Few, if any, Buffalo Sabres reporters have a deeper understanding of the NHL organization's rich history than WGR 550 Radio's Paul Hamilton, who's covered the team for over three decades.
So, it was notable when Hamilton decided to speak out after the Sabres announced former captain Mike Ramsey would handle the ceremonial puck drop ahead of Thursday night's Olympics sendoff game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the KeyBank Center.
"Could you finally do the right thing and retire the number of the best defenseman in Sabres history? I think it's disgraceful they're being so stubborn about this," Hamilton wrote on Twitter/X.
Ramsey, who was part of Team USA's Miracle on Ice hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics, spent the first 14 years of his NHL career in Buffalo.
The 1979 first-round draft pick made four All-Star Game appearances and earned Norris Trophy votes in four different seasons while a member of the Sabres. He also wore the 'C' as the team's captain for two years beginning in 1990.
Ramsey was ultimately traded to the Penguins in March 1993 but not before scoring 263 points (58 goals and 205 assists) in 911 games for Buffalo
Who would Mike Ramsey join if his No. 5 jersey is retired by the Buffalo Sabres?
The Sabres have only retired eight jersey numbers during their 56-year existence. Here's a look at all of the former stars who've received the team's highest honor:
- Defenseman Tim Horton (No. 2)
- Forward Rick Martin (No. 7)
- Forward Gilbert Perreault (No. 11)
- Forward Rene Robert (No. 14)
- Forward Pat LaFontaine (No. 16)
- Forward Danny Gare (No. 18)
- Goalie Ryan Miller (No. 30)
- Goalie Dominik Hasek (No. 39)
Martin, Perreault and Robert rightfully hang in the rafters together under a banner that reads “The French Connection.” They formed one of the best lines in NHL history.
Legendary play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret also sits in the rafters with his “RJ” moniker in place of a number.
Miller was the most recent number retirement in 2023.
Ramsey certainly deserves his place among those most memorable players to ever don a Blue and Gold jersey.
Now is a perfect time to announce he'll be the newest addition to the exclusive group. Not only is it richly deserved, but no current member of the Sabres roster wears No. 5. No Buffalo player has done so since Matt Tennyson in 2018-19, according to Hockey Reference.
Ramsey was previously inducted into both the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2001.