Good questions - The Fans Speak Out

Hockey Digest, March, 2003 by Tony Perfetti

As long as I can remember, I have never seen a goalie serve as the team captain, wearing the big "C" on his jersey. Has there ever been a goalie that wore the big "C," and if so, who was it and when? If the answer is no, than why not?

Also, to my recollection, the NHL All-Star Game has never been played in Buffalo. Either way, I think the All-Star Game should come to Buffalo. It would make the NHL look good in the eyes of the Buffalo fans. By doing this, it would be saying that after all the hell the Rigas family put the Sabres and the fans of Buffalo through, the NHL stands behind the fans and the Sabres.

Tony Perfetti
Lewiston, N.Y.

Tony, according to NHL rules, a goalie cannot be a captain because of the confusion it would cause if he left the crease to talk to the referees, though many goalies are such great leaders that they serve as de facto captains on the ice. As for the All-Star Game, it was in fact played in Buffalo. The year was 1978, and the Wales Conference defeated the Campbell 3-2 in overtime in front of 16,433 fans. Considering the future of the Sabres is so muddled right now, we're not recommending you hold your breath waiting for the All-Stars to come back to the Snowbelt.