The Buffalo Sabres have revealed that Rob Ray, a former player and broadcaster, will be inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame for the 2024-2025 season. This announcement took place before the home crowd at KeyBank Center on Saturday night during the game against the Florida Panthers.
Few have made as significant an impact on the Sabres organization as Ray, who played 14 seasons with the team, participating in 889 games. After retiring, he joined the Sabres’ broadcast team and has been in that role since the 2003-2004 season. Additionally, Ray remains active in the Sabres alumni and various charities within the Buffalo area.
**Playing Career**
Recognized as one of the top enforcers in NHL history, Rob Ray amassed 3,207 penalty minutes during his time with the Sabres and the Ottawa Senators. Standing six feet tall and weighing 220 pounds, he was not the largest player but was known for his powerful punches and fearless demeanor.
A distinctive tactic of Ray’s during fights was to remove his jersey and sometimes his shoulder pads, making it difficult for opponents to hold onto him. This approach granted him an advantage in fights and eventually led to the introduction of a rule requiring players to have their jerseys tied down, colloquially referred to as the “Rob Ray” rule due to his frequent use of the technique.
**Sabres Broadcast**
Rob Ray continues to contribute to the Sabres as a color commentator, a role he has filled since 2012 after succeeding Harry Neale. He is present between the benches for each home game broadcast.
Ray has also made appearances on the Sabres Hockey Network’s pregame, intermission, and postgame shows, which air on both cable and radio.
**Community**
Ray is an active member of the Buffalo community, which he now regards as home. He serves as the president of the Sabres Alumni Association and plays a key role in connecting the alumni with the new generation of the organization.
Additionally, he has taken on a role as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Junior Sabres. In terms of charitable work, Ray is involved with Roswell Park and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
His induction into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame is both well-earned and arguably long overdue, though the date of the induction has yet to be announced.
