Here are some thoughts regarding Rick Martin, as observed by Rimas Musteikis who attended today’s memorial:
Ian Mcpherson, one of the speakers, spoke those words with reverence at today’s memorial for tragically departed Buffalo Sabre Rick Martin. Earlier, when my buddy Dave and I got there we were treated to mostly Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond music which must have been Richard Martin’s favorites.
The memorial stage was set on the ice in front of section 105 with four Rick Martin pics in the background, his image on the scoreboard above, and “Martin 7” all around the HSBC arena on the blue advertising ribbon that goes all the way around.
New owner Terry Pegula, former and current Sabre greats, and ex-Buffalo Bills (Jeff Nixon) were among the thousands of people honoring the memory of Number 7.
Some of Rick Martin’s thousands of jokes were shared. Here are a couple:
Why shouldn’t Hamilton Ontario get an NHL franchise?
Because then the Toronto Maple Leafs would want one.
What do the Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors and Maple Leafs all have in common?
None of them can play hockey.
An outstanding job by Master of Ceremonies Ed Kilgore. I heard that the proceedings were streamed online, as well as live local TV with Channel 2 and YNN. There was a cool silverish memorial pin worn by many of the participants with a “Rico 7” on it.
Gilbert Perreault, Hall of Fame Center of the French Connection, remembered that Rick Martin has the eye of the tiger for scoring goals. And what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.
Rene Robert, their right winger, said that grief was the price for laughter – life is not worthwhile if you cannot laugh at it. Then he thanked ex-Sabre coach Joe Crozier for putting the French Connection together.
Danny Gare talked about that one season where going into the last game he had 47 goals, and Rico had 49. Danny got his hat trick, with Rico assisting on all three goals. But Rico did not score (In that game Rick Martin shot a puck so hard, he scored, the puck went through the net, but without replay the refs would not verify the goal). After the game, Rico said that he had scored 50 goals previously, and did not to feel badly about missing that plateau this time… they would both get 50 next time! What great spirit!
The current voice of the Sabres, Rick Jeanerette, electrified the crowd, and prepared us for a wonderful montage video on the scoreboard, with the Eagles Hotel California in the background.
I loved the Gordon Highlanders bagpipes, some 25 of them – they played near the beginning, and at the very end a wonderful rendition of Amazing Grace, ending with a single bagpiper playing the melody line… walking out while fading into the distance. What an incredible finish!
State Trooper Frank Broderick said that after his career Rico used to hang in Section 210. And that he had the most amazing hand-eye coordination of anyone he had ever seen… not just with the hockey stick, nor just the golf club… but Rico just never missed tossing an empty beverage container into a trash can!
Brother Robert Martin talked about how Richard Lionel Martin always went the extra step, telling a story about how he often gave an autograph to a cancer victim, but then followed up with him, visited him, and sometimes saw recoveries, unbeknown to the media.
Son Corey said that his dad thought the new ownership brought a renewed sense of optimism to the team. And a quarter of a century with his dad was more than anyone could ask for. He thanked the thousands of fans for attending, and envisioned his father up above overlooking the proceedings and smiling with the best seat in the house.
Folks, if you have any memorable Rick Martin stories or wonderful jokes, please share them with us here at Buffalo Rising!
Picture 1: Rick Martin memorial shot from scoreboard
Picture 2: Rick Martin rookie card (with number 8, before he became number 7!!)
Picture 3: Memorial handout, front
Picture 4: Memorial handout, back