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11. Rene Robert

11. Rene Robert

Rene Robert debuted with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1970-71, and it caught the attention of the Buffalo Sabres, who plucked him in the Intra-League Draft of 1971.  His stay with Buffalo was not even a day, as the Pittsburgh Penguins then took him via the same draft.  The Sabres never forgot about the French Canadian as they traded Eddie Shack to get him in March of 1972.

Robert would be put on a line with Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin, and the three Quebecers became "The French Connection," the first phenomenal line in Sabres history.  Playing at Right Wing, Robert had 83 Points in his first full year with Buffalo, which also earned him a trip to the All-Star Game. Two years later, Robert had his best season in hockey, where he had an even 100 Points, another All-Star Game appearance, and a Second Team All-Star Selection, the only of his career.  The Sabres went to their first Stanley Cup this year, and Robert and the French Connection had a lot to do with it.

While Robert would never taste an All-Star Game again, he had at least 70 Points the next three years.  Following the 1978-79 campaign, Robert was dealt to the Colorado Rockies, and his Sabres run ended at 552 Points.

On November 15, 1995, Robert's number 14 was hung to the rafters on the same night as his linemate, Rick Martin.  Incidentally, all three French Connection members entered the Sabres Hall of Fame in 1989.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Right Wing
  • Acquired: Claimed from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Intra-League Draft 6/8/71.
  • Departed:

    Claimed from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Intra-League Draft 6/8/71.

    Acquired (2): Traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Eddie Shack 3/4/72.

    Departed (2): Traded to the Colorado Rockies for John Van Boxmeer 10/5/79.

  • Games Played: 524
  • Notable Statistics:

    222 Goals
    330 Assists 
    552 Points 
    401 PIM 
    1.05 PPG 
    +47 Plus/Minus 
    50.3 Point Shares 

    47 Playoff Games
    22 Goals
    17 Assists 
    39 Points 
    71 PIM 
    0.83 PPG 
    -3 Plus/Minus 

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Second Team All-Star (1975)
    All-Star (1973 & 1975)

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