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The Buffalo Sabres (image submitted with release)
The Buffalo Sabres (image submitted with release)

Buffalo Sabres to retire Dominik Hasek's jersey

by jmaloni

Submitted

Tue, Oct 21st 2014 04:20 pm

No. 39 will be the seventh Sabres jersey hoisted to the rafters

The Buffalo Sabres will officially retire the jersey of goaltender Dominik Hasek, one of the most prolific goaltenders in NHL history, in a ceremony scheduled to take place Jan. 13, 2015, prior to the team's home game against the Detroit Red Wings at First Niagara Center.

Hasek, who was the fifth and final Sabres player to wear No. 39, will be the seventh player in franchise history to receive the honor of having his jersey retired to the rafters. He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame March 29 and will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Nov. 17.

Hasek will join six other Sabres legends who have had their jerseys officially retired from use by the team. Other retired jerseys include: Gilbert Perreault (No. 11, retired in 1990); Rick Martin (No. 7, retired in 1995); Rene Robert (No. 14, retired in 1995); Tim Horton (No. 2, retired in 1996); Danny Gare (No. 18, retired in 2005); and Pat LaFontaine (No. 16, retired in 2006).

Originally acquired by the Sabres from the Chicago Blackhawks Aug. 7, 1992, Hasek remains one of the most decorated goaltenders in league history, appearing in a total of 491 games for the Blue and Gold during a span of nine seasons from 1992-2001. While backstopping the Sabres, he became the first goaltender in NHL history to win the Hart Trophy twice (1997 and 1998), while also capturing six Vezina Trophies (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001), as well as the William M. Jennings Trophy (1994 and 2001) and the Lester B. Pearson Award twice (1997 and 1998).

During his time in Buffalo, Hasek held numerous franchise records and, upon his departure from the Sabres, owned the records for most all-time games played (491), wins (234), shutouts (55) and lowest career goals-against average (2.22). Hasek appeared in a career-high 72 games for the club in the 1997-98 season, setting a team record with 13 shutouts, only to follow that up with a career-best 1.87 GAA, .937 save percentage and a Stanley Cup Final berth in 1998-99.

After his time with the Sabres, Hasek spent a total of four seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he earned a pair of Stanley Cup championships (2002 and 2008). He also suited up for the Ottawa Senators during the 2005-06 season.

When he retired from the NHL in 2008, Hasek finished with 389 career wins, and also ranked inside the top 10 in several statistical categories, including highest career save percentage (.922), most games played by a European-born goaltender (735), most career shutouts (81) and lowest career goals-against average (2.13). In international competition, the Pardubice, Czech Republic, native won a gold medal in the 1998 Winter Olympic Games and a bronze medal in the 2006 Games.

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