BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres fans are remembering Rick Jeanneret — the voice behind some of the most iconic moments in Western New York sports history.

Jeanneret died Thursday at the age of 81.

For generations of folks from Western New York, Jeanneret provided the soundtrack with his energetic voice and exuberant style calling Sabres games on radio and later television broadcasts for more than 50 years.  

So it was a fitting tribute that an audio loop of some of his most famous calls played at KeyBank Center on Friday, as fans flocked to a large "RJ" sign outside of the arena to pay their respects.

"He is the voice of Buffalo," JoAnn Thomasson said. “Standing here, it’s super emotional just listening to all the calls and everything. It’s what I grew up with."

"When I was little, I’d go on YouTube and look up his greatest calls and just watch them over and over again,” Sam Gray said. “Me and my friends will quote it all the time. If we’re out, we’ll quote his greatest calls.”

Sabres fans headed to Alumni Plaza — some just to listen in, others to take pictures and leave flowers and mementos in memory of RJ.

"He amplified the entire crowd," Jeffrey Colson said. "When he’s talking hockey, you knew. You felt everything. You felt the electricity going through your body. It was huge."

Colson’s son is named Tyler Ryan — after former Sabres Tyler Myers and Ryan Miller. Tyler actually got Jeanneret’s autograph not long before he passed — a cherished moment for a young fan.

"I thought he was a very good announcer, and just the things that he announced was very different and unique from other people," Tyler said.

Hockey fans from as far away as Toronto who aren't even followers of the Sabres know and appreciate the voice of the legendary Hall-of-Famer.

"Talk about dedication, passion, commitment and a love of the game and you have to have that. I’m sure it wasn’t a job," said Mike Markicevic, who was in town from Toronto to watch a Buffalo Bisons baseball game. "It was a passion. It was a love and it was a contribution that will be sorely missed."

For 51 years, he made fans feel like they were inside the Aud or the arena — while they were in their cars or their living rooms.

"I know people always talk about when they were in nationally-televised games, you would turn off the TV sound and listen to RJ because nobody had the energy that he did for the Sabres," Thomasson said.

So many memorable calls and everyone has their favorites.

"Definitely, 'Oh brother, we are not worthy,'" Tyler Colson, 12, said.

RJ was right about that. For him, we are not worthy.