Fans of the Buffalo Sabres can now vote for the 2025-26 Rick Martin Memorial Award, according to a Mar. 25 announcement from the team. The award honors a Sabres player who demonstrates “on-ice excellence, resilience and dedication to the community,” with voting open through Sunday, March 29 at Sabres.com/Rico.
The award is presented by Gold Ring Partners: KeyBank, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and LECOM. The first round of voting will determine three finalists, who will be announced in April. A second round of voting will then follow before the winner is revealed during Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday, April 15.
“The Rico” has been awarded since 2021 in memory of Rick Martin, a left wing known for his role on the “French Connection” line and as one of the franchise’s top goal scorers. After retiring from hockey, Martin remained active in Buffalo until his death in 2011.
Past recipients include Sam Reinhart (2021), Kyle Okposo (2022), and Alex Tuch (2023–2025).
