IMAGE INFORMATION
EditRené Paul Robert - Born December 31, 1948 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec – Died June 22, 2021 in Port Charlotte, Florida was a Canadian ice Hockey right winger and president.
Robert played in the 1961 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with Trois-Rivières.
- Adams Cup Champion 1968 with Tulsa Oilers.
- Prince of Wales Trophy Champion 1975 with Buffalo Sabres.
Robert made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 13, 1971 vs Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in a 3-2 Flyers win.
Robert scored his 1st NHL goal vs Gary Edwards of the Los Angeles Kings on October 13, 1971 at 6:31 of the 1st period at Great Western Forum in a 4-1 Pittsburgh Penguins win. His goal was the game winner.
Robert played on the famous French Connection forward line with Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin from 1972 to 1979, each player being born in Quebec. Together, they scored 738 goals and 1,681 points in 1,536 games.
Robert scored the first playoff overtime goal in the history of the Buffalo Sabres on April 10, 1973, in Game 5 vs Montreal Canadiens in a 3-2 Buffalo win. René had 2 goals, 1 assist in the game.
Robert played 744 regular season NHL games, scoring 284 goals (36 GWG), 418 assists and 50 NHL playoff games, scoring 22 goals (4 GWG / 3 OTG) and 19 assists.
Robert had the 1st 100 point season for the Buffalo Sabres during the 1974-75 NHL season, scoring 40 goals, 60 assists.
Robert played in the 1973 and 1975 NHL All-Star Games.
Robert had 4 NHL hat-tricks in his career, his first one in his home Province of Quebec vs the Montreal Canadiens at The Forum on November 13, 1974. He had back to back hat-tricks on February 13 and February 14, 1977.
Robert had a knack for the 13th day of the month, making his NHL debut, scoring his 1st NHL goal and having 17 goals and 20 assists all during NHL games played on the 13th.
After retiring from the NHL, Robert acted as president of the NHL Alumni Association.
René Robert was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1989.
René Robert was inducted into to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.
The Buffalo Sabres retired his number 14 on November 15, 1995, along with number 7 of Rick Martin. They were put beside number 11 of Gilbert Perreault, forming The French Connection forward line.
A statue of the famous French Connection forward line, unveiled in 2012, is located in front the Buffalo Sabres arena, KeyBank Center.