Gilbert Perreault

Gilbert Perreault was a Canadian centre who spent his entire 17-year career with the Buffalo Sabres, remaining the franchise's all-time leader in games, goals, assists and points.

Gilbert Perreault was born in Victoriaville, Quebec in 1950. Buffalo Sabres selected him first overall in the 1970 NHL Draft. His entire 17-season career was spent with the Sabres — making him the franchise's all-time leader in goals, assists and points. He won the Calder Trophy as best rookie in 1971 and the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship in 1973. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990 and named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. He was the centre of the French Connection line alongside Rick Martin and René Robert — one of the most offensively productive forward lines of the 1970s. He led Buffalo to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1975, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. He scored 512 career goals and 814 assists for 1,326 points — all franchise records. He is the most celebrated player in Buffalo Sabres history and one of the finest individuals in the 1970 draft class that produced Orr-era talent.

Perreault was renowned for his exceptional skating ability, considered one of the most fluid and graceful skaters in NHL history. He possessed outstanding puck-handling skills and vision, making him a dangerous offensive threat who could both score goals and set up teammates with precision passes.

Perreault established the Buffalo Sabres as a competitive franchise and remains the greatest player in team history, with his number 11 retired by the organization.

• Calder Trophy (1971)
• Lady Byng Trophy (1973)
• 9-time NHL All-Star
• Hockey Hall of Fame inductee 1990
• number 11 retired by Buffalo Sabres