BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
As I sat in the press box located in the upper level of the KeyBank Center watching Rob Ray being inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame, I found my mind wondering back some 37 years. That’s how long Ray has been with the Sabres organization.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 37 years. During that time I watched Ray become an enforcer with the Sabres for 14 of his 16 seasons in the NHL, brought fans in Buffalo to their feet every time he fought while accumulating 3207 minutes in penalties.
The one other thing I remember about Ray the player is that, win or lose, he was always available for a comment after a game. And usually a good one.
That’s why I wasn’t totally surprised when the late Sabres broadcasting great, Rick Jeanneret, talked Ray into becoming his broadcast partner and continue his career with the Sabres.
During his acceptance speech, Ray spoke of the legendary broadcasting great saying, “I miss you buddy. We all do.”
Probably the most important side of Ray that fans saw Friday night was Ray the husband, father and son. On hand for the celebration were Ray’s wife, daughter, son as well as his mother and father, who travelled to Buffalo from the Rays hometown of Stirling, Ont.
And if there was one thing that Ray made clear to those in attendance is that Buffalo is now his home and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
His charity work in the area is well known, especially with the Sabres alumni association and always being a part of the distribution of toys to underprivileged children on Christmas Eve. And over the years Ray has made and still makes unscheduled visits to local hospitals, arriving unannounced in many cases.
If there was one thing I saw in Ray Friday night is a soft side. Following standing ovations as well as verbal tributes to Ray, there came a moment when Ray quickly wiped his eyes. Crying is not a part of Rays makeup.
But the Hall of Fame tribute brought him very close to tears. But in typical Ray fashion, he “fought” them back. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
