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Buffalo Sabres Four Nations Teams: Canada

Posted on by Melissa Burgess
Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] View of a Team Canada logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

As the 4 Nations Face-off ends tonight in Boston with what should be a rousing game between Canada and the United States, we continue our attempt to put together an all-Sabres Four Nations roster. Today, we continue with Team Canada.

This time, we’ve got a decent pool to select from: 370 Canadian-born players have suited up for the Sabres in their careers, so we’re able to make a full roster: three goaltenders, seven defensemen and 13 forwards. Let me be clear — this was not easy. There were a lot of good players who didn’t make the cut, and quite frankly, you could fill two or three full rosters from the list.

Again, I’m taking into consideration first and foremost, how these players performed during their careers – no matter how brief – with the Buffalo Sabres, but also considering their overall performances as pro hockey players in their careers, as unfortunately some players seem to blossom when they leave Buffalo. As you’ll see, most of these players have long since retired, so let’s have some fun and imagine an all-time team even if some of these guys would never have had the chance to play together.

Forwards (13)

  • Dave Andreychuk: drafted by Buffalo 16th overall in 1982; played 12 years with Buffalo over two different stints, scoring 804 points (368-436) in 837 games. Also played for Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Toronto, Boston & Colorado. Career total 1,338 points (640-698) in 1,639 games. Retired in 2006.
  • Daniel Briere: played 225 games with the Sabres over four seasons between 2002-2007, scoring 230 points (92-138). Also played for Philadelphia, Phoenix, Montreal & Colorado before retiring in 2015. Career total 973 games and 696 points (307-389). Captain from 2005-07 and also in Feb. 2004.
  • Mike Foligno: played 10 seasons with the Sabres between 1981-1991, scoring 511 points (247-264) in 664 games & adding 1,448 PIMs. Also played for Toronto, Detroit & Florida. Career total 1,018 games, 727 PTS (355-372) and 2,047 PIMs. Captain from Feb. 1989 – Dec. 1990.
  • Danny Gare: drafted by Buffalo 29th overall in 1974; played eight seasons with the Sabres from 1974-1982, amassing 500 points (267-233) in 503 games. Also played for Detroit & Edmonton. Career total 827 games, 685 points (354-331). Captain from 1977-1981.
  • Dale Hawerchuk: played five seasons with Buffalo from 1990-1995, scoring 385 points (110-275) in 342 games. Also played with Winnipeg, Philadelphia & St. Louis. Career total 1,188 games, 1,409 points (518-891).
  • Rick Martin: drafted by the Sabres 5th overall in 1971; spent 10 seasons with Buffalo from 1971-1981, scoring 695 points (382-313) in 681 games. Also played for Los Angeles. Career total 685 games, 701 points. Part of the French Connection.
  • Michael Peca: played five seasons in Buffalo from 1995-2000, scoring 217 points (96-121) in 363 games. Also played for New York Islanders, Columbus, Vancouver, Edmonton & Toronto. Career total 864 games, 465 points. Captain from 1997-2000..
  • Gilbert Perreault: drafted by the Sabres 1st overall in 1970; played his entire NHL career with the Sabres, scoring 1,326 points (512-814) in 1,191 games. Calder winner (1971) and Lady Byng winner (1973). Captain from 1981-1986. The original Sabre! Part of the French Connection.
  • Jason Pominville: drafted by the Sabres 55th overall in 2001; played 733 games for the Sabres over 11 seasons in two different stints, scoring 521 points (217-304). Also played for Minnesota. Career total 1,060 NHL games and 727 points (293-434). Captain from 2011-13, and also in March 2008.
  • Craig Ramsay: drafted by the Sabres 19th overall in 1971; played his entire NHL career with the Sabres, scoring 672 points (252-420) in 1,070 games from 1971-1985. Selke winner (1985).
  • Rene Robert: played eight seasons with Buffalo from 1971-1979, putting up 552 points (222-330) in 524 games. Also played for Toronto, Colorado (Rockies) and Pittsburgh. Career total 744 games, 702 PTS. Part of the French Connection.
  • Ric Seiling: drafted by Buffalo 14th overall in 1977; played nearly his entire career with the Sabres, appearing in 664 games over nine seasons from 1977-1986 and amassing 376 points (176-200). Also played for Detroit. Career total 738 games, 387 PTS.
  • Pierre Turgeon: drafted by Buffalo 1st overall in 1987; played five seasons with the Sabres from 1987-1992, amassing 323 points (122-201) in 322 games – nearly a point per game average. Also played for St. Louis, New York Islanders, Dallas, Montreal & Colorado. Career total 1,327 points (515-812) in 1,294 games.

Defenders (7)

  • Bill Hajt: drafted by Buffalo 33rd overall in 1971; played his entire career, 14 seasons, with Buffalo, amassing 244 points (202 assists) and 433 PIMs in 854 games.
  • Tim Horton: played two seasons with Buffalo between 1972-1974, appearing in 124 games with the Sabres. Also played for Toronto, New York Rangers & Pittsburgh; Career total 1,445 NHL games with 518 points and 1,611 PIMs. Number retired in 1996 by Buffalo.
  • Jay McKee: drafted by Buffalo 14th overall in 1995; played 10 seasons with the Sabres between 1995-2006, for 582 games with Buffalo. Also played with St. Louis & Pittsburgh, for a career total 802 NHL games with 622 PIMs and 125 points.
  • James Patrick: played six seasons with Buffalo between 1998-2004, accruing 74 points in 345 games while averaging 17:10 TOI (per Hockey-Reference). Also played for Calgary, Hartford & New York Rangers. Career total 1,280 NHL games with 639 points, 759 PIMs and a +100 rating. Drafted 9th overall in 1981 by NYR. Captain in Dec. 2003.
  • Larry Playfair: drafted by Buffalo 13th overall in 1978; played 10 seasons with Buffalo on two different stints at the beginning & end of his NHL career, amassing 577 games with the Sabres. Also played with Los Angeles. Career total 688 NHL games, 120 points and a whopping 1,814 PIMs.
  • Lindy Ruff: drafted by Buffalo 32nd overall in 1979; played 10 seasons with the Sabres between 1979-1989, amassing 285 points and 1,128 PIMs in 608 games. Also played for the New York Rangers. Career total 691 NHL games, 300 PTS and 1,266 PIMs.Captain from Nov. 1986 – Feb. 1989.
  • Jim Schoenfeld: drafted 5th overall by Buffalo in 1972; played 11 seasons with Sabres over two stints in his career, amassing 228 points and 1,025 PIMs in 584 games. Also played for Detroit & Boston. Career total 719 NHL games, 355 PTS and 1,132 PIMs. Captain from Oct. 1974 – 1977.

Goaltenders (3)

  • Martin Biron: drafted by Buffalo 16th overall in 1995; played nine seasons with Buffalo between 1995-2007, for a 134-115-29 record with a 2.53 GAA and .909 save percentage. Also played for Philadelphia, New York Islanders & New York Rangers. Total 508 career NHL games, 179 of which he started.
  • Don Edwards: played six seasons with Buffalo between 1976-1982, for a 156-83-61 record with 2.91 GAA and .896 save percentage. Also played for Calgary & Toronto. Total 459 career NHL games; drafted by San Diego Mariners 135th overall in 1975 WHA Amateur Draft.
  • Bob Sauve: drafted by Buffalo 17th overall in 1975; played nine seasons with Buffalo between 1976-1985, for a 119-76-39 record with a 3.21 GAA and .877 save percentage. Also played for Chicago, Detroit and New Jersey. Total 420 career NHL games.
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