The Amazing Story of the Boston Bruins’ National Anthem Singer

The Boston Bruins are known for having some legendary national anthem singers.

Rene Rancourt, from Lewiston, ME, sang the national anthem before every Bruins home game for 42 years. A very long and successful career.

When Rene Rancourt was nearing retirement, the Bruins were in need of a new star. The issue was Rene Rancourt was the GOAT. He was known around New England equally, or more than, some of the players.

Prior to a game during the 2017-2018 NHL season, a new star was born.

Todd Angilly was bartending in the TD Garden when, 15 minutes before puck drop, a woman with a headset came running to Angilly.

“She goes, ‘Todd!’ She’s screaming as she goes, ‘You have to sing,” he explained. “I happen to look out because the club (where he was bartending) is within the bowl and I look and it’s 6:45 and the game’s at 7.”

According to Angilly, in a Masslive article, “They had everybody up against the walls and they hustled me, and they were making me run. And I’m like, ‘I don’t run this fast! I don’t know what you want me from me. I didn’t do it!’”

With nothing but his bartending attire on, a TD Garden employee grabbed a jacket from a stranger, tossed it on Angilly, and sent him onto the ice.

With no prep time, Angilly had to sing the national anthem...and he crushed it.

Following the dramatic 15 minutes, Angilly was sent back in an elevator, alone. He went back to his bartending post and worked the rest of the night.

After Rene Rancourt finished out the 17-18 season, the Bruins hired Angilly to be the full-time anthem singer. But being the humble guy that he is, Angilly still works as a bartender during home games after singing the national anthem.

It's an incredible start to a cool profession. WE LOVE YOU TODD ANGILLY!

To see Angilly tell the story from his perspective, check out the official interview here.