The signature moment of Terry Pegula's introductory news conference Tuesday was when the Buffalo Sabres' new owner said he couldn't look to his right. Couldn't look at the section of the HSBC Arena atrium where the team's alumni were sitting because once he saw Gilbert Perreault, he'd break down and cry. Then he did look.
Tears were inevitable. Terry Pegula knew as much long before taking the podium Feb. 22 and introducing himself to Buffalo as the Sabres' new owner. He prepared the best he could under the circumstances. He knew his children would be sitting in the front row, a few feet away. He knew Gilbert Perreault, his favorite player, would be somewhere in the HSBC Arena atrium. He knew their presence would intensify emotions that already were running high that day.
As we get set for the Sabres' 40th anniversary season, thinking back on the first 39 campaigns is like going through a time capsule of NHL hockey in Buffalo. Here are 40 memories, some that are time- tested classics. The first game. It was a 2-1 win at Pittsburgh on Oct. 10, 1970. Jim Watson scored the first goal and Gilbert Perreault scored the winner.
His passion poured out almost immediately Tuesday when he mentioned Gilbert Perreault's name for the first time. Terry Pegula paused and tried to collect himself, but it was hopeless. Tears welled in his eyes before emotion stole his voice. Like many fans, he had adored old No. 11 since the early days of the Buffalo Sabres. The father in him emerged when he looked toward his son, Michael, the hockey player in the family, and began getting choked up. The regular guy in him came through in his nervous voice when acknowledging his hopes for winning the Stanley Cup. Wait, it was multiple Cups.
While trying to make a living in the risky gas and oil drilling business long ago, Terry Pegula promised that if he had two nickels to his name he would buy the Buffalo Sabres. Many nickels and one kept promise later, Pegula offered another vow: He will do whatever it takes to help the Sabres win their first Stanley Cup.
... address, Pegula pointed to Sabres legend Gilbert Perreault and said, "You're my hero." This from a ...
Any discussion about the Buffalo Sabres and their history has to involve the French Connection. The trio of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert defined the the franchise's first decade of existence. That's why coach Lindy Ruff wants this edition of the team present today when the town says goodbye to Martin.
It was difficult to tell who was more excited: Michael J. Fox for playing alongside former hockey star Gilbert Perreault, or the other way around. Man, it's very cool. It's thrilling," Fox said Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y., after meeting Perreault, a member of the Buffalo Sabres' famed French Connection of the 1970s. "I mean, I'm skating with the French Connection today. Give me a break. It's just insane. That's nuts. I love it.
The Sabres have invited all their alumni back for Friday's home game against Philadelphia, and so far more than 75 have accepted. p.m. update: A Sabres spokesman has just confirmed Gilbert Perreault's attendance for Friday night. He was not on the original list the team issued this afternoon. Dominik Hasek told reporters when he was here for his ceremonial faceoff last month that he would be unavailable to attend.
Jason Pominville laughed Thursday while recalling his teammates' expressions when they took their first tour of the Sabres' dressing room. You can imagine their initial shock as they poked their heads through the door and looked inside. It was as if Gilbert Perreault and George Jetson co-produced an episode of "Extreme Makeover. The 30,000-square-foot renovation is astonishing, really, with an attention to detail that chronicles the Sabres' past and punctuates their future. Their new changing quarters came courtesy of owner Terry Pegula and his wife, Kim, who have spared no expense in running a first-class franchise.
Jason Pominville says it's always a treat when former Buffalo Sabres stop by the dressing room. They bring stories and a connection to team history, both of which buoy the players' moods. Folks should be positively floating today, then, with more than 75 alumni walking the halls of HSBC Arena. From Paul Andrea to Randy Wyrozub, from Gilbert Perreault (1,191 games) to Steve Smith (three), the foot of Washington Street will be inhabited by Hall of Famers and fly-by-nighters from the organization's first 40 years.
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