BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The French Connection is together again in Buffalo.
The hometown Sabres are unveiling a statue to honor the famed trio, one of hockey’s finest forward lines, in a ceremony Friday night outside the First Niagara Center.
Not even the NHL lockout could dampen spirits 40 years after the French Connection first played together in October 1972.
The bronze statue depicts all three members of the line — Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and the late Rick Martin — and will serve as the anchor of the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Plaza.
The trio, made up solely of French-Canadian players, earned its famous nickname after the 1971 film of the same name. In 2,396 games with the Sabres from 1972-79, Perreault, Robert, and Martin combined for 1,116 goals and 2,573 points.
The statue’s design and construction was done by sculptor Jerry McKenna.
