Gilbert Perreault is the GOD OF FINESSE. He was the heart and sole of the Sabres for 16 years. A class act all the way. His end to end rushes electrified crowds everywhere. He should be placed on top of his teammates shoulders for all he has done for the Sabres. He was THE original draft pick, (June 11, 1970) whom they built the francise around. His number 11 comes from how  the team acquired his number one pick. They held a lottery, (much  like they do now), but they picked numbers of which the Sabres were # 11. They added Richard Martin (44 goals in his rookie year) and Rene Robert later to make up the FRENCH CONNECTION. One of the most exciting lines in hockey.

 

		The FRENCH CONNECTION line was made up of the deadly combination of Gilbert Perreault, Richard Martin and Rene Robert. I use to love watching this line on TV when ever I could. They may look a little older in these pictures, but when they retire your number you should be a little older. I am trying to find some pictures of them in flight in the days when the Sabres use to accumulate over 100 pts a season.

 

		Not many teams retire a whole line. That is testament to how good this line was.