Former Sabres PR director remembers Martin

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Anyone who watched Buffalo hockey in the 1970's has a memory of Rick Martin. A former public relations director with the Buffalo Sabres who worked during those glory years is remembering Martin.

Paul Wieland worked for the Sabres for 25 years. He not only considered "Rico" a close friend, but also a "devilish partner" during practical jokes and humorous moments.

Wieland remembers just how accurate Martin was on the ice. He says one night after practice, Martin bet him he could hit the post on the goal net eight times out of ten. Wieland took him up on the bet, and Martin nailed the post nine times out of ten. Wieland owed him lunch after that bet. He also described to us a time when a puck flew over the glass during a game.

Wieland said, "And it struck my wife, Betsy, right in the chin. In her seat on the opposite side of the ice. And she went back for x-rays, but she wanted to see the rest of the game. So about two weeks later at a party, Rico came up to me and my wife at a party and said, "Betsy, I don't see any swelling in your jaw. I guess I just can't shoot like I used to!""

"Of all the people I met in my 25 years in hockey, he's remained a friend, he will be a friend, because I'll think of him every day for the rest of my life as I think of a lot of the guys from the Sabres," added Wieland.

Wieland left the Sabres in the mid 1990's and has since become a journalism professor at St. Bonaventure University. He recently published a book on the many cherished stories he has with players and coaches.