( Photo Credit: Charles Krupa/AP )

By: Jonathan Turcotte | Follow me on Twitter / X @akaJonnyT

For the better part of two decades, Jack Edwards was the voice of Boston Bruins hockey. Now, he’s joining the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, one of the state’s highest honors for broadcasters.

The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association officially welcomed Edwards during a ceremony held last week at the Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center in Framingham. He joins a 2026 induction class that includes WBZ-TV sports director Steve Burton, former radio host Jordan Rich, and the late WCVB reporter Clark Booth. The Hall of Fame now includes more than 175 members, and this year’s event drew a packed room of supporters, friends, and industry colleagues to celebrate the new class.

For anyone who tuned into a Bruins game over the last twenty years, seeing Edwards receive this kind of recognition is hardly a surprise. He joined NESN in September 2005, initially calling road games before taking over full-time play-by-play duties alongside color commentator Andy Brickley for the 2007-08 National Hockey League (NHL) season. From that point forward, he quickly became one of the most recognizable voices associated with the franchise. He was even awarded a 2011 championship ring for his contributions to the organization.

Edwards was never interested in being an impartial observer, and that is exactly why the fanbase loved him (and why opposing fanbases found him to be polarizing). He was a fan with a microphone, living and dying with every shift just like the people watching at home. His broadcasts were famous for their high energy, unabashed homerism, and an entire dictionary of unique catchphrases.

Whether he was welcoming viewers from “high above the ice,” describing a bouncing puck as a “tumbling muffin,” exclaiming that a particularly heavy shot contained “Chinese mustard,” or comparing a Bruins playoff win over Montreal to the American Revolution, he provided an extra layer of entertainment while also providing the facts.

His chemistry with fellow University of New Hampshire alum Andy Brickley was a staple of the broadcast and a major reason for its longevity. While Edwards brought the chaotic energy and literary references, Brickley provided a steady, analytical hockey mind. Together, they created one of the most balanced and entertaining commentary duos the league has ever seen.

Edwards spent more than a decade at ESPN, where he anchored SportsCenter and handled play-by-play for several sports. He also called the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. He then returned to his New England roots and settled into his role with the Bruins.

Edwards stepped away from the NESN broadcast booth in April 2024, announcing his retirement following the first round of the playoffs. The decision came after he openly discussed seeking speech therapy to address noticeably slowed speech. Since retiring, both the Bruins and NESN have continued recognizing Edwards’ contributions. He received a golden stick during an on-ice ceremony, a mural was unveiled in the broadcast booth, and he later returned to TD Garden as the “Fan of the Game.”