Sabres plan to unveil French Connection statue later this year

BUFFALO – Since their sizzling run in the 1970s, the members of the Sabres’ famed French Connection line – Rick Martin, Gilbert Perreault and Rene Robert – have been legendary, almost mythical figures around town

Now, literally, the famed trio will become larger-than-life.

The Sabres announced plans Thursday to immortalize the three by erecting a 10-foot bronze statue of the three together. The statue will be the centerpiece of a larger “Alumni Plaza,” which will be directly outside the First Niagara Center.

The plaza is still the planning stages, the team said. The statue will be unveiled on Oct. 12 to commemorate the line’s 40th anniversary.

“History has always been an extremely important facet of our organization’s philosophy,” Sabres president Ted Black said in a statement. “We hope this statue and the surrounding ‘Alumni Plaza’ will serve as a proper tribute to all the great players who have made this franchise what it is today.”

A photo from a 1975 playoff games featuring the three members will serve as the inspiration. All three scored in that game, leading the Sabres to a win over Montreal.

The Sabres have commissioned sculptor Jerry McKenna.

In addition, each player in franchise history will have name placed on plaques in the plaza.

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