Rene Robert

Buffalo Sabres Forward

The induction of Rene Robert into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame is a tribute not only to a great player, but also to one of the greatest scoring lines in the history of professional hockey. Robert played right wing for the Buffalo Sabres from 1972-1979 as a member of the fabled “French Connection.” Experts generally agree that the line of Robert, Rick Martin and Gilbert Perreault ranks among the top five all-time lines in the history of the National Hockey League.

The line was so fast and played with such unity that when the “French Connection” was on the ice, defenders were unable to ease up, even for an instant. Robert was a great playmaker, feeding quick, accurate passes to Martin and Perreault. But if defenders tried to overplay them, Martin and Perreault had no reluctance about passing the puck back to Robert. Robert was the first right winger in the Sabres history to score more than 100 points in a season. In just eight seasons, he amassed 222 goals and 330 assists, a total of 552 points, including 32 game-winners in 524 games and scored 22 goals and had 39 points in playoff games. In 1975, he was voted team MVP. Robert was also one of the best in the game at scoring on the power play. Today he ranks seventh on the Sabres all-time scoring list and fourth in playoff goals.

Robert often did not get as much of the spotlight as Martin or Perreault did, but it never bothered him. He never complained. Instead, he continued his quiet, unselfish play night after night, giving up the puck to Martin and Perreault for the sake of the team. Still one of the Sabres’ most popular players, Robert was also a good citizen. He often participated in many benefits for the American Cancer Society, Children’s Hospital and other worthwhile causes.

With his induction in 1994, Rene Robert joined fellow “French Connection” members Gil Perreault and Rick Martin in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.