Downtown in Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The French Connection
7 ⚜ 11 ⚜ 14
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Plaza
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, December 30, 2014
1. The French Connection Marker
Inscription.
The French Connection. 7 ⚜ 11 ⚜ 14. The combination of center Gilbert Perreault, left wing Rick Martin and right wing Rene Robert is widely considered to be one of the greatest forward lines in NHL history and remains the most celebrated offensive unit in Buffalo Sabres history. The trio, all of whom were French-Canadian, was dubbed 'The French Connection' and played together in Buffalo from the team's acquisition of Robert on March 4, 1972 until his departure on October 5, 1979. Between them, the members of The French Connection played 2,396 games for the Sabres, scoring 1,116 goals and registering 2,573 total points. During their tenure in Buffalo, the three were honored with a combined 15 NHL All-Star Game appearances and seven selections to the First and Second NHL All-Star Teams. All three are members of the Sabres Hall of Fame and have had their numbers officially retired from use by the Sabres. Perreault, the franchise's first ever draft pick, served as the team's captain for five seasons and retired after 17 NHL seasons - all with the Sabres. , Inspiration for the statue came from a Ron Mascati photograph taken during a playoff game at Memorial Auditorium on April 27, 1975 which features all three members of The French Connection. During the game in which the photograph was taken, all three members of the French Connection scored a goal to lead the Sabres to a playoff victory against the Montreal Canadiens. To design and construct the statue, the Sabres commissioned distinguished American sculptor Jerry McKenna.
The combination of center Gilbert Perreault, left wing Rick Martin and right wing Rene Robert is widely considered to be one of the greatest forward lines in NHL history and remains the most celebrated offensive unit in Buffalo Sabres history. The trio, all of whom were French-Canadian, was dubbed 'The French Connection' and played together in Buffalo from the team's acquisition of Robert on March 4, 1972 until his departure on October 5, 1979. Between them, the members of The French Connection played 2,396 games for the Sabres, scoring 1,116 goals and registering 2,573 total points. During their tenure in Buffalo, the three were honored with a combined 15 NHL All-Star Game appearances and seven selections to the First and Second NHL All-Star Teams. All three are members of the Sabres Hall of Fame and have had their numbers officially retired from use by the Sabres. Perreault, the franchise's first ever draft pick, served as the team's captain for five seasons and retired after 17 NHL seasons - all with the Sabres.
Inspiration for the statue came from a Ron Mascati photograph taken during a playoff game at Memorial Auditorium on April 27, 1975 which features all three members of The French Connection. During the game in which the photograph was taken, all three members of the French Connection scored a goal to lead the Sabres
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to a playoff victory against the Montreal Canadiens. To design and construct the statue, the Sabres commissioned distinguished American sculptor Jerry McKenna.
Erected 2012 by The Buffalo Sabres.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1972.
Location. 42° 52.534′ N, 78° 52.538′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Perry Street and Illinois Street, on the left when traveling west on Perry Street. Marker is about 10 car-lengths west of the intersection in an open plaza area on the north side of the First Niagara Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Seymour Knox III Plaza, Buffalo NY 14203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and specifically in Western New York. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
The French Connection is the nickname of a forward line that played for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League from 1972 until 1979. The line consisted of Hall of Famer Gilbert Perreault at centre and All-Stars Rick Martin and Renι Robert at left wing and right wing, respectively. All three players were French-Canadians from Quebec. The name referred to the origins of the players.
(Submitted on May 17, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.)
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, December 30, 2014
3. Eastward View
Towards Illinois Street.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, December 30, 2014
4. The French Connection
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 761 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 31, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.
