The Buffalo Sabres hold a special place in the hearts of hockey fans, known for their passionate following and moments of thrilling on-ice action. But beyond the goals and the cheers lie hidden stories that paint a richer picture of the team’s legacy. Journey beyond the obvious with these surprising facts about Buffalo’s hockey heroes.
15 Little Known Facts about the Buffalo Sabres
- Almost Not the Sabres
- The names “Bisons” and “Mugwumps” were in the running before the owners settled on the iconic “Sabres” moniker.
- French Connection Fame
- The legendary “French Connection” line of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, and Rene Robert brought superstar flair to Buffalo during the 1970s.
- Aud Roots
- Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, nicknamed “The Aud,” was the Sabres’ beloved first home, known for its intimidating and rowdy atmosphere.
- Dominik the Dominator
- Goalie Dominik Hasek, renowned for his acrobatic and unconventional style, is considered one of the best to ever play for the Sabres.
- Expansion Brothers
- The Sabres entered the NHL in 1970 alongside their expansion sibling rivals, the Vancouver Canucks.
- Presidential Puck Drop
- Then-President Bill Clinton dropped the ceremonial puck at the first-ever NHL game played in Buffalo.
- Fog Game Frenzy
- A bizarre 1999 playoff game against Ottawa was delayed by heavy fog rolling into the arena, earning its place in NHL lore.
- The Goat Head Debacle
- In the early 2000s, a third jersey featuring a strange bison-goat hybrid logo was widely panned, leading to its swift retirement.
- Draft Lottery Luck
- The Sabres snagged elite talents like Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin, and Owen Power in recent years, thanks to high draft lottery picks.
- Thunder and Briere
- The duo of Chris Drury and Daniel Briere ignited the Sabres’ run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2006 and 2007.
- The Longest Shootout
- A 2014 shootout between the Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes went 16 rounds, setting an NHL record at the time.
- Coaching Legends
- Hockey Hall of Famers Scotty Bowman and Ted Nolan are among the legendary coaches who’ve guided the Sabres.
- “No Goal!” Controversy
- In the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals, Brett Hull’s Cup-winning goal for the Dallas Stars remains heavily disputed by Sabres fans due to a crease violation.
- A Franchise First
- Ryan Miller became the first Sabres goalie to win the Vezina Trophy (best goalie) in 2010.
- Embracing the Outdoors
- The Sabres participated in the first NHL Winter Classic in 2008, a memorable open-air spectacle at Ralph Wilson Stadium.