The Buffalo Sabres were well represented at the NHL100 ceremony on Friday night when the NHL revealed it's top one hundred players of all time.
Congrats to our 1st overall draft pick Gilbert Perreault on being named to the #NHL100! pic.twitter.com/q98FKq6D28
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 28, 2017
Gilbert Perreault, Pat LaFontaine, and Dominik Hasek were bestowed with the high honor during the NHL100 ceremony on Friday night in Hockeywood.
Former Sabres captain Tim Horton was recognized on January one as of of the top 33 players in NHL history.
Perreault, Buffalo first ever draft choice in 1970, was chosen as one of eight centers representing the ear of the "1970s". Perreault was honored along with Philadelphia Flyer Bobby Clarke, Los Angeles Kings star Marcel Dionne, Boston Bruins and NY Rangers great Phil Esposito, Montreal Canadiens legend Jacques Lemaire, Chicago Blackhawks icon Stan Mikita, Boston Bruins and NY Rangers star Jean Ratelle and Toronto Maple Leaf legend Darryl Sittler.
LaFontaine was recognized as a center for the "1980s"era as the star center of the NY Islanders. Lafontaine was recognized alongside the greatest player to ever play in the NHL, Wayne Gretzky. Edmonton Oilers and NY Rangers heart and soul Mark Messier, Chicago Blackhawks star Denis Savard, Quebec Nordiques wizard Peter Stastny and NY Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins great Bryan Trottier were also feted as NHL100 players.
Buffalo Sabres Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek and Montreal Canadiens/Colorado Avalanche back bone were selected as the top goalies of "1990s" era Patrick Roy.
Perreault amassed 1,326 career points (512 goals, 814 assists). If you grew up in Western New York and you played road and ice hockey, the player you wanted to be was #11 Gilbert Perreault, who alongside Rick Martin and Rene Robert formed the famed "French Connection" line. Perreault won the 1970-71 Calder Trophy and the Lady Byng in 1972-73. Perreault was and still is a rock star in Buffalo.
Hasek was Ed Belfour's under study in Chicago and was traded to Buffalo in 1992 where he revolutionized the goaltending position with his own unique brand, techniques and improvisation. Hasek did everything humanly possible while wearing a Sabres sweater, however, he could not win a Stanley Cup which he did in Detroit. Hasek still is in second place on Buffalo's all-time list in wins with 234. He still owns the best GAA and SV% in Buffalo history with (2.22 and .926. Hasek had 55 career shutouts.
Check out Hasek's list of accomplishments:
1993-94 William M. Jennings Trophy 1993-94 Vezina Trophy 1994-95 Vezina Trophy 1996-97 Hart Memorial Trophy 1996-97 Lester B. Pearson Trophy 1996-97 Vezina Trophy 1997-98 Hart Memorial Trophy 1997-98 Lester B. Pearson Trophy 1997-98 Vezina Trophy 1998-99 Vezina Trophy 2000-01 William M. Jennings Trophy 2000-01 Vezina Trophy 2007-08 William M. Jennings Trophy
One of my favorite NHLers of all time was a humble, down to earth leader of men. A serious concussion limited Pat Lafontaine to just 268 games in Buffalo 1991-1997, however, he will always be admired and revered as being one of the most ferocious, passionate players to ever wear the crossed swords sweater. In 1995, Lafontaine scored 53 goals and 95 assists for 148 points. In 1992-93, he and Alexander Mogilny made magic and captured the hearts and minds of Sabre Nation when thny combined for 275 total points. Lafontaine's 148 points combined with Mogilny's 76 goals and 51 assists in 77 games played was next level stuff that won't be soon forgotten. Lafontaine was the little engine that could. He played 530 games with the NY Islanders and scored 54 goals in 1989-90. Lafontaine won the 1994-95 Bill Masterton Trophy.
La-la-lafontaine in LaLa land. ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ™‚ðŸ‘🼠#NHL100 pic.twitter.com/JHopKkvw0S
— NHL (@NHL) January 28, 2017
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I'm miffed that the NHL stiffed former Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets star Dale Hawerchuk. How does the NHL justify blowing off a guy who scored 518 goals and 891 assists in 1.188 career NHL games?
Hawerchuk scored 30+ goals ten different times during his illustrious 17-year NHL career.
I shake my head.
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Congratulations to former Sabres goalie Grant Fuhr for his inclusion in the NHL100
Congrats to Sabres alum Grant Fuhr on being named to #NHL100! pic.twitter.com/CNohF72tRC
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 28, 2017
Over a 10-year period, Grant Fuhr led the Oilers to five Stanley Cup championships between 1984 and 1990.
Fuhr also won the 1987-88 Vezina Trophy, and the 1993-94 William M. Jennings Trophy.
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