Buffalo, NY (WBEN) -- The Buffalo Sabres have announced plans to erect a statue of three of their greatest players -- The French Connection -- in front of First Niagara Center.
The statue of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert is to be a centerpiece for "Alumni Plaza," honoring all former Sabres.
The statue will be based on one of the few images showing all three in action, in the same photograph. Ron Moscati took the iconic photograph during a playoff game in April 1975.
The project has been in development for some time, and the bronze, 10-foot-high statue is said to be in the final stage of production.
The Sabres plan to hold a special unveiling October 12, the night before the first home game of the regular season. The ceremony will commemorate the 40-year anniversary of the first game in which the celebrated line took the ice together.
While there have been great individual stars wearing the blue-and-gold, no forward line can match the fame of the French Connection. Three brilliant offensive players, all of French-Canadian descent, they worked their magic from 1972 to 1979, combining for 18 All-Star Game appearances. Their numbers -- 7, 11 and 14 -- are retired and hang from the rafters of First Niagara Center.
E-Mail
Print
