Gilbert Perreault, the first and only Buffalo Sabres player to score 500 career goals, reflected on his milestone achievement as the team marked its 40th anniversary on March 9. The historic moment took place at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in a game against the New Jersey Devils.
Perreault, then 35 years old and in his 16th season with the Sabres, had scored his 499th goal in the previous game after a month-long wait. “People were waiting for it,” Perreault said. “They’d been waiting for a few games.”
The milestone was reached at 10:44 of the second period when Mike Foligno passed to Perreault, who quickly scored without hesitation. “I didn’t hold onto the puck for once,” he said.
Following the goal, teammates left the bench to celebrate with Perreault on the ice, lifting him into the air. The scene became an iconic image in Sabres history, with Perreault seated on the shoulders of Foligno and Doug Smith—a photograph he still keeps at home.
Perreault concluded his career with 512 goals, ranking seventh in National Hockey League history at retirement. He remains Buffalo’s all-time leader in goals, assists, points, and games played. Reflecting on that night against New Jersey, Perreault said: “It was a great, great night. A great night to remember.”
