Sabre Noise
Fansided

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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Buffalo Sabres
BUFFALO, NY – NOVEMBER 9: A general view of the Buffalo Sabres French Connection statue honoring former Sabres Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and Rick Martin at the KeyBank Center on November 9, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. Ottawa beat Buffalo 2-1 after a shootout. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /

The French Connection

Gilbert Perreault’s #11

Perreault was nearly the first overall pick of the expansion Vancouver Canucks had Punch Imlach not contested the numbers on the roulette wheel that would determine the first overall pick. After NHL President Clarence Campbell saw the error that Imlach pointed out, he rightfully awarded the Buffalo Sabres the first overall selection, which they used to select Perreault.

Perreault was the first of three legendary Sabres that would become known as the French Connection. The group of forwards would dominate the NHL throughout the 1970s, and Perreault’s numbers show that he is no exception.

Throughout his career in Buffalo, Perreault logged 1,326 points in 1,191 games, 512 goals, and 814 assists. He also enjoyed a career shooting percentage of 16.6. Perreault won the Calder Trophy in his rookie season, the Byng Trophy in 1973, two Second Team NHL All-Star honors, and he competed in six All-Star games.

Rick Martin’s #7

Martin played 681 of his 685 career games with the Sabres and just four with the Los Angeles Kings. He arrived in Buffalo the season after Perreault, and they immediately became a dynamic duo. Martin finished second for the Calder in his rookie season, but he would go on to earn First and Second Team All-Star honors on four different occasions. Martin also played in seven NHL All-Star games.

For his career with the Buffalo Sabres, Martin tallied 681 games, 695 points, 382 goals, and 313 assists. He would have a career shooting percentage of 15.2.

Rene Robert’s #14

Robert joined the Sabres in the second half of the 1971-72 NHL Season, scoring nine points in 12 games. And in 1972-73, he became the third member of the French Connection, appearing in 524 games with the Sabres and scoring 552 points, 222 goals, and 330 assists in that span.

Robert played in two All-Star games, and he even earned Second-Team NHL All-Star honors in the 1974-75 season. Following his time in Buffalo, Robert spent a stint with the Colorado Rockies before he returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he started his career with.

Retirement Ceremonies

Perreault’s number was the first to be retired in team history. He would also be the only Buffalo Sabre to wear number 11. When the Sabres decided to retire Martin’s and Robert’s numbers 7 and 14, they briefly lowered Perreault’s number from the rafters before re-raising it between the #7 and #14, symbolizing the Sabres as retiring the French Connection line simultaneously.

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