Red Fisher, who spent nearly 60 years covering the Canadiens for the Montreal Gazette and Montreal Star, died Friday at 91-years-old.
With the announcement of his passing, the sports world reacted by sharing thoughts and memories of the legendary reporter.
MORE: Longtime Montreal hockey writer Red Fisher dies at 91
Commissioner Bettman statement on the passing of Red Fisher. https://t.co/VQUrNIZS7n pic.twitter.com/tDjbHtIEL8
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 19, 2018
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of the legendary Red Fisher, who covered the Canadiens in seven separate decades from 1955 through 2012.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 19, 2018
Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5aKsvylH7s
In the foreword to Red Fisher’s “Hockey, Heroes and Me,” Ken Dryden wrote how — in (rare) rough stretches during the Habs dynasty — he’d sometimes sit awake through sleepless nights, pondering, “I wonder what Red thinks.” No greater sign of respect to a journalist. @NHLNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 19, 2018
Red Fisher telling the story of his first assignment— The Rocket Richard Riot at the Montreal Forum, March 17, 1955. pic.twitter.com/j2s2ZH1XvZ
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 19, 2018
One of my treasured moments was in 2005 when Red Fisher pulled me aside and told me he enjoyed my coverage of the NHL lockout. I was shocked he knew who I even was. My knees almost gave. His nod of approval meant so much to me. Absolute legend
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 19, 2018
Every one of us who ever put pen to paper, crafted words to convey thoughts, and had the honor of chronicling the greatest game on earth, owes a debt of gratitude to Red Fisher.
— John Giannone (@jaygeemsg) January 19, 2018
Hockey, and every one of us, is better because of you.
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Classic photo from @mtlgazette files of Red Fisher, who died today at age 91, with Jean Béliveau. Two hockey legends who will never be forgotten #Habs #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/TS71NgBzkF
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) January 19, 2018
I remember asking Red Fisher at the closing of the Montreal Forum what made it such a special place. “Nothing,” he said. “It’s just a building. What made it remarkable were the people in it.”
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) January 19, 2018
Red was one of those special people. He’ll be missed by all whose lives he touched.
A ticket stub from the night #Habs honoured Red Fisher at the Bell Centre #HabsIO #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/w86mgdn9cM
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) January 19, 2018
When I first started working in hockey 11 years ago I met Red Fisher in the press box and awkwardly told him I’d been reading his work forever. “I’ve been writing it forever,” he said, making himself laugh. It was the only time I ever saw him really smile. He was a loveable grump
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 19, 2018
Red Fisher is easily in the pantheon of great North American sportswriters. For someone never fortunate enough to visit the Montreal Forum, his writing brought it to me. https://t.co/IZ1UPtxXJR
— Arian Ravanbakhsh (@adravan) January 19, 2018
A table in Bell Centre media dining room was known as Red Fisher's table. No one sat there until Red invited you. When he did it was sign of respect. Never forget the day I got the invite. Thanks, Red, for allowing me to sit + chat all those times with the legend you were. RIP.
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) January 19, 2018