Robert John Ray is a Canadian sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League in 1999 for leadership and humanitarianism. He was known for his role as an enforcer and currently holds the Sabres record for most penalty minutes in one player's tenure with the club with 3,189 penalty minutes.
Ray with the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team in 2011
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along with the Vancouver Canucks, when the league expanded to 14 teams. The Sabres have played their home games at KeyBank Center since 1996, having previously played at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium since their inception. The Sabres are owned by Terry Pegula, who purchased the club in 2011 from Tom Golisano.
A statue of the French Connection line stands outside KeyBank Center. Consisting of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, and Rene Robert, they played together from 1972 to 1979.
The Sabres playing a game during the 1998–99 season. The Sabres were later crowned the Eastern Conference champions following the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Lindy Ruff was awarded the Jack Adams Award in 2006. He was the second Sabres coach to win the award.
Thomas Vanek was re-signed in 2007 after the Edmonton Oilers offered him a seven-year offer sheet.
