Former Sabres GM Meehan Dies At 79

Gerry Meehan, a member of the inaugural Buffalo Sabres team in 1970, passed away on June 5th at the age of 79.

Meehan became captain of the blue and gold in 1971-72, the club’s second season. The Toronto, ON native played an important role as the expansion Sabres reached the Stanley Cup playoffs in just the third year of the club’s existence in 1973.

“He was good with everybody,” former Sabres star center Gilbert Perreault said. “A first-class guy. When I came in those early years, he was very good to me. I was very glad for him that he got the “C” after Floyd Smith. I think he was the right guy to give the “C” to. Everybody respected him. He knew how to speak to everybody.”

In those early years in a much different media landscape, Meehan did not receive the recognition he deserved for his playing ability.

‘He was a really good player, he scored thirty goals for the Sabres. But things were different then, with a small market franchise like Buffalo with the media. In the early 70’s many times there were only two reporters in the dressing room. Not like it is today.

Following a ten-year NHL playing career, Meehan obtained his law degree from the University of Buffalo in 1982 and served as the Sabres assistant general manager beginning in 1984 under then general manager Scotty Bowman.

Meehan Becomes Sabres GM

Meehan was promoted to general manager in Buffalo in 1986. During his tenure as GM, Meehan worked with then Sabres director of scouting Don Luce to orchestrate the defection of winger Alexander Mogilny from the Soviet Union to the National Hockey League and into the Sabres lineup.

Meehan also brought top talent to Buffalo with trade acquisitions, which included Dale Hawerchuk, Pat LaFontaine, and Dominik Hasek being added to the Sabres roster.

Meehan was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall Of Fame in 2023.