Buffalo Sabres Arena

Buffalo Sabres Arena - Table of Contents Public Art - Table of Contents

2008 Photos - Alumni Plaza - Buffalo Sabres Arena
1 Seymour Knox III Plaza
Buffalo, NY

History of building names:

1996-2000 Marine Midland Arena

2000-2011 HSBC Arena

2011-2016 First Niagara Center

2016-2026 KeyBank Center

On this page, below:

2008 Photos - BEFORE MURAL AND SCULPTURE INSTALLED

2015 Photos - Mural

2026 Photos - Second Mural

Alumni Plaza

2015 Photos - French Connection sculpture

2008 Photos - BEFORE MURAL AND SCULPTURE INSTALLED

Details, from left to right:

2008 Photo - Left: entrance to parkling ramp

2008 Photo - West side of parking ramp

2008 Photo

2008 Photo - Four neon sculptures

2008 Photo - East end of the plaza Arena entrance at right

East entrance features a bas-relief sculpture of four buffalo ornamenting the canopy

2008 Photo - West end of the plaza Arena entrance at right

2008 Photo

2015 Photos - Mural

2015 Photos - Details below, from left to right:

2015 Photos

2015 Photos
.

2026 Photos - Mural

2026 Photo

2026 Photo

.2026 Photo

.

Reprint

"French Connection"
Buffalo Sabres (online February 2026)

On October 12, 2012, the Buffalo Sabres unveiled the newly named "Alumni Plaza" outside KeyBank Center, designed to honor all former members of the team. As part of the plaza's transformation, the six concrete columns that support a pedestrian walkway above the plaza were surrounded by bricks and mortar. Every player ever to play a game for the franchise is commemorated with a plaque on those bricks, detailing his first game with the Sabres.

Also unveiled that day was the centerpiece of Alumni Plaza: a cast in bronze statue depicting the French Connection. Comprised of center Gilbert Perreault, left wing Rick Martin and right wing Rene Robert, the French Connection is widely considered to be one of the greatest forward lines in NHL history and remains the most celebrated offensive unit in Buffalo Sabres history. The trio, all of whom were French-Canadian, was dubbed 'The French Connection' - after the 1971 film of the same name - and played together in Buffalo from the team's acquisition of Robert on March 4, 1972 until his departure on October 5, 1979.

Between them, the members of The French Connection played 2,396 games for the Sabres, scoring 1,116 goals and registering 2,573 total points. During their tenure in Buffalo, the three were honored with a combined 15 NHL All-Star Game appearances and seven selections to the First and Second NHL All-Star Teams. All three are members of the Sabres Hall of Fame and have had their numbers officially retired from use by the Sabres. Perreault, the franchise's first ever draft pick, served as the team's captain for five seasons and retired after 17 NHL seasons - all with the Sabres.

Inspiration for the statue came from a photograph taken during a playoff game at Memorial Auditorium on April 27, 1975 which features all three members of The French Connection. The photograph was taken by award-winning photographer Ron Moscati. During the game in which the photograph was taken, all three members of the French Connection scored a goal to lead the Sabres to a playoff win against the Montreal Canadiens.

To design and construct the statue, the Sabres commissioned distinguished American sculptor Jerry McKenna. McKenna is well known for his sports statues, and was named the 2003 'Sports Sculptor of the Year' by the All-American Football Foundation. A specially-designed pedestal, constructed by HHL Architects of Buffalo, features an integrated lighting system and an illuminated informational panel which provides a base for the statue.

2015 Photos - French Connection sculpture

Left, middle, right sections below:

Rick Martin

Gilbert Perrault

Gilbert Perrault

Rene Robert