Sports

Bruins anthem singer Rene Rancourt will retire after season

BOSTON — Rene Rancourt, who has performed the national anthem for more than 40 years prior to Bruins games, announced he will retire following the season.


A staple at The Boston Garden and TD Garden, Rancourt's signature fist-pump following the anthem was modeled after the "Stump Pump" of former Bruin Randy Burridge. He is a trained opera singer and veteran of the United States Army. 

The Bruins announced they plan to honor Rancourt prior to the final regular season game of the year on April 8 against the Florida Panthers.