BOSTON (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Not only did the Bruins' regular season come to an end on Sunday, so did the career of a team longtime troubadour.
Rene Rancourt has sung the National Anthem before Bruins' home games for 42 years. Classically trained in music, his personal style is every bit as operatic as his voice. Rancourt dressed for each performance in a tuxedo and finished by emphatically pumping his fist. His antics made him beloved by fans, especially in his hometown of Lewiston.
Rancourt announced in January that this season would be his last. The team showered him with gifts before the final regular season game against the Florida Panthers on Sunday. The presentations included a gold-plated microphone and a framed jersey with autographs from the entire team.
Fans paid tribute to Rancourt with a sustained round of applause after his rendition of the National Anthem. They remained on their feet as he stepped forward onto the ice for the ceremonial puck drop. Bruins' captain Zdeno Chara promptly retrieved the puck and handed it back to Rancourt as a keepsake of the night.
