Sabres play-by-play broadcaster Rick Jeanneret on Friday said that test results last week showed he is "cancer free." In Buffalo, John Vogl noted Jeanneret conducted the "ceremonial puck drop" prior to Friday night's Oilers-Sabres game as part of "Hockey Fights Cancer Night." Jeanneret said on the TV broadcast, "On Tuesday I had a PET scan, which basically covers your whole body. Wednesday evening we got a call at home saying, 'You're all clear.' That means for the moment I’m cancer free." Jeanneret has "been off since announcing in July he had throat cancer" (BUFFALO NEWS, 11/9).
STEP RIGHT UP: In N.Y., Bob Raissman reported SNY is "close to naming Steve Gelbs as its Mets roving reporter, replacing Kevin Burkhardt, who moved to Fox Sports." But sources said that there was a "division in the management ranks over who should get the gig, with some wanting to go the outside route, checking out talent not already in the SNY stable." Gelbs had "filled in for Burkhardt the past two seasons" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/9).
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick wrote new MSG Network reporter Shannon Hogan, who became the Islanders’ TV studio host and in-game reporter prior to this season, "is a keeper." She is "personable, prepared, pays attention, seems fluent in hockey, asks decent between-periods questions and doesn’t seem to be doing an imitation of those assigned to such positions." She also is "creative, eager to put faces and personalities to guys mostly seen beneath helmets" (N.Y. POST, 11/9).
PULLING DOUBLE DUTY: In Houston, David Barron profiled CBS "College Football Today" analysts Spencer Tillman and Brian Jones, who "confer during the week on each Saturday’s show and arrive in New York on Friday to prepare for pregame rehearsals." Both men "have activities away" from the show. Jones, who is an "aficionado of yoga, has started a clothing line called Yoga Is My Gym and also co-hosts an evening show on CBS Sports Radio." Tillman "does motivational speaking, works with the Rotary Club of Houston to develop and promote the Lombardi Trophy awards program and co-hosts a Texans postgame show" Sunday nights on Houston-based KTRK-ABC (CHRON.com, 11/7).
WRITING A FAREWELL NOTE: Arizona Republic columnist Bob Young noted he is "leaving sports" after 35 years to join the newspaper's Explore Arizona team, where he will "be writing about running, cycling, triathlons, mountain biking, trail running and other things" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/8).
