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Throughout his 17-season NHL career, Gilbert Perreault played in nine NHL All-Star Games. While all were memorable to the Hall of Fame center, there is one that sticks out above the others.
“The 1978 All-Star Game that was held in Buffalo was very special to me,” recalled Perreault, who spent his entire pro hockey career with the Buffalo Sabres. “When you are selected to play in an All-Star Game, it is always a great honor.
“But the one in 1978 was different for me. It was in Buffalo, where I played. It was held in Memorial Auditorium in front of all those Buffalo hockey fans.”
Perreault was joined for that 31st NHL All-Star Game by future Hall of Famers such as Yvan Cournoyer, Marcel Dionne, Ken Dryden, Bob Gainey, Guy Lafleur, Lanny McDonald, Darryl Sittler, Bill Barber, Mike Bossy, Phil Esposito and Dennis Potvin, among others.
Perreault remembered the pregame introduction of the players in front of the sellout crowd of 16,433.
“When they introduce the lineups of both teams, they always save the players from the city the game is being played in until last,” stated Perreault, a native of Victoriaville, Quebec. “That year they saved the final introductions for Rick Martin and myself.
“Rick was introduced just before me. He got quite an ovation, as I expected he would.
“Then I could barely hear my name as I was introduced. As I skated on the ice the ovation was overwhelming.
“It was so loud and long.”
Jan. 24, 1978 marks the only time Buffalo has hosted the NHL All-Star Game. And the city rolled out the red carpet.
“The 1978 All-Star Game that was held in Buffalo was very special to me,” recalled Perreault, who spent his entire pro hockey career with the Buffalo Sabres. “When you are selected to play in an All-Star Game, it is always a great honor.
“But the one in 1978 was different for me. It was in Buffalo, where I played. It was held in Memorial Auditorium in front of all those Buffalo hockey fans.”
Perreault was joined for that 31st NHL All-Star Game by future Hall of Famers such as Yvan Cournoyer, Marcel Dionne, Ken Dryden, Bob Gainey, Guy Lafleur, Lanny McDonald, Darryl Sittler, Bill Barber, Mike Bossy, Phil Esposito and Dennis Potvin, among others.
Perreault remembered the pregame introduction of the players in front of the sellout crowd of 16,433.
“When they introduce the lineups of both teams, they always save the players from the city the game is being played in until last,” stated Perreault, a native of Victoriaville, Quebec. “That year they saved the final introductions for Rick Martin and myself.
“Rick was introduced just before me. He got quite an ovation, as I expected he would.
“Then I could barely hear my name as I was introduced. As I skated on the ice the ovation was overwhelming.
“It was so loud and long.”
Jan. 24, 1978 marks the only time Buffalo has hosted the NHL All-Star Game. And the city rolled out the red carpet.
and I got into hockey by playing street hockey with my friends. My first hockey game I went to was with my brothers Cub Scout troop it was the 92-93 season we were playing the Hartford Whalers that's also were I got my first hockey jersey Pat LaFontaine.
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