Gilbert Perreault(born November 13, 1950) is aCanadianformer professionalice hockeycentrewho played for 17 seasons with theNational Hockey League'sBuffalo Sabres.He was the first draft pick of the Sabres in their inaugural season in the NHL. He is well known as the centre man for the prolific trio of Sabres forwards known asThe French Connection.The trio helped the Sabres reach the1975 Stanley Cup Finals.
| Gilbert Perreault | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey Hall of Fame,1990 | |||
 Perreault in 1975 | |||
| Born |
November 13, 1950 Victoriaville,Quebec, Canada[1] | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Buffalo Sabres | ||
| National team |
 Canada | ||
| NHL draft |
1st overall,1970 Buffalo Sabres | ||
| Playing career | 1970–1987 | ||
He was inducted into theHockey Hall of Famein 1990. Known for his ability to stickhandle in close quarters, he is regarded as one of the most skillful playmaking centres of all time.[2]In 2017 Perreault was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.[3]
Perreault was a standoutjunior hockeyplayer who went on to be selected to nineNational Hockey League All-Star Gamesand two post-seasonNHL All-Star teams(second team centre), while winning theCalder Memorial Trophyand aLady Byng Trophy,and being selected to theHockey Hall of Fame.He played his entire 17-year career with the Buffalo Sabres and continues to be the all-time franchise leader in career regular season games played,goals,assists,points,game-winning goals, andshots on goal,serving as the team's captain from 1981 until his retirement in November 1986. He led the team to 11 consecutive playoff appearances ending with the 1984–85 season.[4]
Over the course of his 17-season career he accumulated 512 goals and 814 assists in 1191 games. Among his career highlights was the game-winning goal in overtime of the 1978National Hockey League All-Star Gameplayed at theBuffalo Memorial Auditorium.Perreault once totaled seven points in a single game, which remains a Sabres record. He also recorded the first power play goal and the first hat trick in the team's history. He is the only Buffalo Sabre to wear number 11, with the number being retired in his honor.
Early life
editPerreault began playing organized hockey at about age six.[5]He preferredstreet hockeyto playing on the ice and did not skate until he was eight.[6]He began playingminor ice hockeyat age nine. He played in the 1961, 1962 and 1963Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournamentswith Victoriaville.[7]He left home at the age of 16 to join his first junior hockey team.[5]His first year (1966–67) of junior hockey was spent withThetford Minesin theQuebec Junior A League.His teammates includedMarc Tardif.The team won the league championships.
Playing career
editAmateur career
editAfter the Quebec Junior A League shut down, Perreault joined theMontreal Junior Canadiensof theOntario Hockey Association(OHA) for the 1967–68 season, the first of three years with the Junior Canadiens. His 49 points in 47 games helped the Junior Canadiens to a second-place finish. During his second year on the team, one that included future NHL talentsRéjean HouleandAndré Dupontas well as future professional teammatesJocelyn GuevremontandRichard Martin,Perreault blossomed. His 97 points were second on the team to Houle's 108 points, and they earned him OHA first All-Star team honours. As Perreault blossomed, the team excelled. In his second season, the team finished first in the OHA and won the 1969Memorial CupCanadian Junior championship. It was the first Memorial Cup win for Montreal since 1950.[5]
After Houle moved on to become the NHL's first overall pick, Perreault assumed the leadership role and compiled a 51-goal, 71 assist season, which led the team in both categories and place second in the league toMarcel Dionne's 132 points.[8]The Canadiens defeated theWeyburn Red Wingsto become the third junior team to successfully defend their championship and the Memorial Cup. Perreault was named theOntario Hockey Associationmost valuable player.[2]
The record of the 1969 and 1970 Montreal Junior Canadiens in the playoffs was so outstanding it caused a change in Memorial Cup eligibility rules. Previously, all Junior clubs in Canada were eligible for the cup, but the Junior Canadiens beat a club fromPrince Edward Islandso badly in the playoffs that 'Junior A' was re-organized into 'Major Junior' and 'Junior A'. Since then, only Major Junior clubs are eligible for the Cup.
Professional career
editIn1970,two new franchises were awarded in the NHL — the Buffalo Sabres and theVancouver Canucks.It was a foregone conclusion Perreault would be the first selection in the 1970 Entry Draft. The two new teams took part in aroulette wheelspin to determine who would get the first pick. Ultimately, the Canucks were allocated numbers 2-6 on the wheel, while the Sabres had 8-12 (The number 7 spot was neutral, meaning the pointer landing on it would have required a re-spin). When league presidentClarence Campbellspun the wheel, he initially thought the pointer landed on 1 (in reality, the wheel had no number 1 spot) and started to congratulate the Vancouver delegation. However, Sabres coach/general managerPunch Imlachasked Campbell to check again. As it turned out, the pointer was on 11.[9]Imlach had chosen 8-12 for the roulette wheel spin because it included 11, which was his favourite number.[5]This was the first year theMontreal Canadiensdid not have a priority right to draftQuébécoisjunior players. Consequently, Perreault was available and taken first overall by the Sabres.[10]
Coincidentally, Perreault had worn #11 throughout his junior career, and kept it in Buffalo in honour of the roulette wheel choice. As expected, he became an immediate star. He scored a goal in the franchise's very first game, which was a 2–1 victory on October 10, 1970, against thePittsburgh Penguins.[4]During his first season, he led the Sabres in scoring (with 38 goals and added 34 assists) — a feat he would never fail to accomplish in any season in which he did not miss significant time to injury before his penultimate year — and won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.[11]
Perreault developed a reputation as a superb stickhandler,[6]and scored a goal on his first shift in a professional scrimmage.[12]Bobby Orronce said of Perreault: "His head and shoulders go one way, his legs go the other way, and the puck is doing something else. When I first saw it I couldn't believe it."[13]His popularity and respect surpassedO. J. Simpsonin a poll of Buffalonians about the best Buffalo athlete.[6]Phil Espositoonce said if anyone was to break his 76-goal, 152 point season records "It will be Gilbert Perreault."[6]
Before the1971–72 NHL seasonthe Sabres drafted Perreault's Junior Canadiens teammate,Rick Martin,with their first pick. The two jelled as a tandem with each scoring 74 points. Late in the season the Sabres tradedEddie ShackforRene Robert.[4]The trio formed one of the decade's most memorable and excitinglines,known as "The French Connection"with Robert on right wing and Martin on left wing. They ended the following 1972–73 season sweeping the top three scoring positions for the team and leading the franchise to its first playoff appearance with Perreault winning the Lady Byng Trophy as the most gentlemanly player. In 1973–74, Perreault endured a broken leg that limited him to 55 games.[2]
The1974–75 NHL seasonwas memorable for the Sabres'Stanley Cup Finalsappearance. The Sabres finished first in the newly reformatted league'sAdams Division,and the French Connection members each finished in the top ten in league scoring. The Sabres defeated original six teamsChicago Black HawksandMontreal Canadienson their way to a Finals appearance against thePhiladelphia Flyers.[4]The Sabres lost the series four games to two. 1975 was the closest Perreault would come to winning the Stanley Cup.
International career
editPerreault was named to theCanadian national team( "Team Canada" ) that participated in the1972 Summit Seriesagainst theSoviet Union.He managed to contribute two points in two games but left the team after game five.[5]
In 1976, Canada hosted the first Canada Cup series. Perreault played with future Hockey Hall of Fame members such as Bobby Orr,Darryl Sittler,Bobby Hull,Guy LafleurandMarcel Dionne.Perreault often played on a line with fellow Québécois Lafleur and Dionne. Canada won the series after beating Czechoslovakia in a best two out of three. He later played in the1981 Canada Cupon a line withWayne Gretzkyand Lafleur. He was playing some of the best hockey of his career, leading all scorers with nine points in four games, when he was forced out of the tournament with a broken ankle. Canada lost the final to theUSSR8–1. Perreault was named to the All Tournament Team, despite playing in only four of Canada's seven games.[14]
Retirement
editPerreault retired at the end of the 1985-86 season. Thereafter, pension changes came into effect significantly boosting the pensions of retired players who played at least 20 games in the1986-87season. He duly came out of retirement and still played effectively, scoring 9 goals in the first 14 games.[4]He retired for good on November 24, 1986, after his 20th game.[4]
He finished his career with scoring totals of 512 goals and 814 assists for 1326 points in 1191 games. At the time of his retirement, Perreault was the sixth leading scorer in NHL history. Along with the other two members of the French Connection, Perreault was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1989. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Sabres retired his number 11 in the same year, having been the only player to ever wear number 11 for the Buffalo Sabres; his #11 was the first number retired by the Sabres.[5]When hisFrench Connectionlinemates' numbers were retired, Perreault's #11 was lowered and raised back betweenMartin's#7 andRobert's#14, as the Buffalo Sabres retired the French Connection line as a group, marking the first three players to have their numbers retired by the Sabres. A statue of "The French Connection," unveiled in 2012,[15]is located outside of the Sabres' arena, known today as KeyBank Center.[16]
Since his retirement from hockey, Perreault has remained active in the game, coaching Junior teams in theQuebec Major Junior Hockey League.In addition, he also plays on occasion with theBuffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Teamfor charity events.[17]
Personal life
editPerreault is married to Carmen, has two sons, Marc-André (born 1978) and Sean (born 1986), and still resides in his hometown of Victoriaville, Quebec. After retiring from playing, Perreault coached junior ice hockey, and invested in real estate.[18]In his spare time, Perreault enjoys golfing, listening to music, and going to the movies.[5]
Career achievements
edit- Holds franchise record for most games (1191), goals (512), assists (814) and points (1326) with the Buffalo Sabres.[19]
- Won theCalder Memorial Trophyin1971.[11]
- Won theLady Byng Memorial Trophyin1973.[20]
- Named anNHL second team All-Starin1976and1977.[21]
- Chosen to play in eightNHL All-Star Gamesin1970–71,1971–72,1973–74,1974–75,1976–77,1977–78,1979–80,and1983–84,[21]as well as the1979 Challenge Cup,which pitted NHL players against a team representing theSoviet Union,in place of an all-star game in 1979.
- In 1998, he was ranked number 47 onThe Hockey News'list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.[22]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1967–68 | Montreal Jr. Canadiens | OHA-Jr. | 47 | 15 | 34 | 49 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 5 | ||
| 1968–69 | Montreal Jr. Canadiens | OHA-Jr. | 54 | 37 | 60 | 97 | 29 | 14 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 10 | ||
| 1969–70 | Montreal Jr. Canadiens | OHA-Jr. | 54 | 51 | 71 | 121 | 26 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 38 | 4 | ||
| 1970–71 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 78 | 38 | 34 | 72 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1971–72 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 76 | 26 | 48 | 74 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972–73 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 78 | 28 | 60 | 88 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 2 | ||
| 1973–74 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 55 | 18 | 33 | 51 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1974–75 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 68 | 39 | 57 | 96 | 36 | 17 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 10 | ||
| 1975–76 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 44 | 69 | 113 | 36 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | ||
| 1976–77 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 39 | 56 | 95 | 30 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 4 | ||
| 1977–78 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 79 | 41 | 48 | 89 | 20 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 1978–79 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 79 | 27 | 58 | 85 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1979–80 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 40 | 66 | 106 | 57 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 8 | ||
| 1980–81 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 56 | 20 | 39 | 59 | 56 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 2 | ||
| 1981–82 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 62 | 31 | 42 | 73 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 1982–83 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 77 | 30 | 46 | 76 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 1983–84 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 73 | 31 | 59 | 90 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 78 | 30 | 53 | 83 | 42 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 | ||
| 1985–86 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 72 | 21 | 39 | 60 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 20 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1,191 | 512 | 814 | 1,326 | 500 | 90 | 33 | 70 | 103 | 44 | ||||
International
edit| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | CC | 7 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | |
| 1981 | Canada | CC | 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 2 | |
| Senior totals | 11 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 4 | |||
See also
editNotes
edit- ^"Gilbert Perreault".The Internet Hockey Database.Retrieved2007-07-24.
- ^abc"The Legends:Gilbert Perreault".legendsofhockey.net.Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum. 2007.Retrieved2007-07-24.
- ^"100 Greatest NHL Players".NHL.January 27, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 27,2017.
- ^abcdef"Buffalo Sabres".Tank Productions. 2007-05-10.Retrieved2007-07-24.
- ^abcdefg"One on One with Gilbert Perreault".legendsofhockey.net.Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum. 2007. Archived fromthe originalon March 11, 2007.Retrieved2007-07-24.
- ^abcdDryden, p. 123.
- ^"Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA"(PDF).Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.2018. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2019-03-06.Retrieved2019-01-01.
- ^"1969-70 Ontario Hockey Association [OHA]".hockeydb.Retrieved2008-10-10.
- ^Duhatschek, Eric; et al. (2001).Hockey Chronicles.New York City: Checkmark Books.ISBN0-8160-4697-2.
- ^"First Overall Selections".National Hockey League.Archived fromthe originalon 2009-07-03.Retrieved2008-06-20.
- ^ab"Calder Memorial Trophy".NHL. Archived fromthe originalon 2006-04-23.Retrieved2007-08-21.
- ^Bailey, p. 12.
- ^McKinley, p. 180.
- ^"1981 Canada Cup".Hockey Canada.Retrieved2008-10-10.
- ^"Sabres unveil statue honoring French Connection".Usatoday.Retrieved2022-08-01.
- ^DeLuca, Dave (July 23, 2020) [September 19, 2016]."20 years, 1 building, 4 names: Buffalo's downtown arena".The Buffalo News.
- ^"Buffalo Sabres All-Time Roster".2008-10-10. Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2011.
- ^Kostya Kennedy (1998-03-02)."Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo Sabres Center".Sports Illustrated. Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2008.Retrieved2008-10-10.
- ^"Retired numbers".Buffalo Sabres. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-09-12.Retrieved2008-10-10.
- ^"Lady Byng Memorial Trophy history".NHL. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-03-05.Retrieved2007-08-20.
- ^ab"Gilbert Perreault".Buffalo Sabres. Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2008.Retrieved2008-10-10.
- ^Steve Dryden and Michael Ulmer (1998).The Top 100 Nhl Hockey Players of All Time.McClelland & Stewart Ltd.ISBN978-0-7710-4175-4.
References
edit- Bailey, Budd,Celebrate the Tradition: 1970–1990,Boncraft Inc., 1989
- Dryden, Steve,The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time,Transcontinental Sports Publications, 1997,ISBN0-7710-4175-6.
- McKinley, Michael,Hockey Hall of Fame Legends: The Official Book,Triumph Books, 1993,ISBN1-57243-093-1.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orHockey-Reference,orLegends of Hockey,orThe Internet Hockey Database