Buffalo Sabres' Veteran Rick Martin Dies

At 1:00 p.m today, Rick Martin was pronounced dead at a hospital in Buffalo.  Martin's car drifted across lanes on a road, rolling onto the shoulder, striking a utility pole, coming to rest against a tree.  Martin was seen asleep behind the wheel after he had, "An undetermined medical emergency."

Martin's "French Connection" line-mate Rene Robert found out about his close friends death soon after hearing his brother died earlier Sunday in Montreal.  Robert said, "It's like a bad dream...First my brother, then my left winger."  The center on the same line, Gilbert Perreault, said, "It's a reminder that you never know in life. I mean, he was 59. That's young, and he always seemed to be in such good shape."


Rick Martin was drafted fifth overall in '71 and scored a then-record 44 goals in his rookie season.  Martin served on the famous "French Connection" line.  Martin's #7 ,  Robert's #14, and Perreault's #11 have all been retired and there banners hang together in the HSBC Arena. For today's victory against Ottawa, the Sabres wore helmet decals with Martin's name and number and pointed there sticks at his banner before the game.  He is survived by his wife Mikey and there two sons, Corey and Josh.