–96WWKB-AMPete WeberDanny GareDave Miller1994–95WGRRick JeanneretLarry PlayfairBarry Buetel1993–94WGRRick JeanneretLarry PlayfairBarry Buetel1992–93WGRRick JeanneretLarry PlayfairPete Weber1991–92WGRRick JeanneretDanny GarePete Weber1990–91WGRRick JeanneretDanny GarePete Weber
1980s YearStationPlay-by-playStudio host1989–90WBENRick JeanneretPete Weber1988–89WBENRick JeanneretPete Weber1987–88WBENRick JeanneretPete Weber1986–87WBENRick JeanneretPete Weber1985–86WBENRick Jeanneret1984–85WBENRick Jeanneret1983–84WBENRick Jeanneret1982–83WGRRick Jeanneret1981–82WGRRick Jeanneret1980–81WGRRick Jeanneret
1970s YearStationPlay-by-playStudio host1979–80WGRRick Jeanneret1978–79WGRRick Jeanneret1977–78WGRRick Jeanneret1976–77WGRRick Jeanneret1975–76WGRRick Jeanneret1974–75WGRRick Jeanneret1973–74WGRRick Jeanneret1972–73WGRRick Jeanneret1971–72WGRRick Jeanneret1970–71WGRTed Darling1970-71 Sabres Media GuidePhil Soisson (home games)
Substitutes
Play-by-Play Kevin Sylvester (2008–16) Dan Dunleavy (2009–present) Curt Keilback (2008–09) Paul Hamilton (2008–09) Jim Lorentz (1990–2007) Mark Jeanneret (2010–11) Don Stevens (January 21, 1992 @ St Louis)
Color commentary Mike Robitaille (?-2014) Andrew Peters (2016–present) Martin Biron (2016–present)
See also List of current National Hockey League broadcasters
References