The Philadelphia Athletics had a powerhouse team in the early 1930s, but the Great Depression would see the owner, Connie Mack, unload his best players to keep the team afloat.  As such, there was not a lot of talent left for the Athletics afterward, but Bob Johnson was an exception to that rule.

After three years with the Boston Bruins, Quebec-born Center, Andre Savard joined the Buffalo Sabres in 1976, bringing another French Canadian to their roster.

In the 2013 Draft, Rasmus Ristolainen was a highly coveted prospect from Finland, and the Sabres agreed, as they captured him with the number eight pick.

The New York Islanders took Tim Connolly, an American-born Center with the Fifth Overall Pick, in 1999.  Two years later, at the 2001 Draft, he was traded within the state to Buffalo for Michael Peca, and like the person he was traded for, injuries would come to define his career.