It was not that long ago that the Buffalo Sabres announced their intention to retire the number of former Goalie, Dominik Hasek this season. The organization has now officially announced the date, as on January 13th, in their home game against the Detroit Red Wings, Hasek’s number 39 will be raised to the rafters at the First Niagara Center.
Hasek, who recently entered the Hockey Hall of Fame on the first ballot was a six time Vezina Trophy winner, a six time First Team All Star and more impressively a two time Hart Trophy winner as a Buffalo Sabre. In 1999, Hasek backstopped the Sabres to a Stanley Cup Final, where they came as closest in the organization’s history in hoisting the Cup. “The Dominator” would eventually win the Stanley Cup, but he had to join the Detroit Red Wings, where he would win the coveted trophy twice.
Hasek, who forced the trade out of Buffalo, did not leave Western New York on the best of circumstances, but as time often does, wounds have healed, and he is no longer a villain to the Sabres faithful, who frankly have had little to cheer for in years.
This is the 7th number retired by the Buffalo Sabres in their history.
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