Defense – Jim Schoenfeld
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1972-73 – 1981-82; 1984-85
Record: 584 games played (45-183-228), 1,025 PIM
Schoenfeld’s plus-60 rating in 1979-80 was good for the team lead, and his 1,025 penalty minutes throughout his career are among the top 10 in franchise history. In fact, Schoenfeld holds the record for second-best plus/minus in a season, behind only Don Luce; Schoenfeld had a plus-60 in the 1979-80 season.
Another record: most penalty minutes by a rookie. Schoenfeld set that record at 178 in 1972-73, breaking Doug Barrie’s previously-held record of 168. Schoenfeld’s record would stand for some 19 years, until Brad May would notch 309 PIMs in his rookie year.
Along with Korab, Schoenfeld is one of just five defensemen in Buffalo Sabres history to record a hat trick; he did so on March 13, 1981 at Winnipeg. He’s tied with Robert for most shots on a goal in a single game (12, recorded December 10, 1978 against Toronto).
Schoenfeld was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1995. During his playing career, he appeared in two NHL All-Star Games (1977, 1980). He was also selected to the NHL All-Stars roster for the 1979 Challenge Cup, alongside Gilbert Perreault. However, Schoenfeld was unable to participate due to injury.
Schoenfeld captained the team between 1974 and 1977. He also coached the team from June 1985 until January 1986, going 19-19-5 in that stretch.
Next: Jerry Korab