*This archive was originally written by Jordan Deshane
As hockey fans, we love to pour over the numbers. Analyzing stats, finding trends, and predicting future outcomes are some of the things that make hockey and sports enjoyable.
Numbers are found everywhere in this sport. From stats and records to attendance and revenue, the life of a hockey fan is consumed by numbers. They are even proudly displayed on the backs of the players’ sweaters.
The Buffalo Sabres have a rich history of often-used sweater numbers including 23 (used by 25 players), 24 (also used by 25 players) and 4 (used by 26 players). Here’s a look at the unique numbers that have only been worn by one player in team history. We’ll start with arguably the most unique number in NHL history.
#00: Martin Biron (1996)
Before he became one of the greatest goaltenders in team history turned media darling, Biron was an unheralded rookie goaltender. He only played three games wearing 00 and had an unremarkable 0-2 record with an .844 save percentage and a 5.05 goals-against average.
Interestingly, only two players since 1951 have worn 00 in the NHL. In addition to Biron, John Davidson wore 00 in 1978 while playing goal for the New York Rangers. The number is no longer allowed to be worn and remains one of the most unique to appear on an NHL sweater.
#11: Gilbert Perreault (1971-1987)
Arguably the greatest player in franchise history, the No. 11 will only ever be stitched on a blue and gold sweater for one player. Gilbert Perreault was the first player ever drafted by the team and holds many franchise records, including the most points scored donning the Sabres colors.
In the 1970 NHL Draft, the Vancouver Canucks and Sabres had an equal chance to pick first overall. Each team was assigned a number and the pick was decided by spinning a wheel. The wheel landed on eleven, which belonged to the Sabres. From then on, No. 11 and the Sabres were synonymous and etched in NHL history.
#59: Tim Schaller (2015-2016)
Schaller was a free agent signing out of Providence who appeared in 35 games for the Sabres and collected 5 points. He has since had a solid career with the Boston Bruins, Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings. He is another player who, while he didn’t make a major impact, holds a special place in Sabres’ history as the only player to wear No. 59.
#60: Paul Gaustad (2002-2003)
Gaustad holds the record for the shortest time wearing a unique number for the Sabres. Although most will remember him as No. 28, he spent just under six minutes of a game against the Colorado Avalanche in 2003 wearing the number 60.
After the 2004-05 lockout, Gaustad wore his famous No. 28 and became a regular fixture in the middle of the ice. His faceoff ability and defensive prowess were appreciated and remembered fondly, even if his tenure as No. 60 was unmemorable at best.
#64: David Moravec (1999)
Moravec is one of 13 players to only play one game for the Sabres. He’s also the only player to parade the No. 64 around the ice. In the history of the organization, that number was seen in blue and gold for just over 15 minutes in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct 2, 1999. Moravec, wherever you are, thank you for giving us something interesting to think about during the Sabres’ longest offseason ever.
#68: Victor Olofsson (2019-2021)
Victor Olofsson is the second current member of the Sabres’ squad to support a unique number. When he arrived at the end of the 2018-19 season, he was wearing No. 41. Once he knew he had a more established place on the team, he switched to No. 68.
In the 2020-21 offseason, just after Evan Rodrigues was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Olofsson made the move to No. 71.
#70: Alex Nylander (2017-18)
Nylander was afforded minimal opportunity to make an impact with the Sabres. He only played 19 games with the club, spending 116 games with the Rochester Americans. In seven of those 19 games, he donned the No. 70. He scored the first goal and first assist of his career wearing that number, which should be special for him and he remains a part of Sabres’ history as the only player to wear it.
#75: Connor Clifton (2023-24)
The newest member of the list, Connor Clifton is the only Sabre to put on the No. 75. He’s going to be with the club until at least the 2026 off-season, so fans will be able to enjoy the former fifth-round pick’s unique number for a few years at minimum. He might be more well-known for his tenure with the Boston Bruins and his pension for racking up penalty minutes, but he’s certainly got a place in our hearts for being the only Sabre to wear this number.
#83: Domenic Pittis (1998-1999)
Pittis is another interesting player in Sabres’ sweater history. In two separate stints spanning just three seasons and only 14 total games, Pittis managed to wear the Nos. 83, 28, 12 and 38 – an astounding rate of three and a half games per number! He averaged a new sweater every 38 minutes.
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Although he is an Americans legend, injuries and numerous call-ups limited his time with the Sabres. I suppose the more often you switch numbers, the more likely you are to eventually pick one so random that you end up in an article for The Hockey Writers two decades later.
#84: Phil Varone (2013-2016)
Like so many before him, Varone is one of the lost prospects of so many lost seasons. We may forget the nine points he put up in 42 games, but we will never forget how…well…maybe we will just forget everything.
#86: Christian Wolanin (2022)
Wolanin is the newest member of the one-and-done club for Buffalo, having played just a singular game in 2021-22. His 8:18 of ice time was completely unremarkable, solely putting two blocks and two takeaways on the scoresheet. Still, he’s the only player ever to put No. 86 in the blue and gold. Much like Moravec, a thank you is in order for Wolanin for giving that one game of hockey a reason to put him down in the Sabres’ record books.
#91: Drake Caggiula (2021-22)
Undrafted left wing Drake Caggiula was the only Sabre ever to wear the number 91, which is particularly surprising considering how many goal-scorers have donned that number in the NHL over the years. His eight points in 29 games are nothing to be impressed by, but it doesn’t really matter when he’s a piece of Sabres history anyway.
#92: Alex Nylander (2018-19)
The only player to appear on this list twice, Nylander is also the only Sabre to don the No. 92 sweater. With hopes of keeping a regular spot in the NHL, Nylander dropped his No. 70 after just seven games and went with his father Michael’s No. 92. Perhaps he felt that by choosing his own number instead of simply using the one he was given he could garner more respect. As excellent as it looked aesthetically, his four points in 12 games didn’t inspire much confidence. Now under contract with the Penguins, Nylander will only be remembered in Buffalo for wearing two unique numbers.
#96: Anders Bjork (2021-23)
Last but not least is Anders Bjork, who spent parts of three seasons in Buffalo (including a fun one-game stint in 2022-23) and is the sole possessor of No. 96 in Sabres’ history. His tenure with the Sabres, like many on this list, was somewhat unimpressive, only putting up 14 points in his 73 games with Buffalo. Thanks for giving us something to cheer for anyway, Anders!
Which Numbers are Next?
What a wild ride through these 13 unique Sabres numbers. Many may one day be worn again while some will never be. What could the next chapter of unique Sabres numbers look like?
The team has never had a 66, 69, 79, 85, 87, 94, 97, 98 or 99. Ninety-nine is obviously off-limits due to the Wayne Gretzky factor, so unless he falls out of favor with the NHL in a big way, that number probably won’t be handed out. Spoiler alert: that’ll never happen.
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Would the Sabres dare to slap a No. 66 on a hot-shot prospect? Could they throw a No. 98 to a nice young sniper? Maybe they can find an offensive winger and stitch a 90s number to his sweater. Whatever the case, the franchise could get a little more creative with their sweater number distributions.