Back in the old days, NHL press boxes didn’t have alcohol restrictions. Broadcasters could keep their golden pipes lubed up with a lager.



Once or twice a game, Rick Jeanneret would raise his hand and get a cold one delivered. At least one fan was aware of this.



And so we begin The Athletic’s reader Q&A with Jeanneret, who’s been the soundtrack of the Sabres since 1971 and sat down to discuss whatever Buffalo fans had on their minds.



Did a guy at the Boston Garden really steal a beer from you during a broadcast? I heard you even said something like, ‘Hey, that guy stole my beer!’



I did, too. I’ve heard the tape. It wasn’t in the Boston Garden, it was in Hartford. I was working with Mike Robitaille at that time. The beer was sitting in front of me, and the guy picked it up and took off. I yelled, ‘HEY, THAT GUY STOLE MY BEER!” right on the air. One of the other fans went after him. I got it...