The story of the Buffalo Sabres is one of perseverance against long odds. Many thought that Buffalo was too small to support an NHL franchise and would have to rely on fans from across the border, but the city quickly proved the naysayers wrong. Supported from the beginning by an enthusiastic homegrown fan base and initially led by gifted management, the expansion team reached the pinnacle of the sport--the Stanley Cup Finals--in only five seasons.

"Then Perreault Said to Rico..." unearths many treasures from the Sabres' early years, colorful stories about the players and games that cemented Buffalo's reputation as a great NHL city. Learn the inside story of how the Knox brothers, Norty and Seymour, convinced the NHL to give Buffalo a shot. Follow the team's first coach and general manager, Punch Imlach, as he built a Stanley Cup contender from scratch. Relive the birth of the famed French Connection--Martin, Perreault, and Robert--and classic contests such as the infamous Fog Game. Look back on triumphs such as Danny Gare's 50-goal seasons and tragedies such as Tim Horton's accidental death during the 1973-74 campaign. Recall the exploits of many other Sabres greats: Jim Schoenfeld, Fred Atkins, Craig Ramsay, Jim Lorentz, even Taro Tsujimoto, the greatest fictional player in NHL history.

The key to this timeless collection of Sabres tales is author Paul Wieland, former longtime public-relations director in Buffalo. Wieland was with the team from the beginning, and his stories ring with authenticity and heart. His insider's view and honest profiles of players, coaches, and other personalities will delight true Sabres fans and bring to life the people who were the franchise's first heroes. "Then Perreault Said to Rico..." is the perfect way to reconnect with the Sabres' early years, which helped cement the team's place in NHL lore and is the next-best thing to a seat behind the glass in the Aud.