Buffalo Sabers is a professional hockey club that plays in the National Hockey League. The base is located in the state of New York (Buffalo). The club has a rather rich history, and it is worth briefly telling about it.
The beginning of the story
The Buffalo Sabers Club was founded in 1969, December 2. The initiators of this idea were Norsrup and Seymour Knox. First of all, they hired a head coach and general manager. He became George Imlah. This man was famous - during his coaching career, he four times became the owner of the Stanley Cup. Plus, his “Toronto” played twice in the final of the playoffs.
In 1970, the Buffalo Sabers hockey club found its first draft pick in the new draft. The right of choice has been used. Gilbert Perrault decided to draft - he played for the Montreal Canadiens. The young central forward for the first season scored 38 goals. Naturally, he was recognized as the best brand new hockey player of the year and was handed over by “Calder Trophy”. At the next draft in the Buffalo, Rick Martin was chosen.
In 1971/72, the club acquired Rene Robert - a promising forward. The coach decided to reduce all three young players to the bottom.
Basically, the early years at Buffalo Sabers were pretty good. So, for example, the club completed the 1974/75 season with a result of 49 wins (!), 16 losses and 15 draws. And these figures remain the best in the entire history of this hockey club.
Further success
Buffalo Sabers is a hockey club whose emblem depicts a powerful and aggressive bison. It reflects the spirit of the team itself. “Blades”, as they are called (after all, in addition to the wild animal, there used to be two blades there), they really tried to demonstrate their fighting spirit and corresponding mood in all games. So, for example, in 1976, on January 4, the American team defeated the Russian “Wings of the Soviets” with a score of 12: 6, which was the biggest defeat in the history of the confrontation between Russia and America.
In general, this club played six times with Russian teams. Four times they won, two - lost. In addition to a resounding victory over the “Wings" they managed to beat even with a crushing score of 6: 1 CSKA.
In 1979, the coach changed. They became Scotty Bowman. And this man spent 404 matches with the club, of which there were 210 victories. Only 60 draws and 134 losses. It was he who transformed and improved the Buffalo Sabers. The composition of Scotty rejuvenated - he attracted the most promising and youngest hockey players at that time, and this had a positive effect on the quality of the game.
From the 90s to the present day
In 1991, John Mackler became the director of hockey operations. He is a 5-time Stanley Cup holder. In October of the same year, he acquired Pat Lafontaine, who formed an excellent connection with Alexander Mogilny (he escaped from CSKA and reached America in transit) - in a pair of hockey players scored 129 goals for the season.
And everything went well, but in 1996, Seymour Knox III, one of the founders of the club, died. The following season, it was decided to change the tone of the form. Now it has become black and red, not blue and gold. Then the club has a new arena - “HSBC Arena”. And then the club took first place in the Northeast Division.
Then the team was taken under control by a new coach named Lindy Ruff. He managed to bring the players to the final part of the Eastern Conference.
In 1998, the second of the Knox brothers died. The club continued to exist and win. In 1999/2000, the jubilee, thirtieth season for the team passed. In the next, they got 46 victories and missed less than all the other teams. Then the team proved: “Buffalo Sabers” is a hockey club, which is one of the best and brightest in the USA.
Interesting Facts
There were many stars and record holders in this club. So, for example, Pat Lafontaine scored the most points for the season - as many as 148! The highest number of goals, assists and points also belongs to Gilbert Perrault. There are 1326 on his account for the period from 1970 to 1987. Most of the pucks were thrown into the opponents ’goal by Alexander Mogilny - the one who escaped from CSKA. He has 76 of them per season.
Most winning pucks are listed among Danny Geir and Alexander Mogilny - 11 each. Most of the assists made Pat Lafontaine (95 of the season). Most of the penalty minutes were recorded by Rob Ray - 354 (!) For the season. In general, as you can see, the team really has a lot of achievements and a rather rich, eventful history. And you can be sure that all the most interesting is just ahead.