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Buffalo Sabres: Every retired number in franchise history

By Sion Fawkes

2 Jun 1998: Dominik Hasek #39 of the Buffalo Sabres in action during an Eastern Conference Playoff game against the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center in Washington D.C.. The Sabres defeated the Capitals 2-1.
2 Jun 1998: Dominik Hasek #39 of the Buffalo Sabres in action during an Eastern Conference Playoff game against the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center in Washington D.C.. The Sabres defeated the Capitals 2-1. /
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In 2022, the Buffalo Sabres added Ryan Miller’s famed #30 to their list of retired numbers. Which players received the honor before him?

The Buffalo Sabres have retired nine numbers in their history as an NHL franchise. And nearly every single one of them made a huge impact on the organization. Since only so many numbers exist, for a player to have their number retired is considered to be a true honor.

So if you are new to the Buffalo Sabres or if you are just looking to familiarize yourself with their history, this is an article that you will want to read. It outlines some of the most historic careers not only in team history, but also in NHL history.

Are you ready to relive some illustrious moments and even catch a fun fact or two? Keep reading, starting with a retired number of a man whose name you may be quite familiar with.

Buffalo Sabres
Canadian professional hockey player Tim Horton (1930 – 1974) (center) of the Buffalo Sabres skates in front of goalie Roger Crozier (standing in goal) as teammate Jim Schoenfeld (left) defends during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, early 1970s. (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images) /

A rundown of every retired number in Buffalo Sabres history: Tim Horton’s #2

Miles Gilbert Horton, as some have known him. And if his name is familiar to you, it is because Horton indeed co-founded the coffee and doughnut fast-food chain Tim Hortons. But Horton was also a legendary NHL player who played for 25 seasons in the league. And no, that is not a typo.

He spent most of those years up in Toronto with the Maple Leafs. But Horton also played for the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins before he joined the Buffalo Sabres for the 1972-73 season.

And despite joining the Sabres via an intra-league draft toward the tail-end of his career, he played in 124 games for the franchise, helping them reach their first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance in franchise history. His performance led general manager Punch Imlach, with whom he had connections with during his time with the Maple Leafs, to sign him to an extension.

Horton, however, would only play in 55 of the team’s scheduled 78 games, as he was killed in a single-car crash in the early morning of February 21st, 1974. He was 44 years old.

While Horton had a short career with the Sabres, it was nonetheless a memorable one, considering his presence did help the franchise reach its first of many playoff berths. But three of Horton’s teammates are arguably the most unforgettable players in franchise history.

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