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A day in the life of Sabres play-by-play announcer Dan Dunleavy

A day in the life of Sabres play-by-play announcer Dan Dunleavy

Watch a full day in the life of Dan Dunleavy video in the video player above.

EDEN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Sabres fans have been blessed when it comes to who is in the booth calling their games.

Of course, no one will ever forget Rick Jeanneret, one of the greatest commentators of all time in the sport of hockey.

When Jeanneret decided to leave the booth, Dan Dunleavy was tasked with taking over the Sabres’ game-calling duties. Dunleavy has been with the organization since the 2013-14 season.

He’s a Toronto native, and while he’s not from the 716 area, he’s really immersed himself in what it means to be a Western New Yorker. His love for the Sabres and Bills, the wingers, and the city of Buffalo proves it.

When Dunleavy isn’t in the booth calling the shots during the NHL season, he lives a pretty good life.

His days consist of what many people dream of: spending all day with his dogs, Bandit, a local SPCA dog, and Timmy, an 11-year-old lab beagle. He has landscaped his backyard to make it the perfect playground for them.

“I used a leaf blower, rakes and chainsaws to cut down some trees that were blocking the path,” he said. “I basically cleared that path, and the dogs love it there.”

Even during the offseason, Dunleavy can’t help but catch up on the latest NHL news in his office, which is home to plenty of Sabres memorabilia.

“Ted Darling, of course, the original voice of the Buffalo Sabres, that’s the guy I grew up watching and listening to on TV,” he said, pointing to a poster of himself. “There’s a little bit of Ted Darling in the way I commentate the game — some longtime Sabres fans might notice that.”

That’s what Dunleavy will do over the next few months during the Sabres’ offseason.

He spends quality time with his puppies and enjoys kayaking with his wife, Barbara. Dunleavy doesn’t take these quieter days for granted, knowing his lifestyle will soon change as fall approaches and Sabres hockey returns to downtown Buffalo.

Sara Holland is a sports anchor and reporter at News 4. Follow her on Twitter @SaraaHolland and discover more of his work here.