After 40-plus years of firing up Boston crowds before Bruins games, Rene Rancourt will be stepping away.

The Boston Bruins announced on Wednesday that Rancourt will be retiring at the end of the 2017-2018 season. The 78-year-old veteran of the US Army has been performing the American and Canadian national anthems prior to Bruins games since the 1975-1976 season. Prior to that, Renecourt began singing the national anthem at Boston Red Sox games.

Rancourt has always been known for his iconic voice, incredible tuxedos and his signature fist-pump, which he modeled from former Bruins forward Randy Burridge. Following the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, Rancourt would sing the national anthem prior to the Bruins-Sabres matchup at the TD Garden. In what will be remembered as one of the most notable moments in Bruins history, the capacity crowd would join him in song on April 17, 2013.

The Bruins also announced that they will pay tribute to the longtime performer during the final regular season home game on April 8 against the Florida Panthers at "The Garden."

 

 

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