Rene Robert, the Sabres legend who is immortalized with a statue outside Buffalo’s arena and his name in the rafters, has suffered a serious heart attack in Florida, according to multiple sources. It is believed to be life-threatening.
Despite spending part of the year down south, the 72-year-old Robert has remained a fixture in western New York since arriving via trade in 1972. The Quebec native was an instant hit in Buffalo, joining center Gilbert Perreault and left wing Rick Martin to form “The French Connection,” one of the most feared lines in NHL history.
Advertisement
Robert scored 40 goals in his first full season and helped lead Buffalo to the Stanley Cup Final in his third. It was just the fifth year of existence for the franchise, and the rapid ascent fueled by The French Connection helped turn the Sabres into an essential part of life in Buffalo.
Robert scored the overtime goal in the famous Fog Game during the 1975 Final, shooting through the mist to give Buffalo a victory over Philadelphia in Game 3. The Flyers won the series in six games, but it was the start of a long run of success for the Sabres.
“He was the missing piece of The French Connection,” Rip Simonick, the Sabres’ equipment manager since Day 1 of the franchise, said by phone Friday. “We were the worst team in the league the year before, but it goes to show you if you put three solid players together, you could go as far as they can carry you.
“Those guys were great as The French Connection, so the competition in practice was just as hard as the games and maybe harder. They had to practice against Don Luce, Craig Ramsay and Danny Gare, so they all honed their skills to become great combinations. That top six was the top six of any era. It was a pleasure to watch.”
Robert spent eight seasons in Buffalo and skated toward the top of the franchise scoring list. His 552 points, recorded in just 524 games, rank sixth all time. Robert is fifth with 330 assists and ninth with 222 goals.
But it was more than just numbers. Perreault, Martin and Robert gave the Sabres an identity in the NHL and on the streets of Buffalo. They were matinee idols, instantly recognizable in restaurants and clubs.
Robert parlayed that into commercials that continue today. His face and pearly whites can be seen in dental implant ads that frequent Buffalo airwaves.
His family has long owned season tickets to the Sabres, allowing them to look up at his name and number. The organization retired his No. 14 in November 1995, six years after inducting him into the team’s Hall of Fame.
Advertisement
Robert reached bronze status in 2012. The Sabres unveiled a French Connection statue outside the doors of KeyBank Center, making it the centerpiece of Alumni Plaza. It is swarmed by picture-taking fans before home games and during off days.
Robert is the second member of the trio to suffer a heart attack. Martin died in a one-car crash in 2011 after having a heart attack while driving. He was 59.
“Every time there is something that involves Gilbert and I and we talk about The French Connection, he’s missed,” Robert said at the statue unveiling.
(Photo: Steve Babineau / NHLI via Getty Images)
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57kW9taW9lZ3xzfJFqZmluX2aFcL%2FAm6meq12hsqixzZ1kq52emnqzu8Geqa1ln6OybrvFZp2rnZ6YtW6vzqelnpuknryvedOroKhlmJbAbr%2FEq6CoraNitaat0a1kmqyklrCsew%3D%3D